This week sharing on some additional February meetings. Our last Friday February conversation occurs this Friday Feb. 23 on the topic of pesticide resistance and integrated pest management. Dr. Matheus Ribeiro and Dr. Travis (TJ) Prochaska are going to lead us in discussion sharing insights from research and experience. If you’re dealing with pest (weed/insect/disease) issues in a particular field and interested in the topic of resistance management, this conversation will be of interest and helpful. It will be from 10-noon at the 4-H Bldg in York. Please let me know if you’re interested in attending (402-362-5508).

On-Farm Research Updates begin this week depending on which location works best for you. At these meetings, the farmers share on the research they conducted with Extension. That along with the discussion is what makes this meeting so meaningful and one of my favorite winter meetings. Topics include: nutrient management studies, biological products, cultural practices, cover crops, product and production practice studies, RegenAg, and include studies using the latest precision ag technologies. The meetings at all locations begin at 9 a.m. (Registration at 8:30 a.m.). Locations include: ENREEC near Mead (Feb. 20); Beatrice Holiday Inn (Feb. 21); York at Holthus Convention Center (Feb. 27); and Kearney at the Extension Office (Feb. 28). There is no charge, but please RSVP for our meal count and to ensure enough materials at:  https://go.unl.edu/2024ofr.

The 2024 Nebraska Extension Soil Health Conferences are being held at two locations this year: West Point at the Nielsen Community Center on Feb. 29 and the Fairgrounds in Hastings on March 5^th. Speakers differ for the two conferences but the themes of leading researchers sharing, farmers and industry panel discussions, networking opportunities, and exhibitor area will be at both locations. At the Hastings location, I’ll be sharing our on-farm research efforts with using clover in corn/soybeans with two farmers: Mike Spray of Clay Center and Jay Goertzen of Henderson. The conferences begin at 9 a.m. (Registration at 8:30 a.m.) and CCA credits are available. There is no charge but RSVP is needed for lunch. You can find more details on the speakers and can register at:  https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/enreec/nebraska-soil-health-conference/.

Regenerative Ag Conference will be held Feb. 28^th at Concordia University in Seward at the Janzow Campus Center Cattle Conference Room (Building #21 on Campus Map). The program begins at 9 a.m. (Registration at 8:30 a.m.). This event for producers and crop consultants will be an opportunity to learn about regenerative ag practices, what funding is available for these practices, and how to utilize them to be more profitable and sustainable. It will feature speaker Mitchell Hora, farmer and CEO of Continuum Ag, Keith Berns of Green Cover Seed, and a farmer panel: Dennis Fitzke (Edgar), Aaron Studebaker (Davey), and James ‘Hank’ McGowan (McCool Junction). The day will also include a screening of the film To Which We Belong. It’s hosted by the Upper Big Blue, Little Blue, Lower Big Blue, and Lower Platte South NRDs, in collaboration with Green Cover Seed. There is no charge but RSVP is needed as space is limited: https://www.upperbigblue.org/regenerative-ag.

Returning to the Farm is a workshop series for families who are in the transition process of bringing members back to the farm or ranch. It’s one of the more important programs Extension offers and I can say it was helpful for me and my family to attend. It will begin with a two-day workshop in Kearney for multi-generational families on March 8 and 9 at the office of Nebraska Extension in Buffalo County, 1400 E 34th St. The series assists families and agricultural operations with developing financial plans and successful working arrangements to meet their unique needs. It will guide families in developing estate and transition plans, setting personal and professional goals, and improving the communication process between family members. The workshop fee is $75 per person on or before March 1. March 2, the fee increases to $85 per person. Registration includes dinner on March 8 and lunch on March 9; it also includes two follow-up virtual workshops. More info. and registration at: https://cap.unl.edu/rtf24.