Nebraska Extension Scotts Bluff County

Local Interest

Are you planning to direct harvest dry beans?

By John Thomas, Extension Educator, Box Butte County

In recent years more growers in the central high plains are moving toward direct harvest of dry edible beans instead of the conventional method of undercutting/windrowing, and then combining.

Direct harvest is accomplished by one pass with the combine. About half the time a crop desiccant herbicide is applied pre-harvest when direct harvesting beans.

Currently in the Panhandle more than 20 percent of growers are direct harvesting their dry beans. Other growing regions such as North Dakota, Michigan and Canada are using direct harvest for the majority of their dry bean harvest.

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Five things to improve your Quicken record-keeping-Panhandle Perspectives

By Jessica Groskopf, Extension Educator

While it's still fresh in your mind, now is the time to make changes to your farm or ranch record keeping system.

There are many programs available to help organize a farm or ranch’s financial information. Nebraska Extension has been teaching Quicken courses for the past few months. Quicken is an affordable and flexible system that can easily be used for most farms and ranches. Anybody who already has Quicken can take these four steps do to improve their Quicken file for 2017.

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Wildlife management along the Platte River: Panhandle Perspectives

Robert Wilson, Professor Emeritus
Panhandle Research and Extension Center, Scottsbluff

As the North and South Platte Rivers flow through Nebraska they have created rich riparian areas adjacent to the river. Some of these areas have been colonized by invasive weeds, some are used for livestock forage, and many are managed for wildlife.

Landowners have made substantial investments in these properties to control invasive plants. After plant suppression the challenge for land managers is to introduce more desirable plant species that can help restore the land to a more sustainable state. Introducing perennial grasses, legumes and forbs can provide forage for grazing, wildlife and competition with invasive plants. 

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Medusahead Grass – invasive species that may come to western Nebraska-Panhandle Perspective

By Gary Stone, Extension Educator, Panhandle R&E Center, Scottsbluff

Early Detection and Rapid Response (EDRR) is a concept to identify potential invasive species prior to or just as the invasive is becoming established. An integrated pest management plan can be developed to manage, contain and eradicate the invasive species before it can spread further, avoiding costly, long-term control efforts.

Two invasive grasses, Ventenata and Medusahead, have been identified in parts of Wyoming. Both are slowly spreading east. While neither have been identified in Nebraska, it’s important to be aware of what these grasses look like, how they spread and be ready to deal with them should they show up in Nebraska.

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Worried that the emerald ash borer is in your ash tree?

      Are you wondering if the emerald ash borer (EAB) is here, in your yard, perhaps in your community in western Nebraska? Have neighbors or other persons told you it is already here?

      EAB was found in an Omaha park and in Cass County in June 2016. But it has not been confirmed nor identified in western Nebraska by the Nebraska Forest Service or the Nebraska Department of Agriculture. Any reports that EAB is in western Nebraska are not correct, according to Rachel Allison, western forest health specialist with the Nebraska Forest Service.

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Women in Agriculture Conference set for April 7 at Sidney - Panhandle Perspectives

The Women in Agriculture Conference:  Improving Agriculture, Improving Lives, will feature information and advice about a wide range of subjects: coping with stress, preserving food, creating sustainable landscapes, setting priorities, and preparing for disasters.

This year’s conference is scheduled for Friday, April 7, 2017 at Sidney. It will run from 8:15 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. at the Country Inn & Suites, 664 Chase Blvd., Sidney.

The conference is intended for women who are involved in agriculture improve their decision-making, increase understanding, and enhance their well-being in relation to their farm, ranch or agriculture-related business.

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4-H Speech Contest announces Grand and Reserve results

4-H Speech Contest announces Grand and Reserve results

June 4, 2023
Fifteen 4-H youth gathered for the Scotts Bluff County Speech Contest on June 1, at the UNL Panhandle Research Extension and Education Center in Scottsbluff.

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Tractor safety course teaches students safety and when to say no

Tractor safety course teaches students safety and when to say no

June 4, 2023
Nebraska Extension and Central States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, College of Public Health, held an annual “tractor safety” training course on June 1 at the Legacy of the Plains Museum in Gering.

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Older Tractors Still a Danger in Agriculture

Older Tractors Still a Danger in Agriculture

June 1, 2023
Recently a small utility tractor rollover fatality in Southeast Nebraska is a wake-up call to the dangers involved in operating older tractors, without rollover protection.

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Wheat variety trial field tours across Nebraska in June

Wheat variety trial field tours across Nebraska in June

May 25, 2023
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Crop Performance Testing program will sponsor wheat variety trial field tours in six locations across Nebraska, from Perkins to Banner County, starting June 12 - 15.

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