Category: Uncategorized

Crops, Irrigation, Programming

Farmers Overcoming Challenges to Increase Profit

Brandy VanDeWalle

 This week, I’m highlighting an article from Daryl Andersen from the Little Blue NRD promoting an upcoming event. Producers deal with challenges every day from weather concerns, plant conditions and fertilizer applications and costs. Today’s technology and current knowledge can help in easing these concerns. Representatives from UNL or the NRD are always available to assist producers in utilizing the technology and gaining the knowledge to increase the producer’s bottom line.

On January 4, 2012 the Little Blue NRD will be hosting a Soil and Water Conference in Davenport, NE. at the Community Building from 10 am to 3 pm. This is the second year of this type of conference in which producers can learn new ideas from presenters and also get a chance to talk to local exhibitor’s booths set up for the day. This conference is designed for everyone from rural to urban residents and attendance is strongly encouraged, as topics could affect everyone’s way of life.

A presenter from the EPA will talk about fertilizer applications on lawns and cropland and why this is becoming a national issue. Knowledge of these topics is necessary as what we do here does have a major effect on the river systems and groundwater. Learning how to cope with these topics will help in improving best management practices, gain knowledge on how weather patterns are affecting your farming practices and what you can do to protect yourself.

Other topics include predicting your corn yield with UNL Hybrid-Maize and interpreting the soil sample. Producers are always wondering what their corn yield will be and with this computer program this can be done during the season. Ever wondered how the fertilizer recommendations are formulated or what micro-nutrients should I be soil sampling for? Presenters will be explaining what is needed and what could be unnecessary tests.

Come see the map on a recently completed water study conducted by JEO for the Little Blue NRD. The LBNRD Board has changed the rules on well permitting utilizing these maps and a risk analysis point system is being used on each well permit. Staff will show how the point system works and you can even get your property analyzed.

The NRD and UNL-Extension have been working with cooperators within the area to improve irrigation management. Producers have been using crop ET (evaporation-transpiration) information, soil moisture sensors and data loggers to assist in making timely irrigation decisions. Information and cost-share sheets will be available at this conference.

Everyone is invited and a free lunch will be served. If you plan on attending, it is requested that you RSVP to the NRD office at 402-364-2145 or email dandersen@littlebluenrd.org by December 27, 2011 for a meal count. If you are interested in exhibiting your products at this conference, you can get more information by contacting the Little Blue NRD.

Crops, Programming

Crop Production Clinics

Brandy VanDeWalle

Pesticide resistance, crop production updates, and what’s new in pest management will be among the topics presented at this year’s Crop Production Clinics. The clinics, which will be held at nine sites across the state in January, also include provisions for pesticide applicator recertification.

Other topics being presented by Extension specialists and educators include:soil fertility

  • soil water and irrigation management,
  • ag business management & policy
  • pesticide safety
  • and disease, insect and weed pest management.

Representatives from the Nebraska Department of Agriculture will be present to verify attendance for pesticide applicator recertification. For commercial and noncommercial pesticide applicator, this will be the primary venue for you to renew your license in any of the following categories: Ag Plant (01), Regulatory (REG),  and Demonstration/Research (D/R).  For private pesticide applicators the Crop Production Clinics will serve as a venue for you to renew your license.

Certified Crop Advisors may earn CEUs in the following categories:

  • Integrated Pest Management (6 CEUs)
  • Soil and Water (2 CEUs),
  • Nutrient Management (1 CEU), and
  • Crop Production (3 CEUs).

Attendees can earn a maximum of 6 CEUs at a location. Certified Crop Advisors are required to bring their CCA number to apply for CEU credits.

For further information on pesticide applicator recertification costs, visit the Crop Production Clinic website.

