Blog Archives
Week of Feb. 15th Events
This beautiful weather resulting in a warm, dry winter, provides an important opportunity to be watering evergreen trees and lawns. Our horticulture educators have the following information to share. Now is the time to water trees and lawns to prevent desiccation, especially with warm temperatures in the extended forecast. If you want to prevent evergreens from turning ever-brown, take time over the winter to provide supplemental water. Any time air temperatures are above 40°F you can do a slow soak of water around your evergreen trees and shrubs (and even lawns). Allow enough time for the water to infiltrate before temperatures drop below freezing. For information about this and other winter tree care tips read more here: https://water.unl.edu/article/lawns-gardens-landscapes/tree-care-during-winter/.
Friday Conversations: This past week’s conversation on nutrient balance could’ve lasted much of the afternoon as it went two hours over the scheduled time. Will write on that topic next week. Friday Feb. 20th’s conversation will be on Cows, Compost, and Covers. Hear from growers who have converted crop ground to annual forages for grazing and the economics of that, especially compared to corn and soybeans this year. There’s still time to make that change for 2026. We’ll share options for different classes of cattle, including custom grazing if you don’t own/have enough cattle. I’ve heard some growers struggling with landlords/lenders to make that decision. If you are in that situation, please contact me and I’d be happy to talk with them and you. We need more diversity in our operations to spread risk and reduce pests! You’ll also hear how we’re using compost extracts on our farms to aid in biology and other benefits. You’ll also learn from the growers why they use various species of cover crops in their operations and what each species does for their soils and their system. If you’re interested, please join us from 10 a.m.-noon this Friday, Feb. 20th at the 4-H Building in York. RSVP to 402-362-5508 isn’t required, but is helpful to ensure I have enough handouts.
On-Farm Research Updates: There’s several on-farm research updates upcoming with the first being this Tuesday, Feb. 17th at the Holthus Convention Center followed by Feb. 18th at ENREEC near Mead. Program starts at 9 a.m. with registration at 8:30 a.m. If you’re looking to hear what other growers are trying on their farms and their results, it’s a great opportunity. More info.: https://on-farm-research.unl.edu/.
Central Nebraska Soil Health Conference will be held Feb. 18th in Hastings at the Lochland Country Club with program beginning at 9 a.m. and registration at 8 a.m. At that meeting, you will hear from some of our producers utilizing cover crops for grazing with the economics and how they are also reducing inputs in the corn the following year after that cover crop grazing year. You will also hear from growers who are reducing inputs in soybeans using soil health practices. The keynote speaker will share on biochar. More info. and RSVP: https://go.unl.edu/2026soilhealthcon.
York Co. Corn Grower Tour will be held Wed., Feb. 25. We’ll meet at the York Co. Extension Office at 9:40 a.m. First stop will be Timpte Manufacturing in David City. Lunch will be at La Carreta in Seward followed by tours at Hughes Brothers Inc. and Bottle Rocket Brewing Co., both in Seward. Please RSVP to the Extension Office at 402-362-5508 if you’re interested in attending.
February 2022 Events
It seems like January is flying by with hitting winter programming hard! So, with only a few weeks left, wanted to get some early February programs on your radar. But first, sharing a correction for York Co. Corn Grower Banquet on evening of Jan. 20th: the social time begins at 5:30 p.m. with meal at 6:00 p.m.
For those interested in growing or utilizing sorghum, there’s two upcoming opportunities. One Jan. 26 in Lincoln regarding using sorghum food products and another Jan. 27 in Kearney regarding sorghum research. You can view topics and register here: https://www.nebraskasorghum.org/.
For those attending Crop Production Clinics, just FYI that a weed guide is provided with your registration. Reminder Hastings Jan. 19, Kearney Jan. 25, York Jan. 26 and virtual Jan. 28. Register at: https://agronomy.unl.edu/cpc.
Feb. 2 Soil Health Conference: For those who’ve attended the Eastern Nebraska Soil Health Conference in the past, it will be held at David City at the Fairgrounds this year. No details yet but registration starts at 8:30 a.m. with program from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Registration at: https://go.unl.edu/qe45.
Feb. 2 Hamilton Co. Ag Day will be held at fairgrounds in Aurora. This event also qualifies for nitrogen certification credits from UBBNRD. Registration begins at 9 a.m. with program from 9:30-3:30 p.m. Topics include: updates from Nebraska Corn Growers and USDA, Understanding southern power’s pricing changes and options, Understanding on-farm solar and land leasing for solar development, Nitrogen sensors, Nitrogen inhibitors and sources for 2022, Ag water dashboard, and What’s been learned from interseeding cover crops. There’s no charge and lunch is sponsored by Aurora Coop.
Feb. 8 is Merrick Co. Ag Update at fairgrounds in Central City. Registration begins at 9 a.m. with program from 9:30-3:30 p.m. The morning topics are similar to what is being shared in Aurora. In addition to those topics, there will be a farmer-led session on non-chemical weed control options, Weed management in the Platte Valley, Land lease considerations for 2022, Irrigation scheduling from satellite imagery, and Effects of crop residue baling on land and animal performance. There’s no charge and lunch is sponsored by Archer Credit Union.
Practical Cover Crop Management: New this year, I’m hosting a two-hour series (10 a.m.-Noon) each Friday in February at the 4-H Building at York Fairgrounds. When asked questions, I often share that a specific farmer has tried a certain practice and share what was learned, but I often don’t know the specific details farmers ask about. So, my goal with this series is that you hear directly from farmers, build connections and learn together. I envision this series being applicable to crop and livestock producers, ag industry professionals, landlords, and bankers. Please RSVP at 402-362-5508 or jrees2@unl.edu.
- Feb. 4: Back to Basics: Getting started with cover crops is an opportunity for those who have never tried covers or want to learn more. Learn the basics of timing, rates, species, and when to plant for different systems. Learn goals and what has/hasn’t worked for different farmers.
- Feb. 11: Termination timing including planting green is an opportunity to hear from farmers who plant small grains like rye and their experiences in terminating the cover crop prior to planting corn/soybeans or planting green and terminating the cover after planting corn and soybeans.
- Feb. 18: Interseeding cover crops is an opportunity to hear from farmers planting cover crops into growing corn or soybean crops. Learn about herbicide choices, species selection, goals, and what has been learned.
- Feb. 25: Reducing inputs with cover crops is an attempt to discuss numbers/economics around cover crop management. Hear how farmers are reducing nitrogen and chemical inputs by utilizing cover crops. Discuss how we can place an economic value on any soil changes.
JenResources 