Karla H. Jenkins, Cow/Calf and Stocker Management Specialist
Panhandle R&E Center, Scottsbluff
Recently I attended a high school football game just a few blocks from that community’s local cattle auction. As I watched the players warming up, I hardly noticed the bawling noises made by the calves who had been delivered earlier that day in preparation for the big sale the next day.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln scientists conduct agricultural research at many locations in western Nebraska – the Panhandle Research and Extension Center plots; the Panhandle Research Feedlot; the High Plains Ag Lab near Sidney; and in fields belonging to cooperating farmers.
One of UNL’s lesser-known research laboratories attained a landmark this year. It was 100 years ago, in 1918, that the federal government gave the university an 800-acre piece of rangeland in southern Sioux County to conduct regionally relevant research.
By Gary Stone, Extension Educator, Panhandle R&E Center, Scottsbluff
Two weedy vines are receiving a lot of attention this year. Both can be found in our shrubs, trees and fences. If left un-managed, they can smother out shrubs and trees by preventing the tree leaves from photosynthesizing and eventually killing them, especially evergreen trees.
By Kelley Rice, Extension Educator and 4-H Coordinator for Panhandle Extension District
A framework is a frame or structure composed of parts fitted and joined together, according to dictionary.com. It is also a good analogy for the way the multi-faceted parts of Nebraska 4-H work together to fulfill its mission to empower youth to reach their full potential working and learning in partnership with caring adults.
At the core of the 4-H framework is Positive Youth Development, which uses the experiential learning model (learning through experience) coupled with positive relationships with caring adults.
By Sarah Paulos, Nebraska Extension Educator
“Don’t get dirty.”
“Wash your hands!”
This has been the request of parents throughout the ages aimed at children coming in and out from outdoor play. But is this good advice? Can getting dirty and being exposed to germs actually benefit children? The answer is yes.
The Centers for Disease Control stated that the number of Americans with asthma grew by 28 percent from 2001-11. Research has also noted that children who are exposed to more microbes (or germs) early in life develop better immune tolerance to things like asthma and allergies.
By Gary Stone, Extension Educators, Panhandle Extension District
Early Detection and Rapid Response (EDRR) is a concept to identify potential invasive species prior to or just as the establishment of the invasive is taking place. An Integrated Pest Management plan (IPM) can be developed to manage, contain and eradicate the invasive species before it can spread further. This will avoid costly, long-term control efforts.
Twenty-seven percent of respondents to the 2023 Nebraska Rural Poll indicated they are worse off than they were five years ago, up from 21% last year and 11% in 2021.
In Nebraska, ag land values are up about 14 percent over last year, mirroring a nationwide rise in ag real estate prices. Click through to watch Jim Jansen, an agricultural systems economist with Nebraska Extension, talk with RFD-TV about the impact of valuations.