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Friday, November 21, 2008
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NRD announces program to cut irrigated acres
The manager of the Curtis-based Middle Republican Natural Resources District announced a 2009 pilot program Wednesday to reduce irrigated acres.
Dan Smith outlined the goals in Cambridge at the Nebraska Republican River Management District Association, which includes the NRDs and surface water irrigation districts in Nebraska's part of the basin.
— Full Story »
Rep River officials think there's enough water for next year
It's been a long time since Republican Basin officials could say with confidence that there should be enough water for Nebraska's uses in the coming year.
With increased 2008 precipitation, full lakes and reduced groundwater pumping, Nebraska Department of Natural Resources officials said Wednesday there should be enough water in 2009.
— Full Story »
 BREAKING NEWS
Explosion rocks Gothenburg elevator
The area around the All Points Cooperative elevator that exploded today (Thursday) at 3:15 a.m. was cordoned off as Nebraska State Fire Marshal’s investigators searched for a cause.
One employee was in the area at the time of the blast. Initially, the employee was taken to Gothenburg Memorial Hospital, but Ed Foster, the cooperative’s CEO, said during a 10 a.m. press conference that the employee has been transferred to St. Elizabeth Hospital in Lincoln for assessment of burns. — Full Story » |
 Laurel corn grower responds to ethanol criticism
The National Corn Growers Association, under the leadership of its president Bob Dickey of Laurel, responded strongly Tuesday to ethanol critics who launched another wave of attacks on corn and ethanol. This attack on ethanol comes from the same group that failed earlier this year in its efforts to reduce the renewable fuels standard and increase the nation's dependence on foreign oil, the association said. — Full Story » |
 Corn harvest making ground but still behind
With corn harvest two and a half weeks behind as of Sunday, corn yields have been mostly better than expected, but further delays could cause problems. Wet weather last week imposed yet another impediment to this year's harvest, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service, Nebraska Field Office. Last week, Grand Island received 1.46 inches of rain on what has already been a wet fall. — Full Story » |
 Harvest falling far behind schedule
A wet spring, combined with less than average summer temperatures have delayed corn harvest this year.
"Normally, harvest is 75-80 percent complete as we approach Thanksgiving," said Kent Weems, branch manager of North Platte Ag Valley Coop. "Right now, we are running at about 35-45 percent, and some people are as low as 15 percent complete." — Full Story » |
Report highlights economic benefits of ethanol
A new report released this week by an analyst at the consulting firm LECG LLC noted that since 1978, the U.S. ethanol industry has generated an estimated $33.4 billion in tax revenues for the federal government and nearly $17 billion of additional tax revenues for state and local governments. The figures are in 2008 dollars. — Full Story »
Farmers convert to alternative agriculture
Melisa "Misy'' Fulton is a town kid who fell in love with farming, though not the high-tech, high-dollar and high-risk world of conventional agriculture. She and her husband, Terry, moved back to his hometown of Auburn, Neb., in 2000 to partner with his father on 1,000 acres of conventionally raised corn and soybeans. — Full Story »
 Pleasanton man retires after almost 40 years of keeping farmers going
Every morning at about 7 a.m., Delmer Shafto is in the back room at the Trotter Service Station in Pleasanton drinking coffee with a group of regulars. "We all get in here every day and sit and gossip," he said, laughing. Shafto, 65, said that's one thing that won't change just because he retired last week from Trotter Fertilizer after almost 38 years of hauling fuel to area farmers. — Full Story » |
 Nebraska water guide suitable for framing
A new map bottles Nebraska's water issues into a poster-size package. The free map from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln depicts a wide range of information about Nebraska's water resources. It goes into great depths about underground water. The 24-by-36-inch "Nebraska Water Map'' is a collection of more than a dozen color graphics, each depicting different aspects of the state's water riches and challenges.
— Full Story » |
How weather affects corn stalk quality
Fall rainfall is good for the next growing season but it can take a toll on corn stalk quality by reducing its feed value in combined fields in several ways. Bruce Anderson, University of Nebraska Extension forage specialist, says the most easily noticed is how fast stalks get soiled or trampled into the ground when fields are muddy. — Full Story »
Nebraska students tour Taiwan
Three Nebraska youth are currently traveling over 7,000 miles from Nebraska to Taiwan. During a week-long visit to Taiwan, the students will learn about the country’s agricultural industry and share their Nebraska agricultural experiences with their hosts. — Full Story »
LRNRD landowners must pay irrigated land
taxes to maintain acre certification, water allocation
Lower Republican Natural Resources District farmers must pay irrigated land taxes on acres with water allocations or face losing their ability to irrigate the land in the future.
