Extension Update by Gary Zoubeck [March 21, 2013]

Coming Events

• March 19 – Master Gardening Connect Session, 6:30 p.m., Extension Office, York
• March 21 — NAWMN Irrigation Equipment/Cost Share Update, 10:00 a.m., 4-H Building, Aurora
• March 21 – NAWMN Irrigation Equipment/Cost Share Update, 2:00 p.m., 4-H Building, York
• March 22 – Ag After Hours, 5:00 -7:00 p.m., Cornerstone Ag Event Center, York
• March 23 – Household Hazardous Waste Collection, 2:00 – 5:00 p.m., Fairgrounds, York call 402-362-2621 with questions
• March 25 – Extension Board Meeting, 7:30 p.m., Extension Office, York
• March 27 – Farm Estate and Transition Planning Workshop, 9:00 to 3:30 p.m., York Country Club, Info at: http://york.unl.edu/web/york/crops-future, Call 402-362-5508 or email gary.zoubek@unl.edu to register
• March 29 – 4-H Junior Leader Road Trip to UNL, leave the York Extension Office at 8:40 a.m., for more information and to register, visit: http://york.unl.edu/county4h.
• April 11 – Chemigation Training, 1:00 p.m., 4-H Building, York

National Ag Week and Agri-Business after Hours Activities Planned
March 17-23, 2013, is National Ag Week with March 19 as National Ag Day.  It’s a time to recognize and celebrate the abundance provided by agriculture. Every year, producers, agricultural associations, corporations, universities, government agencies, and countless others across America join together to recognize the contributions of agriculture.

Did you know that each American farmer feeds more than 144 people–a dramatic increase from 25 people in the 1960s.  American agriculture is doing more–and doing it better. As the world population soars, there is an even greater demand for the food and fiber produced in the United States.

I’d like to encourage all people in the area that are interested in agriculture to plan to attend the annual Agri-Business After Hours planned for Friday March 22 from 5:00–7:00 p.m. at the Cornerstone Ag Event Center on the fairgrounds.  At this event, we’ll honor someone for their contributions to agriculture, as well as give away some great prizes.  The proceeds from the raffle goes towards scholarship to youth interested in agriculture, and this year we’ll be providing six or seven $500 scholarships to area youth!  You can check out all the sponsors and details at: http://york.unl.edu/web/york/crops-future.  Just click on the appropriate link!

Irrigation Tools Workshops Planned
I’d like to inform all irrigators in the area that we’re hosting a couple of informational meeting about ETgages and Watermark Sensors in the Aurora and York area.  They will be this Thursday at 10:00 a.m. in the 4-H Building in Aurora and at 2:00 p.m. in the 4-H Building in York.

We plan to share information about these two tools as well as cost share available.  You can find that information by going to the Upper Big Blue NRD website: http://www.upperbigblue.org/.  Then click on the water link on the left side of the page and finally the irrigation scheduling link.

We found out last year that no two years are the same, but that ETgages and soil water sensors do work.  They don’t always save you water or energy, they sometimes tell you that you still need to irrigate.  With today’s fuel prices and crop values you don’t just want to guess when scheduling your irrigations.  I’d sure be glad to assist you in using these tools and interpreting the numbers.

I just checked the sensors that I’ve installed in a rainfed field East of York and finally the top sensor is reporting that the top foot is near field capacity, but the second foot is still dry.  It looks like the rain/snow storm did help fill the soil profile some, but we still have a ways to go!

Hazardous Waste Pickup
Do you have any unwanted household hazardous waste products lying around and want to properly dispose of them?  If you do, this Saturday from 2:00–5:00 p.m. on the York County Fairgrounds will be a great opportunity to get rid of them. You can also call some experts like the ones at Darwin skip bin hire for some best help options.   It’s important to put your paint in one box and the other materials in a separate box and handle them with care.  Accepted products include:  paint and paint related materials (stains, varnish, etc), poisons, fertilizer (yard chemicals), acids, banned materials (chlordane, DDT, etc), cyanide, pesticides, mercury and mercury related materials, lead acid batteries, fluorescent bulbs, and prescription and over-the-counter medications.

Now is the time to check around your home to see if you have some of these products, gather them up and take the to the collection this Saturday.  If you left over paint other times of the year, you can let it dry in the can or place it on carpet or other material and when it’s dry and can be taken to the landfill for disposal.

For more details and information, visit our website: http://york.unl.edu/.  For questions, call the Four Corners Health Department at: 402-362-2621.

4-H Junior Leader Road Trip to UNL
Tammy Stuhr, Extension Educator Youth from Merrick County, is coordinating a bus tour to UNL on Friday March 29!  They will leave the Central City Courthouse at 7:50 a.m., stop in Aurora at 8:10 a.m., and here at the Extension Office at 8:40 a.m.

The group will travel to the UNL East Campus and visit three departments:

Bio Systems Engineering: Breaking bones – experience being a biomedical engineer by using the engineering design process to design and test devices capable of stabilizing broken bones.

