Nebraska Weather
It was great to see the soil temperatures warm and see producers out getting some planting done Friday and Saturday. As I prepare my column still no rain as of now, but hopefully we’ll be getting some in the near future. For the latest soil temperature and cropping condition visit our CropWatch Website at: http://Cropwatch.unl.edu. As of today, we’re about four degrees cooler than normal.
Getting Those ETgages Out & Ready To Go
We’re just getting the crops planted, so it’s a little early to be thinking about irrigation season, however, now is the time to get them out of storage and ready to go for the season. You don’t want to put them out to early because if the ceramic top freezes they’re not worth much. My grandson Cooper and I got the ones I monitor out, cleaned them up and replaced the wafers and green canvas tops. It’s a good idea to do this on a regular basis. Canvas covers come in three different types, but we typically are using the #54 alfalfa canvas covers. If you need the canvas covers or wafers, I know that the Upper Big Blue NRD has them on hand and will provide them to you.
It takes a couple days for the system to stabilizes so after the first weeks readings, be should be good to go. I hope to read the ETgages I have each Monday morning and may also read them on Thursday morning so I can update the irrigation hotline.
We’re always looking for additional volunteers to post their weekly ETgage reading to our website. If you have an ETgage and would be willing to post it that website is: https://water.unl.edu/nawmn. Then click on the Online ETgage tool link..
FSA Livestock Information Meetings Scheduled
Leann Nelson from the FSA office asked that I’d share the following: If you owned livestock in 2012 and or 2013 you may be eligible for one or more of the Livestock Disaster Programs included in the 2014 Farm Bill as permanent legislation. Sign-up for these disaster programs began April 15, 2014. You should apply for benefits in the county that administers the farm with the grazing or livestock losses.
York County FSA will hold three informational meetings at the York County USDA Service Center, 419 W 6th St in York beginning at 9:00 a.m. on April 24, April 30, and May 1. These meetings will explain each of the Livestock Disaster Programs, the provisions and requirements. Everyone is welcome to attend, no registration required.
The York FSA is making appointments for signup into the Livestock Disaster Programs now. If you suffered a loss of grazing in 2012 and or lost livestock in addition to your normal mortality rate in 2012 or 2013, you may be eligible for disaster benefits. Give the FSA office a call at 402.362.5700, ext. 3 to schedule an appointment for this signup.
UNL On-Farm Research
Hopefully most producers will be getting into those fields and getting planting done the next couple of weeks? If you’re considering any practice or product changes, I’d encourage you to conduct an on-farm research study. They’re easy do design and do and are of a lot of interest to other producers. Give me a call at 402-326-8185 or email me at gary.zoubek@unl.edu and I’ll be glad to help with design and conduct the study!
Spring Affair Is Planned for Saturday
The annual Spring Affair event will be held this Saturday, April 26, at the Lancaster Event Center from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. It will include over 500 varieties of plants for sale along with many educational talks, all under the same roof.
This year’s theme is “Plants are the Bee’s Knees,” referring to the importance of gardens as far more than just places of beauty. Gardens are becoming increasingly important for diversity, pollination, wildlife habitat and other broad environmental issues.
Some of the presentation topics will include: The Buzz on Bees, Great Plants for Great Gardens and The Difference a Garden Makes. Throughout Saturday, more informal presentations on trees, shrubs, vines, shade and dry sites will be given around the plant tables.
Admission to this event is free on Saturday but ticketed for the preview event Friday evening. The Lancaster Event Center located on the Northeast part of town and has plenty of parking.
This event is sponsored by Nebraska Statewide Arboretum in partnership with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Department of Agronomy & Horticulture, UNL Extension and Extension Master Gardeners. This annual event serves as both an educational tool and a fundraising event for the ongoing growth of the arboretum and the department.
For more information, visit: http://springaffair.unl.edu/
Crop Scout Training Planned
The training for entry level scouts who will be working for crop consultants, industry agronomists or farm service centers will be held May 6, 2014, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the university’s Agricultural Research and Development Center near Mead.
Topics include: how corn and soybean plants grow and develop, soybean and corn insect management, identifying weeds – plant morphology, using a key to identify weed seedlings, crop diseases and quiz, and nutrient deficiencies.
Cost is $135. Fees include lunch, refreshment breaks, workshop materials and instruction manual. Registrants should preregister one week in advance to reserve their seat and to ensure workshop materials are available the day of the training session. Updated reference materials are included in this year’s take home instruction manual.
A total of 5.5 Certified Crop Advisor Continuing Education Units is anticipated in the integrated pest management (4.0), crop management (1.0) and fertility/nutrient management (.5) categories.
For more information or to register, contact the ARDC, CMDC Programs, 1071 County Road G, Ithaca, Neb., 68033, call 402-624-8000, fax 402-624-8010, email cdunbar2@unl.edu or visit http://ardc.unl.edu/cmdc.shtml.
Nebraska LEAD Applications for Group 34 Now Available
It’s hard to believe that we’ve already had 33 LEAD Classes! Terry Hejny, Nebraska LEAD Program director just announced that they’re recruiting “Up to 30 motivated men and women with demonstrated leadership potential will be selected from five geographic districts across our state.â€
The Nebraska LEAD Program is designed to prepare the spokespersons, problem-solvers and decision makers for Nebraska and its agricultural industry.
Applications are due no later than June 15 and are available via e-mail from the Nebraska LEAD Program. Please contact Shana at sgerdes2@unl.edu. You can also request an application by writing Nebraska LEAD Program, Room 318 Biochemistry Hall, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 68583-0763 or by calling 402-472-6810. You can visit www.lead.unl.edu for information about the selection process.
In addition to monthly three-day seminars throughout Nebraska from mid-September through early April each year, Nebraska LEAD Fellows also participate in a 10-day National Study/Travel Seminar and a two week International Study/Travel Seminar. Seminar themes include leadership assessment and potential, natural resources and energy, agricultural policy, leadership through communication, our political process, global perspectives, nuclear energy, social issues, understanding and developing leadership skills, agribusiness and marketing, advances in health care, and the resources and people of Nebraska’s Panhandle.
Nebraska LEAD Program Fellows (participants) generally fall between the ages of 25-55 years of age. It’s a great program and I’d encourage potential participants to check out the lead website: www.lead.unl.edu.
