Extension Update from Jenny Rees

UPCOMING EVENTS:  
Jan. 4:  Fremont Corn Expo, http://croptechcafe.org/fremontcornexpo/ 
Jan. 9-11:  Nebraska Turfgrass Conference, LaVista Conference Center, http://www.nebraskaturfgrass.com
Jan. 10:  UBBNRD Nitrogen Mgmt Training, 9:30 a.m., Leadership Center Aurora
Jan. 10:  York Ag Expo, Holthus Convention Center, York (Chemigation Training 9 a.m.-Noon steve.melvin@unl.edu, Cover Crop/Annual Forages Topics 1-4 p.m.)
Jan. 11:  York Ag Expo, Holthus Convention Center, York (Private Pesticide Training 9-Noon jrees2@unl.edu, Precision Ag Topics 1-4 p.m.)
Jan. 11:  LBNRD Operator Training, 1:30 p.m., Fairbury 4-H Bldg
Jan. 11:  Crop Production Clinic, North Platte, https://agronomy.unl.edu/cpc
Jan. 16:  LBNRD Operator Training, 9 a.m., Fairgrounds in Hastings
Jan. 16:  Crop Production Clinic, Norfolk, https://agronomy.unl.edu/cpc
Jan. 18:  LBNRD Training, 1:30 p.m., Davenport Community Center
Jan. 18:  Crop Production Clinic, Lincoln, https://agronomy.unl.edu/cpc
Jan. 18-19:  Hops Grower, Brewer Conference, Embassy Suites Downtown Omaha, http://www.growbrewnebraska.com/registration/
Jan. 24:  UBBNRD Nitrogen Mgmt Training, 9:30 a.m., Faigrounds in Seward
Jan. 24-25:  Nebraska Crop Management Conference, Kearney, https://agronomy.unl.edu/NCMC
Jan. 30:  “Partners In Progress Beef Seminar” Cow/Calf College at U.S. MARC near Clay Center, NE from 10-3:30 a.m., Registration at 9:30.  RSVP to (402) 759-3712.
Jan. 30-31:  No-Till On the Plains Winter Conference, Wichita, KS http://notill.org/
Feb. 1:  LBNRD Operator Training, 9am, Hebron Community Center
Feb. 1:  Merrick County Ag Day, Fairgrounds Central City RSVP:  steve.melvin@unl.edu
Feb. 7-9:  Nebraska Ag Tech Assoc. (NeATA) Conference
Feb. 8:  LBNRD Operator Training, 1:30 p.m., Fairgrounds Clay Center
Feb. 15:  LBNRD Operator Training, 9 a.m., Shickley Community Center
Feb. 14:  Hamilton County Ag Day, Fairgrounds Aurora, RSVP:  steve.melvin@unl.edu
Feb. 15:  Cover Crop Conference, former ARDC near Mead, kglewen1@unl.edu
Feb. 19:  Nebraska On-Farm Research Network Update, former ARDC near Mead
Feb. 20:  Nebraska On-Farm Research Network Update, Lifelong Learning Center Northeast Com. College, Norfolk
Feb. 21:  Nebraska On-Farm Research Network Update, Hall Co. Extension Office, Grand Island
Feb. 22-23:  Women in Ag Conference, Kearney
Feb. 23: Farmers/Ranchers College: “Crop Insurance, Farm Bill Policy Update & More!”, Fillmore Co. Fairgrounds-Geneva, 10- 3:00 p.m., Registration at 9:30 a.m. RSVP to (402) 759-3712.
Feb. 28:  UBBNRD Nitrogen Mgmt Training, 9:30 a.m., Holthus Convention Center, York
Mar. 1:  LBNRD Operator Training, 1:30 p.m., Kenesaw Senior Center

Farm Finance Clinic Sites and Dates To sign up for a clinic or to get more information, call Michelle at the Nebraska Farm Hotline at 1-800-464-0258.

Cows and Downed Corn:  In speaking with a couple area veterinarians and also our Extension Beef Specialists, they brought up a good point in the downed corn discussion.  Their concern was the cattle may be acclimated to grazing the first field of downed corn, but if left on that field for awhile once the corn is cleaned up, they would need to be re-acclimated to the next field of downed corn.  I mention this as we’re getting reports of some cattle losses in various parts of the State where producers didn’t have problems with the first field but are experiencing problems on the second one.  For more information on acclimating cattle to graze downed corn, please see the following article:  https://go.unl.edu/8j4n.  This weblink also contains an excel spreadsheet that can be downloaded to help you determine how many acres to give the number of cattle you have available to graze depending on how many bushels of corn are on the ground.