            The annual Crop Production Clinics will be held at nine locations across Nebraska in January 2012. The Clinics will provide valuable information to help crop producers and agribusiness professionals improve their profitability and safety.  Closest locations to us include:

            Jan. 4th – Beatrice – Classic’s (Beatrice Country Club)
            Jan. 5th – York – The Auditorium
            Jan. 10th – Hastings – Adams County Fairgrounds

Uncategorized

Interconnectedness of Events

Brandy VanDeWalle

Last week we kicked off the 2011-2012 Farmers & Ranchers College series with Dr. David Kohl from Virginia Tech with “Global Economic Impacts on the Farm & Ranch”. Over 150 participants heard Kohl describe how events across the world affect our farms and ranches more than ever. He emphasized that words to remember are “interconnectedness of events”. What happens in the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) will ultimately affect U.S. farm and ranch profitability, as these countries continue to demand more food, fiber and fuel. As these countries gain momentum in global competiveness, Kohl stated, “The long term viability of these nations will be defined by the way they handle adversity.” A defining moment in each country will either make or break them, such as a change in leadership, social unrest, etc.

As an economist, Kohl provided lots of key numbers to watch for, but reminded us that usually a grain and row crop “super cycle” lasts for only 2-3 years, but we are in an 8 year super cycle, so what does that mean? No one can know for sure. One thing for producers to note is that unlike the 1980’s when the debt to income ratio was 14:1, the 2011 projected debt to income ratio is 2.35:1, meaning agriculture is not in a credit bubble, but rather in an asset bubble.

When deciding whether to acquire land or expand one’s operation, Kohl has a simple checklist to consider:

  • Have you been profitable in the last three years?
  • Will the land/expansion results in greater than 50% equity?
  • Do you have working capital to revenue of 33% or more after expansion?
  • Will overall profitability after expansion exceed interest rates?
  • Will overall profitability after expansion result in return exceeding inflation?
  • Will overall profitability after expansion result in return exceeding w.c.c.?

Obviously if the answer to most of these questions is “no”, then you probably shouldn’t consider acquiring more land or expanding.

In order to position oneself for the wild world of global economics, you must have a strategic plan and consider different scenarios and consequences of each. Meet with your lender who understands agriculture and your industry and will ask you those, “what if” questions. Set benchmarks for your business and see how they compare. Two things Kohl has mentioned time and time again continue to be interdependent rather than independent. It takes a team or group for you to succeed, so align yourself with those who will challenge you and make you a better business person.

Kohl also stresses the importance of being a lifelong learner. Those in attendance, Kohl credited for continually seeking knowledge and ways to improve them. Lifelong learning is what Extension provides. Kohl reminded participants that the premise of the cooperative extension system is teaching people how to improve their lives, businesses, etc. UNL Extension’s mission is “we teach”. Even though it is tempting to be in the field or find other things to do instead of attending educational programs, producers must find time to increase their knowledge of their business. Whether it is attending educational programs provided by extension, reading research-based articles, completing continuing education classes, etc., those who continue their education and implement changes will likely be more successful than those who remain stagnate. “If you’re going to lead, you’ve got to read.”

In conclusion, several philosophies Dr. Kohl provided for the second decade included:

  • It is the good years that present the difficult times
  • If things grow too fast, then it is a weed
  • The best crop you will grow will be the younger generation
  • And think globally, but act locally – convergence & interconnections.

Dr. David Kohl has a column with the Corn and Soybean Digest which you can read for more information.

Uncategorized

Feeding the Growing World

Brandy VanDeWalle

Last week, Extension faculty and staff from across Nebraska met at the annual state extension conference for professional improvement opportunities, networking and envisioning programming for the future that will make a significant impact on many lives. One of my favorite professional development sessions was “Cancer with Joy” featuring a stage four, thirty-three year old woman who defeated all odds. In her presentation she emphasized the important of facing things with positivity. While most of us know this already, it was an excellent reminder for everyone to face life with positive energy.  She discussed how research shows that people who are happier usually live longer and can battle health challenges better.  

