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Local Interest
PRF Insurance: For All Perennial Forages, Including Hay Crops
By Aaron Berger, Nebraska Extension Livestock Educator
The use of Pasture Range and Forage Insurance in Nebraska has increased significantly over the last several years as producers have used this tool to help offset forage production losses due to lack of precipitation. In 2025, over 315 million acres of perennial forage production was insured for precipitation in the United States. What many producers don’t realize is that this insurance is available for all perennial forage crops, including alfalfa, sub-irrigated meadows, and even irrigated pasture.
The thought of buying precipitation insurance for hay production on sub-irrigated meadows and irrigated perennial forages often doesn’t come to mind for many producers. However, when it doesn’t rain, sub-irrigated meadows produce less, and more irrigation water is needed to get the same level of forage production under a pivot, increasing pumping and equipment costs. For those in parts of the state with water allocations in place, a lack of precipitation directly affects the amount of forage that can be grown under limited irrigation.
An article titled "Pasture, Rangeland, Forage Insurance: Trends, Takeaways, and Sign-Up for 2026 Coverage" highlights the following statistics on Pasture, Rangeland, Forage Insurance.
- National PRF participation has more than doubled since 2019, covering over 296 million acres in 2024.
- On average, producers received $2.19 in indemnities for every $1 paid in premiums from 2019–2024.
- Producers can use RMA’s PRF Rainfall Index Decision Support Tool to evaluate options and develop long-term coverage strategies. To use the tool, go to https://go.unl.edu/PRFTool.
The 2026 year has been extremely dry in much of Nebraska. This is a year when buying insurance would have resulted in large indemnities, which would help to offset loss of perennial forage production on dryland, sub-irrigated meadows, and irrigated grazing or hay production. Insurance indemnities wouldn’t have covered the additional irrigation expenses and economic loss from reduced forage production. It would provide additional income to help with these costs.
The deadline to sign up for 2027 coverage is December 1, 2026. For producers who haven’t utilized this insurance before, the PRF Rainfall Index Decision Support Tool can help them evaluate how this insurance product could work in their operation. The value of forage in Nebraska, both for grazing and hay, continues to increase. Precipitation is the primary driver for forage production in Nebraska. PRF insurance helps offset the risk of insufficient rainfall and compensates producers for reduced forage production due to drought.
Cattle Feed Option in Drought: Grazing Standing Corn
By Aaron Berger | Nebraska Extension Livestock Educator
Pasture and hay are in short supply in much of Nebraska due to drought conditions, while corn prices are currently below the cost of production. These circumstances are prompting consideration of grazing standing corn with the cow herd as a feed option for the rest of the summer, fall, and winter.
Summer Corn Grazing – Drought-Stressed Fields
In some regions, drought-stressed corn may be released by crop insurance and would provide an option for grazing. A Nebraska Extension article titled “Forage Options for Drought-stressed Non-irrigated Vegetative Corn and Nitrate Concerns” provides information on utilizing dryland, drought-stressed corn as a harvested feed or grazing resource. When considering grazing drought-stressed corn, first check herbicide labels for any grazing restrictions.
Will nitrates be a potential concern? Yes, it could be an issue. Cattle should not be turned out hungry. When grazing starts, cattle should self-adapt by eating any developing ears and the tops of plants first and then will be more acclimated to eating the higher nitrate areas lower in the plant. Make sure plenty of clean, fresh water is available to help reduce nitrate risk. Protein is higher when grazing corn in a vegetative stage than as it matures. Depending on the state of maturity of the corn, as well as the stage of production and the cattle's grazing needs, protein supplementation may be needed to meet nutrient requirements.
Upcoming ServSafe® Food Safety Trainings available across the Nebraska Panhandle
Nebraska Extension is continuing to offer ServSafe® Food Safety training across the Nebraska Panhandle in 2026, with several upcoming opportunities still available for food service managers and employees to become certified or renew their knowledge.
These nationally recognized training courses are designed to help restaurants, food trucks, schools, and other food establishments strengthen food safety practices, reduce the risk of foodborne illness, and meet Nebraska certification expectations. With increased emphasis on food safety through updated state regulations aligned with the Nebraska Pure Food Act, having trained and certified staff remains a critical component of safe and successful food service operations.
“ServSafe training helps food establishments build confidence, protect customers, and support consistent, safe operations,” said Ashley Fenning, Nebraska Extension. “We encourage businesses to take advantage of these remaining training opportunities to ensure their staff is prepared and compliant.”
The ServSafe® Food Protection Manager course is a comprehensive, one-day training intended for food establishment owners, managers, and supervisors responsible for overseeing food safety. This course covers essential topics including preventing contamination, time and temperature control, employee health and hygiene, and effective cleaning and sanitation systems. Participants will also learn how to implement safe food-handling procedures throughout the food flow, from purchasing to service. The training includes the course manual, eight hours of instruction, and a proctored ServSafe Food Protection Manager certification exam, allowing participants to complete certification in one session.
Upcoming ServSafe Food Protection Manager Trainings:
- July 9 - from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Prairie Winds Community Center in Bridgeport
- Oct. 6 - from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Box Butte County Extension Office in Alliance
- Nov. 3 - from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Panhandle Research, Extension & Education Center in Scottsbluff
The ServSafe® Food Handler training is a shorter, half-day course designed for employees who handle or prepare food. This training provides practical, easy-to-understand instruction focused on everyday food safety practices. Participants will learn about personal hygiene, prevention of cross-contamination, allergen awareness, time and temperature control, and proper cleaning and sanitation procedures. Each session also includes a proctored ServSafe Food Handler test, allowing participants to complete both training and certification during the course.
All upcoming ServSafe Food Handler Trainings will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- June 9 - Platte Valley Bank Conference Room in Chadron
- Aug. 13 - Cheyenne County Fairgrounds in Sidney
- Dec. 1 - Prairie Winds Community Center in Bridgeport
The cost for the ServSafe Food Protection Manager training is $160 per participant, and the ServSafe Food Handler training is $40 per participant, which includes instruction, materials, and the proctored exam. Registration is required three weeks prior to each course date to allow time for materials to be prepared and mailed.
Participants can register online at https://go.unl.edu/panhandleservsafe2026 or by calling the Morrill County Extension Office at 308-262-1022.
For additional information, contact Ashley Fenning, at 308-262-1022 or astevens4@unl.edu
