Coming Events
Feb. 8, 2012, 9:00 a.m. – Center Pivot Irrigation Management Short-Course, Cornerstone Ag & Event Center, York
Feb. 16, 2012, 1:30 p.m. – Private Pesticide Applicator Training – 4-H Building, York
Feb. 29, 2012, 10:00 a.m. – Cornhusker Economics and Outlook Conference – Fairgrounds, Clay Center
March 7, 1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., Chemigation Training, 4-H Building, York
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Precipitation Totals
I’ve received a few questions about our rainfall amounts compared to normal. As I had indicated for the months of October thru December we were right on average at 3.77â€. For January we were a little behind have received .23†compared to our normal average of .69â€.
I did a little checking and we’ve received approximately 1.43†for February as a result of this week ends snowstorm! We typically receive, .79†for the month of February!
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Center Pivot Irrigation Management Short-Courses Planned
Have you registered for the Center Pivot Irrigation Management Short-Course planned for this Wednesday Feb. 8th at the Cornerstone Ag Event Center? It’s not too late, call in today if you plan to attend!
Each participant attending will receive a 130+ page Center Pivot Irrigation Management Handbook.
Planned topics will include: performance of center pivots; soil water management; matching sprinklers to soils; sprinkler package selection; minimizing pumping costs; estimating crop water use; water balance, consumptive use/limited irrigation; center pivot technology and variable rate irrigation; and center pivot management.
As I mentioned last week, Rod DeBuhr from the Upper Big Blue NRD indicated that those producers that register and attend the center pivot short course will quality for Phase II certification, so it will complete your NRD Phase II certification!
No charge to attend, however we ask you to register so adequate materials & meals will be available. Please call or email me this week at (402)-362-5508 or email: gzoubek1@unl.edu. Registration begins at 9:00 a.m. program at 9:30 a.m.
Irrigation Management Equipment Cost Share Available
Speaking of water management, the 2012 equipment cost share has just been posted on the NRD website. The Nebraska Agricultural Water Management Network (NAWMN) has been one of the best educational programs I’ve been involved with since I’ve been in Extension. We’ve grown from about 15 producers in the Upper Big Blue NRD to over 700 statewide with many more involved with efforts like Fontanelle and other equipment manufactures. If you irrigate and don’t have an Atmometer or ETgage and or some type of soil sensor, you’ll make it your new year’s resolution to give it at try! Dan or I will be glad to help you determine your equipment needs and where to install the equipment. We’ll also help you make sense of the data as the season goes one.
Give me a call at 402-362-5508 or email me at gzoubek1@unl.edu if you have questions. I’d like to work with 20 or 25 new growers this season. I’m also hoping to test some equipment to make it easier to get the sensor reading to our desktop or mobile devices.
The 2012 cost share order form is posted on our website at: http://york.unl.edu. Then, just click on my link in the center of the page. You then fill it out and email or send the form to the NRD. One less irrigation will pay for this equipment plus a dividend.
Chemigation Training and Certification Classes Planned
The past couple of years we have had increase interest in spoon feeding our nitrogen on to our crops, thus an increase interest in becoming certified to apply nitrogen with our center pivots. We have scheduled a couple of sessions here in York. The first will be March 7th with a catch up one on April 4th!
Participants will be provided a chemigation manual and calibration workbook the day of the training. Participants attending for the first time are encouraged to pick up a copy of the training materials prior to the training. Review of study materials prior to the training session is encouraged.
Training and testing will take approximately 3 to 4 hours. On the day of training please bring your Chemigation Training Manual, Calibration Workbook, and a calculator. There is no charge for the manuals or training. Advanced registration is not required. Let me know if you need information about the chemigation sessions.
Training sessions in our area of the state are planned for:
March 7, 1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., 4-H Building, York
April 4, 1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., 4-H Building, York
Cornhusker Economics and Outlook Conference Planned
Jenny Rees shared some information that they will be hosting one of the Cornhusker Economics and Outlook Conferences on February 29th, in Clay Center on the Fairgrounds at 10:00 a.m.
Topics include:
*Latest on corn, soybean, and wheat markets for marketing decisions by Dan O’Brien from K-State;
*Current outlook for cattle and hog producers by Jim Robb director of Livestock Market Info. Center;
*Land leasing-the latest on movements in land markets and managing lease arrangements in a quickly moving land market by UNL Extension Educators;
*Latest perspective on the volatile policy debate in Washington and the implications for ag policy and the farm bill by Brad Lubben;
*Detailed discussion of pending farm bill talks in Washington and the impacts of farm and ranch management decisions including farm income safety net alternatives and impacts and the future of conservation programs.
It should be a great conference! Registration cost is $25 to cover program expenses and the meal. Please call (402) 762-3644 or email jrees2@unl.edu to pre-register so we have a meal count.
Nebraska No-till Conferences Planned
Area producers have a couple locations where they can go to attend a no-till conference. The conference is from 9:25 a.m.-3 p.m. Feb. 21 at UNL’s Agricultural Research and Development Center near Mead and from 9:25 a.m.-3:45 p.m. Feb. 23 at the Ag Center in Holdrege.
They have some great topics and speakers on the program. Information and online registration is available at http://ardc.unl.edu/no-till.shtml. I hope you’ll be able to attend.