Another major item discussed was the challenges UNL Extension has in contributing to meeting the food demands for the world’s growing population. According to the United Nations, the world’s population hit seven billion on October 31, 2011. The United Nations is projecting the world population to reach 9.3 billion by 2050. As co-leader of the Crops for the Future Extension group, worked on how our programming efforts can help lead the charge in not only making producers more profitability, but the larger goal at hand, being to feed the world. The Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at UNL have prestigious faculty such as Stephen Baenziger working to solve this problem and Extension will bring that research to the forefront of producers.

Wrapping up the conference, faculty were able to watch UNL’s month Heuermann Lecture which featured Stephen Baenziger, a small grains breeder in the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture at UNL. Baenziger said that not only will the population reach a over 9 billion, but a wealthier population, will eat the equivalent of what would feed 12 billion today which is causing agricultural scientists to race the clock to produce enough food. His resume was just as impressive as his presentation! The Heuermann Lecture series focuses on providing security in the areas of food, natural resources, and renewable energy for people, as well as on securing the sustainability of rural communities where the vital work of producing food and renewable energy occurs. Learn more about his presentation and past lectures.

Through the Heuermann Lectures, Nebraskans and others can participate in conversations with diverse leaders in various walks of life who are working to meet the world’s food and food-related challenges. The next lecture will be “Conflict & Resolution on the Missouri River” with Bob Kerry on December 12, 2011 at 4:00 p.m. at Hardin Hall in Lincoln or through the web. The 2011 flooding of the Missouri River spawned what is just the latest in a series of conflicts that stretch back to European settlement of land influenced by the river, notes Bob Kerrey, former Nebraska governor and U.S. senator. Kerrey’s Heuermann Lecture focuses on three critical moments when the resolution of conflicts regarding the Missouri River produced federal and/or state laws that continue to affect lives today.

Crops, Programming

Landlord/Tenant Cash Lease Workshops

Brandy VanDeWalle

 Do you as a landlord feel that you are not receiving enough money for their cash rent? Do you as a tenant worry about how you will be able to afford to pay rent when yields are poor and/or prices drop? Answers to these and other land lease questions will be provided at the Landlord/Tenant Cash lease workshops being held State-Wide in November and December of 2011. The main purpose of these workshops is to help with establishing and maintaining positive farm leasing relationships.

Topics for discussion include: 1) Expectations from the lease, including goal setting for the rental property; 2) Lease communication, determining appropriate information sharing for both the tenant and landlord; 3) Relatives – tips for farm leases that include relatives; 4) Irrigation System questions, as they pertain to setting lease rates; 5) Alternative cash lease arrangements, flexible provision considerations for your situation and 6) Other topics like grain bin rental will be covered as time allows.

See the list of locations for this set of workshops, which are being sponsored by the Nebraska Soybean Board. All of these workshops will begin with the registration at 5:00 and conclude at 9:00 pm at each location. The meal and handouts are provided. Participation is limited, to register contact the local Extension Office hosting the workshop. The Workshops are free, but you need to register to reserve your spot. Putting together the right lease isn’t about what is being discussed at the coffee shop, or what a University survey of cash lease rates says; it is about what fits both the landlord and tenant for their circumstance and situation. Attending this presentation will provide a set of ideas to work from as those specifics are discussed.

Several sessions include:

November 15 – Wilber – at Sokol Hall – call Saline County Extension – 402-821-2151

December 6 – Hastings – Adams County Fairgrounds – call Adams County Extension – 402-461-7209

December 7 – Central City – Community Room – call Merrick County Extension at 308-946-3843

For more information, please contact Allan Vyhnalek, Extension Educator, UNL, Extension in Platte County. Phone: 402-563-4901 or e-mail AVYHNALEK2@unl.edu

Crops, Programming, Uncategorized

Risk Management Education

Brandy VanDeWalle

Farmers & Ranchers College Year Planned

The Farmers & Ranchers College was formed in January, 2000 with the purpose of providing high quality, dynamic, up to date educational workshops for area agricultural producers in south central Nebraska through a collaborative effort between business, industry and higher education leaders. Furthermore, the Farmers & Ranchers College will provide the tools necessary so that agricultural producers will be able to respond positively to these changes using a profitable decision making process. The Farmers and Ranchers College is a unique opportunity to educate agricultural producers in south central Nebraska.

