Extension Update by Gary Zoubeck [October 29, 2015]

Coming Events

Cornhusker Economics Outlook Meeting, Nov. 17, 1:00 p.m., Holthus Convention Center, 3130 Holen Avenue, York, NE 68467

Cornhusker Economics Outlook Meetings Planned

I’d like to inform area producers that the 2015 Cornhusker Economics Outlook meeting series will focus on the ag outlook and management decisions for Nebraska farmers and ranchers at six locations across the state on November 17-24. We will be hosting one on November 17^th here in York.  It looks like they’ve got a great program planned.

This annual meeting series is offered by Nebraska Extension and the University of Nebraska Lincoln Department of Agricultural Economics and are free to the public thanks to the statewide series support of Great Western Bank along with local meeting sponsors.

Brad Lubben, Nebraska Extension Policy Specialist and series organizer indicated that: “With price and income prospects changing substantially during 2015, producers are looking closely at production, marketing, and financial decisions to manage successfully in this changing environment. Our annual outlook series provides the right information at the right time to help producers analyze and make management decisions today to prepare and position operations for the year ahead.”

Topics will include:

Kate Brooks, Extension Livestock Economist at UNL will provide outlook and analysis for beef and other livestock producers. Kate will digest emerging livestock market fundamentals, meat supplies, and meat demand to assess producer profit potential and sound marketing and production decisions in 2016.

Cory Walters, Extension Crop Economist at UNL will discuss the crop outlook and implications for producers. Cory will discuss the current price environment and market outlook for Nebraska crop producers and the implications for production, marketing, and risk management decisions in the year ahead.

Brad Lubben, Extension Policy Specialist at UNL will discuss the ag policy outlook. Beyond the current policy environment in Washington, Lubben will focus on the role of the farm income safety net and the projected support from farm programs and crop insurance for cash flow planning and risk management decision-making.

Tina Barrett, Director of Nebraska Farm Business, Inc. will discuss the farm financial outlook and financial management decisions ahead for producers. Building on data from hundreds of farm cooperators in NFBI, Tina will focus on the current financial position and trends for Nebraska agriculture and the financial management challenges and decisions facing producers, with a focus on budgeting and cost control for the year ahead.

Jay Parsons, Extension Economist at UNL will discuss farm and ranch risk management issues and decisions. Jay will draw on his expertise in risk management to incorporate the marketing, production, policy, and financial discussion into risk management decisions and strategies for producers for 2016.

This outlook agenda is packaged into a 3-hour format to provide producers the best available information and send them home to ready to make 2016 management and marketing decisions. The series runs from November 17 to 24 and varies in time by location. Information on the Cornhusker Economics Outlook series is on the web at http://agecon.unl.edu/ceo.

Although there is no cost to participants, pre-registration is encouraged to plan for facilities, refreshments, and materials.  To register for the York session please call 402-362-5508. 

The York session will be held Tuesday, November 17, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. at the Holthus Convention Center, 3130 Holen Avenue, York, NE 68467

Contact: Gary Zoubek, York County Extension – 402-362-5508 or gzoubek1@unl.edu or Brandy VanDeWalle, Fillmore County Extension – 402-759-3712 or bvandewalle2@unl.edu

You can also contact Lubben at 402-472-2235 or blubben2@unl.edu. 

Lawn and Garden Update

As the cool fall temperatures arrive, it’s time to clean up the lawn and gardens and get those chores done before the extremely cold temperature arrive.

Fall is also an important time for our cool-season lawns.  The last fall fertilizer application on turf is the most important one of the season.  It helps plants recover and is much more important than making those early spring applications.  I’m hoping to make my final application this week if I can get too it just prior to the next rain event. 

There are many different theories about how to mow a lawn going into winter. An easy, yet effective, way is to continue to mow at your normal mowing height (preferably between 2.5 and 4 inches) until the turf stops growing. Mulch mow tree leaves to add compost and nutrients to your lawn. It beats raking and bagging tree leaves.

Summer annual weeds like crabgrass and foxtail will die the upcoming frosts. These weeds don’t need to be treated with herbicides in fall. However, perennials like creeping Charlie, clover, and dandelions are best controlled during mid fall. The Turf iNfo “Tips to control troublesome lawn weeds in fall” was published on September 17 and can be found at: http://turf.unl.edu/turf-info.

We’ve received a little rain, but October has been pretty dry and the non-irrigated turf is starting to look stressed. While some drought stress in October can help induce deeper winter dormancy, too much drought stress can actually make the turf more susceptible to winterkill. Apply enough irrigation to prevent visible drought stress but the turf is not using a lot of moisture, so don’t overdo it.

Finally, remember that above-ground irrigation components (such as a backflow preventer) should be turned off and drained before a hard frost or freeze.

Cropping Update

Producers have continued to make great progress getting the crops harvested.  Good luck as you compete your harvest.