York Ag Expo:  The York Ag Expo will be held January 10-11 at the Holthus Convention Center in York.  There is an excellent Prime Rib Dinner being held on Wednesday, January 10th at Stone Creek Event Center, McCool Junction.  Entertainment for the evening is Lyndy Phillips.  Tickets are $30 and may be obtained by contacting the Chamber Office at 402-362-5531.  A list of sponsors and exhibitors can be viewed at:  http://yorkchamber.org/yorkagexpo/ and exhibitor entries are still being welcomed.

This year, Nebraska Extension is offering educational sessions as a part of the Expo.  The following topics will be presented and will allow you an opportunity to get certified/recertified for chemigation and/or pesticide training in addition to learning about interesting topics.  No alcohol is allowed in educational sessions.  We hope to see a good turnout for these sessions!

• January 10^th from 9 a.m.-Noon:  Chemigation Training (pesticide and fertilizer application through irrigation equipment).  Presented by Steve Melvin.
• January 10^th from 1 p.m.-4 p.m.:  Cover Crops/Annual Forages for Grazing including Farmer Panel.  Presented by Mary Drewnoski, Jenny Rees, Tyler Burkey on his annual forage system, and several area crop/livestock producers on the producer panel.
• January 11^th from 9 a.m.-Noon:  Private Applicator Pesticide Training (Fee $40).  This does not include dicamba training.  Presented by Jenny Rees.
• January 11^th from 1 p.m.-4 p.m.:  Precision Ag including mapping for profitability and unmanned aerial systems for decision making.  Presenters being confirmed.

Crop Production Clinics:  For those of you familiar with our Crop Production Clinics, they have changed again this year and locations are limited.  Commercial and non-commercial applicators can still re-certify in the ag plant category and private pesticide applicators can also recertify at the clinics.  There no longer are clinics being provided in York and Hastings as in the past.  Locations are North Platte on January 11^th, Norfolk on January 15 and 16 (same program both days), and Lincoln on January 18 and you can register for any of these at https://agronomy.unl.edu/cpc.  Last year they tried a new program called the Nebraska Crop Management Conference in Kearney and are holding that again this year January 24-25.  The same topics from the typical crop production clinic are also offered there in addition to chemigation and dicamba training, several keynote speakers, and a variety of other crop-related topics not available at the other clinics.  More information and registration for that clinic can be found at:  https://agronomy.unl.edu/NCMC.

Farm Custom Rates:  Every two years, the UNL Ag Economics Department updates the Farm Custom Rates, one of Extension’s most-used publications.  Our new specialist, Glennis McClure is seeking input from Nebraska custom operators who would like to participate.  To do so, you’re invited to submit your contact information now to receive the survey when it is released in January.

Part one of the survey asks about spring and summer operations such as tillage, planting and haying. The second part surveys operators providing machine hire services typically done in the fall, including grain harvest, hauling, cutting ensilage, hauling livestock and other miscellaneous operations. Results for the 2018 survey will be published mid-2018.

Custom operators who would like be a part of the survey when it is sent out in early 2018 can visit http://farm.unl.edu/customrates or send their contact information to Glennis McClure at gmcclure3@unl.edu or via mail to the Department of Agricultural Economics, P.O. Box 830922, Lincoln, NE 68583-0922. The deadline is February 15.

Christmas Trees:  Kelly Feehan, Extension Educator in Platte County shares the following, “When using a real Christmas tree, insects overwintering on the tree might become active in the warm indoors. If insects are noticed on a Christmas tree, control of these harmless and temporary invaders should be limited only to non-chemical means. Aerosol insect sprays are flammable and should NOT, under any circumstances, be sprayed on a Christmas tree. Insects found on the tree can be ignored until the tree is removed. Any that might leave the tree and be found on ceilings, walls, or windows are best vacuumed or discarded in a tissue. The majority of insects that might find their way indoors on a Christmas tree will not harm people, pets or wood; and most will not survive indoors for very long, making them a temporary nuisance. So again, never spray a Christmas tree with a flammable aerosol insect spray if any insects are noticed on a live Christmas tree.

If you have a real Christmas tree, water it daily to keep it fresh and safe. A Christmas tree can take up to a gallon or more of water daily depending on its size and condition. Providing plenty of water will keep the tree fresh and maintain aroma for four to five weeks. And just use water with no additives. Research has found that plain water is best. Commercial preservative mixes, aspirin, sugar, and other common home remedies do not provide any benefits in keeping Christmas trees fresh.  If the tree stand does dry out, this will shorten the length of time a tree remains fresh.  Once the water is gone, water-absorbing cells become plugged with resin and the tree’s ability to continue to take up water is greatly reduced.  The only way to fix the problem is to make a fresh cut to the base of the trunk; not easy to do with a decorated tree so make it a habit to check the tree stand daily.”