During the 2010-11 programs, over 400 farmers, ranchers and agricultural industry representatives from ten counties attended the Farmers & Ranchers College programs. Participants for these programs managed over 150,000 acres and indicated that information learned from attending the program was valued at $20/acre with a potential program impact of around $3 million. Contributions and support of area businesses allow participants to attend at no cost, however for programs that have meals, it is requested that people RSVP at least a week in advance for an accurate meal count by calling Fillmore County Extension at (402) 759-3712.

The Farmers and Ranchers College Committee consists of Fred Bruning of Bruning, Bryan Dohrman of Grafton, Sarah Miller of Carleton, Eric Milton of Milligan, Jim Donovan of Geneva, Bryce Kassik of Geneva, Jake Voss of Davenport, Gordy Nuss of Sutton, and Brandy VanDeWalle of Ohiowa.

 2011 -2012 Farmers & Ranchers College Programming 

  • Nov. 30th – “Global Economic Impacts on the Farm & Ranch” Featuring Dr. David Kohl, 1-4 p.m., Bruning Opera House 
  • Jan. 17th – Cow-Calf College, U.S. MARC near Clay Center from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., registration at 9:30 a.m.*
  • Feb. 15th – “Risk Assessed Marketing/Crop Insurance Workshop” Featuring Art Barnaby, KSU with Brad Lubben, UNL at the Fillmore County Fairgrounds – Geneva, NE at 9:00 – 3:30 p.m., registration at 8:30 a.m.* 
  • Mar. 15th – “Discuss the Undiscussabull” Featuring Elaine Froese, Farm Family Coach – Manitoba, Canada – San Carlos room next to Pour House in Friend, NE with 5:30 registration, 6:00 p.m. meal & program to follow**

* Programs are provided at no cost to the public, but registration is appreciated for a meal count. Please call the Fillmore Co. Extension Office at (402) 759-3712 or email to bvandewalle2@unl.edu one week prior to the program.
**Preferred to RSVP 2-3 weeks before event to receive free materials prior to the program.

Crops, Programming, Uncategorized

Farmers & Ranchers College

Brandy VanDeWalle

Farmers & Ranchers College Year Getting Started

The Farmers & Ranchers College was formed in January, 2000 with the purpose of providing high quality, dynamic, up to date educational workshops for area agricultural producers in south central Nebraska through a collaborative effort between business, industry and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension. Furthermore, the Farmers & Ranchers College will provide the tools necessary so that agricultural producers will be able to respond positively to these changes using a profitable decision making process.

 The first session is slated for November 30th at the Bruning Opera House featuring Dr. David Kohl. His interactive presentation will start at 1:00 p.m. and is titled “Global Economic Impacts on the Farm & Ranch”. Twenty-first century agriculture has many more global interconnections than ever before. This workshop will focus on the new mega trends impacting producers’ profitability and lifestyles. What will be the emerging nations’ role? What will be the economic game changers? How can producers position themselves to capitalize on these trends? Do high farmland values represent a credit or asset bubble? Where is the economy heading? Don’t miss this session with Dr. Dave Kohl, Professor Emeritus of Agricultural Finance and Small Business Management at Virginia Tech, as it will increase your economic literacy, which is critical to managing your business and household.

Registration is free due to the generous sponsorship of Farmers & Ranchers College sponsors. For more information, call the Fillmore County Extension Office at (402) 759-3712.