Natural Resources: Animal tracking – Learn about this amazing equipment used on animals ranging from fish and birds to deer and elephants.  You’ll even have the chance to try your hand at locating a critter or two!

Animal Science: Genetics – Experience all the animal science department has to offer around nutrition, large and small animals, and research projects.

Those attending will have lunch, hear from a Career/Student Panel, and finally play some laser tag.

Cost is only $10 and includes lunch, ride, and laser tag.  To enroll, email Tammy at tstuhr2@unl.edu or call 402-643-1330.  The bus is near the limit of 50, so register today!  Check out complete details at the Quad Bus Trip link:   http://york.unl.edu/county4h.

The York Corn Grower and UNL RoundUp Ready Comparison Plots Entries Are Due
I’ve received several entries for the 2013 York County Corn Growers and our UNL RoundUp Ready Soybean Comparison Plots.  These York County Corn Grower Plot will be on the Dwight Johnson farm near Bradshaw farmed by Ray & Ron Makovicka while the RoundUp Ready Soybean plot will be on the Jerry Stahr farm located just East of UFC.  Seed representatives interested in making entries can contact me at 402-362-5508 or by email at gary.zoubek@unl.edu.

Beginning Farmer Workshops Planned
Gary Lesoing, Extension Educator from Nemaha County announced a series of six free Beginning Farmer Workshops planned for early April.  Workshops are planned for April 3, April 4, April 8, April 9, April 12, and April 16 at several different location across Nebraska.  Three of the workshops will focus on concepts of mob grazing and/or marketing grass-fed beef, while three workshops will focus on beginning farmer and vegetable/fruit production.

For more information check the beginning farmer link at:   http://york.unl.edu/web/york/crops-future.  Call Gary Lesoing at 402-274-4755 to reserve a spot at any of these workshops.

Lawn and Garden
Last week I mentioned that I tried my hand at dormant seeding of some tall fescue, so we’ll see how it goes.  This past weekend, I received a couple new Turf Info updates on “Choosing grasses for lawns” and “Options/precautions for spring dandelion control”.  Check them out along with other tips at:  http://turf.unl.edu.

I’ve received a few calls about pruning shrubs and other plants.  These and many other timely topics can be found on the latest issue of Horticulture Update located on the web at: http://environment.unl.edu/.  Be sure to also check out the Backyard Farmer pages and videos.

Planning for the Future – Farm Estate and Transition Planning Workshop
This will be my last reminder for the March 27 “Planning for the Future” workshop to be held here in York at the York Country Club from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.  Topics to be discussed include: determining goals, family dynamics and expectation in a business setting, financial viability, the transfer process, estate and gift tax, inheritance tax, efficient methods of transfer, probate, wills, trusts, titling, basis, long-term care, Medicaid, powers of attorney; and use of entities.

We need those interested in attending to register by this Friday March 22 so that adequate supplies and meals can be prepared.  Register by emailing me at gary.zoubek@unl.edu or call at 402-362-5508.  Currently we are at slightly over 80 registered.

Family WeatherFest is April 6
I just received some information about the UNL’s Family Weatherfest and Severe Weather Symposium which will be held on Saturday, April 6, between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. at University Nebraska-Lincoln’s Hardin Hall, located at 3310 Holdrege St. in Lincoln, NE (the corner of Holdrege and 33rd St.).  This free, family event explores the wonder of weather and teaches techniques for surviving—and thriving—through severe weather events.

We’ve had two back-to-back years of extreme weather in Nebraska, and many wonder what’s on the horizon. UNL’s Family Weatherfest and Severe Weather Symposium prepares youths and adults alike to understand and react to stunning meteorological conditions, whatever they may be.

Activities include a screening of the tornado-filled film 2012’s Extreme Weather as Captured by Storm Chasers, a book sale and signing with meteorologist and author Mike Mogil, a weather balloon discussion and launch, face painting booths, and an up-close and personal exploration of a real-life tornado vehicle, the Doppler on Wheels—Weatherfest makes storm preparedness fun for the whole family.

Other highlights this year include a keynote talk about the 100th anniversary of the deadliest tornado to hit Nebraska; tips for capturing the best photographs of meteorological events; interactive weather presentations such as “Be Weather Wise with Weather Whys,” “The Megadrought Walk,” and “Tornado Generator”; and exhibits from the National Weather Service, Lancaster County Emergency Management, and Midland Radio. Local weathercasters will be on site between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to meet and chat with families.

For more information about this event go to: http://snr.unl.edu/cpsws/ or on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/cpsws.

“York County 4-H, Nebraksa” on Facebook
If you are on Facebook and are involved with York County 4-H program as a member, family, leader or volunteer, I’d like to encourage you to go to Facebook and search for the group “York County 4-H, Nebraska” and ask to join.  We’re going to try and add upcoming events, pictures and other timely topic to this page and keep you posted as to what’s going on in the world of York County 4-H!