Coming Events
- Feb. 27, 2014 — Heuermann Lecture “Our Culture War Over Food and Farmingâ€, 3:30 p.m. Hardin Hall, Lincoln http://heuermannlectures.unl.edu/
- March 3, 2014 – Cornhusker Economics Outlook Meeting, 9:30 – 11:00 a.m., Adams Co. Fairgrounds, Hastings http://agecon.unl.edu/ceo
- March 6, 2014 – Cornhusker Economics Outlook Meeting, 6:30 – 9:00 p.m., Lancaster Extension Office, Lincoln http://agecon.unl.edu/ceo
- March 10, 2014 – Nebraska On-Farm Research Update, 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., UNL’s ARDC near Mead
- March 11, 2014 – Nebraska On-Farm Research Update, 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., York 4-H Building
- March 13, 2014 – Private Pesticide Training, 1:30 p.m., York 4-H Building
- March 21, 2014 – Chemigation Training, 1:00 p.m., York 4-H Building
Cornhusker Economics Outlook Meetings
Last week, I mentioned that the ninth annual Cornhusker Economics Outlook series of meetings has been planned. They will focus on the agriculture outlook and management decisions for farmers and ranchers.
The series, scheduled in nine locations, is offered by University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension and the Department of Agricultural Economics and is available free to participants with the series support of the Nebraska Corn Board and the Great Western Bank along with several local sponsors.
It looks like they’ve got a great fast paced program planned at which you’ll be able to hear from several of our new ag economist specialists. Those presenting will include:
Kate Brooks, extension livestock economist at UNL: Brooks will provide outlook and analysis for beef and other livestock producers. She will interpret emerging livestock market fundamentals, meat supplies, and meat demand to assess producer profit potential and sound marketing and production decisions in 2013.
Cory Walters, extension crop economist at UNL: Walters will discuss the outlook for corn, soybeans, and wheat to help producers make sound production, marketing ,and risk management decisions.
Brad Lubben, extension policy specialist at UNL: Lubben will provide perspectives on the policy environment in Washington and the long-awaited farm bill and will discuss the policy outlook and program alternatives to help producers effectively combine farm programs, crop insurance, and marketing strategies for success.
In addition, a discussion of current land and leasing economics will be held. With the recent climb of land prices and rental rates running into declining crop price and profitability projections for 2014, producers will need to push an even sharper pencil on land decisions and production plans.
The series runs from March 3-7 and varies in time by location. There is no cost to participants; however, pre-registration is encouraged to plan for facilities, refreshments, and materials.
Workshops in our area include:
Hastings: Monday March 3, 9 – 11:30 a.m. CST, Adams County Fairgrounds, Contact: Ron Seymour, UNL extension educator, Adams County, Office: 402-461-7209, email: ron.seymour@unl.edu.
Lincoln: Thursday, March 6, 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. CST, Lancaster County Extension Office, 444 Cherrycreek Rd, Contact: Paul Hay, UNL extension educator, Gage County Office: 402-223-1384, email: phay1@unl.edu.
On-Farm Research Updates Planned
Last week I mentioned that we’ve planned a couple of Nebraska On-Farm Research Network (NOFRN) research update programs for March 10 and 11. The first will be Monday, March 10, at UNL’s Agricultural Research and Development Center (ARDC) near Mead and the second will be Tuesday, March 11, at the 4-H Building here in York.
The March 10 session will be streamed live online at: http://go.unl.edu/2014onfarmupdate. The program is from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (CST) at both locations.
These March programs will provide an opportunity to hear growers who conducted on-farm research share their results from the 2013 growing season. Field length replicated treatment comparisons were completed in growers’ fields, using their equipment.
The Nebraska On-Farm Research Network (NOFRN) is a statewide on-farm research program addressing critical farmer production, profitability and natural resources questions. Growers take an active role in the on-farm research project sponsored by University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension in partnership with the Nebraska Corn Growers Association and the Nebraska Corn Board.
The luncheon speaker at these events will be Joe Luck, UNL Extension Precision Ag Specialist, who will be speaking on “Making Use of Your Precision Ag Dataâ€.
If participating in person and for meal planning purposes, preregistration is requested by calling 402-624-8030 for the March 10 program at the ARDC or 402-362-5508 for March 11 program at the York 4-H Building. There is no registration fee as a result of funding from the Nebraska Corn Board.
To learn more about the Nebraska On-Farm Research Network and how to participate go to: http://cropwatch.unl.edu/farmresearch. I hope you’ll plan to attend and I’d really like to work with you as you plan a potential study in 2014.
Crop Scout Training Planned
Crop scout training is planned for March 6 at the Agricultural Research and Development Center near Mead. This training will provides in-depth and detailed information from university specialists in the area of corn and soybean pest management. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m., and the workshop is from 9:00 a.m-5:00 p.m. Cost is $135. Fees include lunch, refreshment breaks, workshop materials, and instruction manual.
Topics will include: how corn and soybean plants grow and develop; soybean and corn insect management; insect quiz; identifying weeds – plant morphology; using a key to identify weed seedlings; crop diseases and quiz; and nutrient deficiencies. Certified Crop Advisor continuing education credits are available with 4 in pest management, 1 in crop management and .5 in fertility/nutrient management.
Registrants should preregister to reserve their seat and to ensure workshop materials are available the day of the training session. For more information or to register, contact UNL Extension at 402-624-8030, 800-529-8030, e-mail Keith Glewen at kglewen1@unl.edu, or online at http://ardc.unl.edu/training.shtml.