Good Starting Planning Session for Families

The 2011 Ag at the Crossroads Conference will focus on the Theme: “The Transition of Nebraska Agricultural Businesses”. Ag at the Crossroads will be held on Thursday November 3, 2011 with registration at 8:30 am and program from 9:00 am until 3:00 pm at the Lancaster County Events Center in Lincoln, Nebraska. The Nebraska AgRelations Council chose this theme because the generational change bubble is going to result is accelerated ownership changes in Nebraska farms and agricultural businesses in the coming years. AgRelations President Paul Hay says, “We have an outstanding program put together on this incredibly important topic for the future Nebraska agriculture.”

Advance registrations are $45 by October 28 and $50 at the door. Featured speakers are Dave Specht, Coordinator of Family Business Programs and Lecturer at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Business Administration and Ag Economics Departments; Bruce Johnson, Professor of Ag Economics; Larry Kopsa, Partner in Kopsa Otte CPA’s, Joe Hawbaker of Hawbaker Law Office, and Tina Barrett, Executive Director of Nebraska Farm Business, Inc.

You can call 402-472-2821 by October 28 for reservations and pay at the door or send the names of those attending and payment to the Nebraska AgRelations Council, P.O. Box 830918, Lincoln, NE 68583-0918. For more information e-mail Paul C Hay at phay1@unl.edu, call 402-223-1384.

Crops, Uncategorized

Things to do in the Combine

Brandy VanDeWalle

Things to do while in the combine

With harvest in full swing, many farmers are probably reflecting on the season, but might not be taking notes for next year. This is the time to start planning for next year’s crops.  While in the combine, look for weed and insect problems to fix for next year. Harvest provides an opportunity for a final evaluation of your weed management program and to a lesser extent, your insect management program. As you travel over all of your fields, take a minute to record observations such as where weeds are present.  Be sure to note the exact locations and details so you know how to correct it for next year.

The next step of being a “crop scene investigator” is to make the linkages and relate weed or insect problems with management decisions that were made.  Use your yield monitor to help you adjust your problem areas. 

Former UNL Weeds Specialist, Alex Martin once provided the following on weed management: Small grass and broadleaf weeds are likely to have developed after the first month of the growing season, perhaps after a POST treatment or cultivation or after a PRE treatment has become ineffective. These smaller, late developing weeds may produce seed and perpetuate the problem but are unlikely to have impacted yield. These late developing weeds are most likely in areas where the crop canopy developed more slowly, allowing penetration of the light necessary for weed establishment. Large weeds present at harvest likely are escapes which were not controlled by your primary weed management program. Depending on the number of these weeds, a change may be indicated for your weed management program. 

You may be able to see indications of herbicide resistance at harvest although the picture would have been clearer with an earlier examination. Herbicide resistance is first evident as a limited number of escapes in the field. There are many causes of weed escapes other than herbicide resistance. The key is to look for scattered large plants or small patches that were not controlled by your primary program. Dead weeds adjacent to the large ones provide even more evidence that resistance may be present. These fields should be monitored closely the next year.

Weed patches indicate that your weed management program is not uniformly effective across the field. There may be several causes, however the effect is the same – these field areas will have higher concentrations of weed seed as compared to the rest of the field. This means the problem next year will be most serious in these patches. If you continue to manage the field as in the past, the patches will persist or become larger. A change in management is needed to prevent “growing” these weed patches.

Finally, perennial weeds typically occur in patches and many are less susceptible than annuals to most weed management programs. Perennials usually call for special attention not warranted on the entire field. Identifying problem areas in the fall can make it easier to target them in the spring.

With a little extra effort at harvest you can gather information that will be useful in developing next year’s weed management program.

Crops, Uncategorized

Thistle Control & Fall Needle Drop

Brandy VanDeWalle

Control Thistles during October

As a kid growing up on the farm, my sister and I were always responsible for controlling the thistles in our pastures and on the farm which usually meant picking the heads off of them and using a shovel to dig the plant out.  Along with hauling irrigation pipe, it was not the most enjoyable job on the farm, but it did teach us hard work and responsibility.  If you have thistles and don’t enjoy digging them, now is actually the time to control them with herbicides.