At their meeting Thursday in Alma, LRNRD board members decided to keep that rule in place, even though it's different than a current state tax rule. — Full Story »
 Mother Nature tests corn producers' mettle
Dawson County corn producers were scrambling Monday to get a few more acres combined before rain, sleet and snow arrived to bring yet another harvest delay. Across the state producers are struggling to get in a crop that is nearly three weeks behind normal.
— Full Story » |
Is your windbreak less effective than it used to be?
As windbreaks age, they deteriorate and simple maintenance may not assure their continued efficiency, said a Nebraska Forest Service specialist. By walking the windbreak from time to time, a landowner can keep tabs on its health, said Conservation Forestry Specialist, Steve Lyda. These checkups allow landowners to see when water’s needed, when a dead branch needs to be removed or when a newly-established windbreak is getting too much competition from weeds or grass. They also allow for assessing any insect or disease damage. — Full Story »
58 percent of Nebraska corn is in the bin
Nebraska's corn harvest jumped to 58 percent complete as of Nov. 9, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said today. That's a big increase from last week's 35 percent complete, although harvest is still well behind the five-year average of 85 percent completed by now. — Full Story »
Friendlier climate for livestock in Nebraska
According to Roger Berry, field director for A-FAN—the Alliance for the Future of Agriculture in Nebraska, some states are implementing tougher regulations for animal agriculture, while the climate for livestock production in Nebraska is actually getting friendlier. He discussed this topic at a recent agriculture conference in Lincoln, Nebraska. — Full Story »
Sustainable Crops and
Livestock Systems Conference set for Dec. 6
“Keeping Agriculture Viable for the Next Generation” is the theme of the sustainable Crops and Livestock Systems Conference, scheduled for Dec. 6 at Sidney. The workshop will take place at Western Nebraska Community College, 371 S. College Drive, from 8:45 a.m. until 3:45 p.m. It sponsored by the University of Nebraska, Nebraska Sustainable Agriculture Society (NSAS) and Organic Crop Improvement Association (OCIA) NE Chapter No. 2. — Full Story »
Growing season battle to bitter end
The 2008 growing season has been a dynamic one to say the least.
"2008 is a growing season that growers and people in agriculture are going to remember for a long time to come," said Extension Educator Keith Glewen. "It's going to be a battle to the bitter end to get those crops in the bin."
— Full Story »
 Powering up wind industry
offers opportunities, challenges
For centuries, entrepreneurs have used windmills to pump water, operate sawmills and flour mills, and generate power. So constructing massive, modern windmills to generate a significant part of the nation's electricity seems like a logical advancement in harnessing wind for a 21st-century world.
— Full Story » |
 Buffer strip program sign-up deadline approaching
The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) would like to remind landowners and producers of the approaching November 15 deadline to apply for the Nebraska Buffer Strip Program. Applications are currently being accepted for filter strips and riparian forest buffers. — Full Story » |
USDA reduces crop forecast
The USDA Monday slightly reduced its forecast for this year's nationwide corn and soybean harvest, although the federal agency continues to predict the second highest corn harvest on record and fourth largest soy bean harvest. — Full Story »
 Ag land prices may be wilting
After several years of double-digit growth, agricultural land values might be on the decline. While prices for cropland remain high, some properties are fetching 10 to 20 percent less than they would have a few months ago, agricultural real estate agents said. — Full Story » |
Plant trees and shrubs suited for Nebraska's weather
Now is a good time to examine your landscape trees and shrubs to determine which ones may need replacing in the near future. When planting trees next spring, it’s a good idea to keep Nebraska’s weather conditions in mind when deciding what to plant. — Full Story »
Home Heating - Cutting the Costs
The weather has turned colder and if you haven’t thought about how much money it takes to heat your home, you will soon be. There are some simple things to do to help winterize your home. Start with weather stripping and caulking. Both are inexpensive and can pay back in immediate savings on your heating bills. — Full Story »
Sorghum producers association offers scholarships
The Nebraska Grain Sorghum Producers Association is again offering a $400 scholarship to a graduating high school senior or to a student currently enrolled in post-high school education. — Full Story »
Drought management workshop set for Nov. 19 in Imperial
Dry times call for changes in ranch land management — and how to make those changes will be the topic of a meeting Wed., Nov. 19, at the Community Center in Imperial, Neb. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. with a hosted meal, followed by speakers including Walt Davis of Bennington, Okla., Jerry Volesky of North Platte, Neb., and Bruce Troester of Marsland, Neb.
