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Happenings
2024 Nebraska Farm Custom Rates Report
This report provides a summary of State averages for specific custom operations in Table 1. More detailed information covering the results of the custom rates survey by Nebraska Agricultural Statistical Districts is provided in two parts. Part I of the survey focused on spring and summer farm and ranch operations such as planting, tillage, and baling hay. Part II of the custom rates survey included questions about fall operations such as harvesting, hauling grain and livestock, as well as miscellaneous custom work activities on the farm.
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Other UNL Resources
Elevate Your Expertise with the Midwest FEEDS Practicum
Join us for the Midwest FEEDS (Forage, Education and Efficiency in Diversified Systems) Practicum, a hands-on, multi-session educational program designed to equip participants with essential skills for success in beef cattle production. This unique program leverages the competitive advantages of the Midwest, including access to perennial pastures, annual forages, cover crops, crop residues, and harvested feeds.
Front Page Happenings
2026 Seward County 4-H - Deadlines & Events
February/March
February 16 - Phone -a-Thon
February 7 - Volunteer Brunch & Learn
March 7 - Performing Arts Contest
March 29 - Communication Event
March 31 - 4-H Partner Registration and Payment Due
April/May
April 1 - Diamond Clover Award Planning Sheets Due
April 15 - 4-H Stampede Entries Due
April 23- 4-H Partners Orientation
April 25-26 - 4-H Horse Stampede (Lincoln)
June
June 1 - STATE 4-H HORSE SHOW DUE DATE FOR:
- Online Entries
- Horse I.D. Sheets
- Horsemanship Level Testing
- 2 & 3 yr. old Western Pleasure Affidavit
June 15 - NE State Fair livestock nominations due via www.showstockmgr.com All DNA envelopes due to the Extension Office
*IF PARTICIPATING IN PRE-FAIR CONTESTS, NEED TO ENROLL PRIOR*
- Animal I.D.’s due for Seward County Fair (beef, sheep, meat goat, dairy goat, dairy cow, hog, horse)
- YQCA due (all 4-H’ers must recertify each year if exhibiting beef, sheep, hog, poultry, rabbit, goat, dairy, or other livestock projects)
- 4-H Enrollment Due
- Fair T-Shirt Orders Due - Through Middle Creek Printing. Store opens June 2nd.
July
July 1 - Seward County Fair Pre-Entry closes
Deadline for exhibits to be pre-entered in seward.fairwire.com. Hard copy entry forms available online.
July 1 - Horsemanship Level testing due for County Fair only
July 11-15 - State 4-H Horse Show
July 15 - Fair Clean-Up
TBA - (see June newsletter)- Horticulture, Poultry and Rabbits online pre-fair entries close for Seward County Fair
July 20 - 21 County Fair Horse Show
July 23-26 - Seward County Fair
August /September
August 28-September 7 - Nebraska State Fair (4-H weekend 28-30)
ALL 4-Her‘s - Start working on your Achievement Applications!
October
October 1 - Nominations for volunteer awards, Friend of 4-H, Meritorious Service, and Outstanding 4-H Club due
October 1- 4-H Achievement Applications and award applications due
October 1- Diamond Clover Reports due
November/December
TBA – Achievement Day
December 5 – Holiday Maker Day
January 2027 - College Scholarships due to the Extension Office
LATE FEE POLICY - 4-H Council has enacted a $15 per member late fee for Animal ID sheets or County Fair pre-entries received after the deadline.
LATE ENTRIES OR ID SHEETS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AFTER 7 DAYS PAST THE DEADLINE. FEE MUST BE PAID WITHIN 7 DAYS OF MISSED DEADLINE.
The Siouxland Garden Symposium is being held on April 11th at the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center. This is a one-day event focused on educational gardening. This is an event Dakota County Extension has been involved with for many years in cooperation with SDSU Union County Extension and ISU Outreach and Extension in Woodbury County. This year's sessions include:
- Using AI in the Garden
- Growing Cut Flowers
- Healthy Soil, Happy Gardens: Practical Tips for Testing and Improving Your Soil
- Fruit Growing for the Backyard
Front Page Happenings
📣 Announcing the Heartland Triple Crown Livestock Judging Series!
Get ready for an unforgettable three-day livestock judging experience! The Heartland Triple Crown Livestock Judging Series is coming June 17–19, 2026, bringing together youth from across the region for competition, learning, and celebration as the Great Plains Judging Circuit wraps up its season. This three-day event is open to all states.
Participants will take part in 10 placing classes, enjoy a clinic, and compete for awards in each age division and species. With events hosted in Columbus, Bladen, and Nelson, Nebraska, each day offers something unique—plus fun evening activities, including a BBQ after-party and a final banquet and awards ceremony.
Whether you're a seasoned judge or new to the arena, this is the perfect opportunity to sharpen your skills, meet fellow competitors, and close out the circuit in style.
📅 June 17–19, 2026
📍 Columbus • Bladen • Nelson, Nebraska
🔗 Registration details available at: https://go.unl.edu/lj26
Join us for three exciting days of livestock evaluation, learning, and community. We can’t wait to see you there! More details to come for each day.
Front Page Happenings
"Good Life in Early Life"
From Nebraskans to Nebraskans
The “Good Life in Early Life” podcast, a product of Nebraska Extension’s Early Childhood program, disseminates the latest insights in Early Care and Education (ECE) tailored for a Nebraska audience. The podcast’s mission is to provide a unique platform, delivering scientific information in an accessible manner while uplifting Nebraskans through relatable success stories in early childhood within the state.
The podcast format allows for information to be shared in a timely and responsive manner to meet the emerging needs of parents and educators. Emily Manning, Extension educator and the podcast host, highlights the podcast’s distinctiveness by explaining, “Unlike traditional programming with formal presentations to large groups, a podcast fosters sharing experiences and mutual encouragement, cultivating a supportive community among Nebraskans.”
4-H Projects
Projects provide the basis of the 4-H program by offering various educational experiences. Carrying out a project will help the member "learn by doing" as well as learn "why" things happen the way they do. Project selection is optional for Nebraska 4-H members, with the exception of horse and shooting sports projects. However, youth are encouraged to officially enroll in projects they are interested in. The project enrollment process may help youth learn valuable management skills like goal-setting, record-keeping, planning, and organizing.