— Full Story »
Conestoga FFA flies through October
The Conestoga FFA flew through October with fundraising, community service projects, contests, and conventions. The FFA started off October by running concession stands at volleyball and football games. — Full Story »
Freeman FFA Chapter News
The FFA year has started with a bang here at Freeman. We have 67 members this year, 42 high school members and 25 junior high members. — Full Story »
Norris FFA Chapter News
The 2008-2009 Norris FFA Chapter is made up of 90 members, 9 officers, and 2 advisors. The nine officers include: Amanda Docter, President; Madison Lee; Vice President; Brooke Preston, Secretary; Sarah Wieskamp, Treasurer; Amy Fosler, Reporter; Will Devine, Parliamentarian; Kyle Doeschot, Sentinel; Kelsey Gugat, Activity Chair; and Lauren Ganow, Historian. — Full Story »
Humphrey FFA News
On July 23rd, 2008 FFA members were anxiously waiting to start their journey to Bluebird Nursery in Clarkson, Cargill Meat Solutions in Schuyler, and Behlen’s Manufacturing in Columbus.
Our first stop was Bluebird Nursery where Tom Hamernick educated us on how to propagate and take care of plants, as well as explain to us how his business is run. Mr. Hamernik also told us the business skills needed to run a business.
— Full Story »
Newman Grove FFA News
We are having a great year this year at Newman Grove. We have the privilege to have Mr. Krause back as our advisor. We currently have 49 members in FFA (high school & Jr. High). This semester is pretty full of activities and events. — Full Story »
Schuyler-Area student named national finalist for FFA Award
The National FFA Organization announced recently that Sarah Jane Wheeldon of Schuyler was selected as a national finalist for the National FFA Proficiency Award in Turf Grass Management-Entrepreneurship/Placement. — Full Story »
B. Bow FFA harvests experience
The Broken Bow FFA Chapter had an opportunity this past growing season to gain experience in learning more about the field of agronomy. — Full Story »
Burwell student places at National FFA Convention
The Burwell FFA Chapter had seven members attend National FFA Convention at Indianapolis. Members attending were Jordan Anderson, Garrett Drudz, Warren Michalski, James Henrichs, Kaden Goff, Anna Owen, and Karly Vodehnal. — Full Story »
Greeley-Wolbach FFA News
The Greeley-Wolbach FFA chapter is having a very productive year this year. In June our horse judging teams participated at the Pitzer’s Horse Judging Contest and the State Horse Judging Contest. — Full Story »
Ord FFA has a great start to school year
On October 1st the Ord FFA range judging teams embarked for the pinnacle of the range judging season- the state range judging contest. — Full Story »
Wheeler Central FFA News
On June 2nd, the Wheeler Central FFA Chapter picked up trash along Highway 281 north of Bartlett. The chapter walks the highway ditches every year. The FFA has “adopted” the highway two miles north of Bartlett. On June 24th, the Wheeler Central FFA Chapter picked up flowers at the Bartlett cemetery. — Full Story »
S-E-M FFA Chapter attends National convention
Seven members of the Sumner Eddyville Miller FFA Chapter recently attended the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis Indiana from October 22-25. — Full Story »
St. Paul FFA News
The St. Paul FFA chapter currently has 71 members. We have nine officers: Beth Wroblewski-President, Krista Scheer-Vice President, Kira Putcher-Secretary, Crysta Naylor-Reporter, Kenny Stone-Treasurer, Blake Thomsen-Sentinel, Kelly McCarty-Parliamentarian, Andy Masat-Master of Technology, and Brandon Starkey-Master Chief. Our advisor is Mr. Doug Voigt. — Full Story »
Johnson-Brock students qualify for National FFA competition
In January 2008, Johnson-Brock students were offered agriculture education classes via distance learning from Mrs. Christy Hodges. They were also offered membership in the Johnson County Central FFA Chapter. Soon after becoming members of the local FFA Chapter, they discovered a competition sponsored by Chevron Delo® for FFA members. Four members from Johnson-Brock formed a tractor restoration team. Jim Gerking, a strong supporter of the Johnson Brock School, donated a 1955 Farmall 300 tractor for the team of Craig Teten, Doug Grotrian, Will Bebout and Tessa Wellsandt to begin restoring. — Full Story »
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