If you walk out to the usual patches, I’ll bet you find many thistle seedlings.  Most thistle seedlings this fall will be small, in a flat, rosette growth form, and they are very sensitive now to certain herbicides.  So spray this fall and thistles will not be a big problem next year.

Bruce Anderson, UNL Forage Specialist offers some great information on controlling thistles this fall. Several herbicides are effective and recommended for thistle control.  Maybe the most effective is a newer herbicide called Milestone, or a combination of Milestone and 2,4-D called Forefront.  Two other very effective herbicides are Tordon 22K and Grazon.  But be careful with Tordon and Grazon since they also can kill woody plants, including trees you might want to keep.  2,4-D also works well while it’s warm, but you will get better thistle control by using a little less 2,4-D and adding a small amount of Banvel or dicamba to the mix.   

Other herbicides also help control thistles in pastures – like Redeem, Cimarron, and Curtail.  No matter which weed killer you use, though, be sure to read and follow label instructions, and be sure to spray on time.

Next year, avoid overgrazing your pastures so your grass stands get thicker and compete with any new thistle seedlings.  Give some thought now to thistle control during October and November.  Your pastures can be cleaner next spring.

 Evergreens turning brown?

If you have noticed that some of your coniferous trees have started to turn brown and have been loosing needles, more than likely your trees are going through a normal phase of their life cycle called fall needle drop.  This can cause concern for homeowners when they see their evergreen trees turn brown, but realize that  the older needles on the inside of evergreen trees are shed each fall after they turn yellow, brown or reddish tan in color.  Some years the process is very subtle and therefore not noticed, especially when it is on the inside part of the tree.  Pine trees can hold their needles for 2-5 or more years, depending on the species. Spruce trees generally hold onto their needles longer than pine trees do, approximately 5-7 years.

Fall needle drop is a natural condition and is not a sign of disease or insect infestation; however, any factor that increases stress on evergreen trees will intensify the autumn needle drop. Stress factors include drought, herbicide injury, root damage and insect or disease damage.

Uncategorized
Brandy VanDeWalle

USDA Outlines SURE Eligibility Requirements for 2011 and 2012 Crops

Ryne Norton, County USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director Ryne Norton, announced that legislative authority for the USDA LogoSupplemental Revenue Assistance Payments (SURE) program ends on September 30, 2011. Producers must meet specific eligibility requirements to receive SURE assistance for disasters that occur on or before September 30, 2011, and affect fall 2011 and 2012 crops.

The SURE program compensates producers for production and/or quality losses during times of disaster. Producers can apply for a 2011 or 2012 SURE payment if a crop of economic significance located in a primary or contiguous disaster county under a Secretarial Disaster Designation suffered at least a 10 percent loss because of disaster occurring on or before September 30, 2011.

Crops are not required to be harvested on or before September 30, 2011, to maintain SURE eligibility. A loss claim will only trigger after FSA determines that the loss was because of disaster occurring on or before September 30, 2011. Losses that result from disasters that occur after September 30, 2011, will not be eligible for SURE benefits.

Producers with 2011 and 2012 crops that suffer losses caused by disasters that occur on or before September 30, 2011, must also meet the following criteria:

  • For insured crops, the insurance policy defines the coverage period as beginning on or before September 30, 2011
  • For Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) crops, the coverage period begins on or before September 30, 2011
  • The final planting date according to RMA and FSA (NAP crops only) occur on or before September 30, 2011.

Ryne also points out that, “If the crop is planted prior to September 30, 2011, but the final planting date is after September 30, 2011, the crop will not be eligible for SURE benefits.”

The sign-up period for 2011 and 2012 SURE will not begin until after the national average market prices are determined for each respective crop year, which is normally one year after the applicable crop year.  For questions regarding the SURE program, please contact the Fillmore County FSA office at 402-759-4463.

 Cover Crops Program

Cover crops will be the focus of a Wednesday, September 28 field day at UNL’s Agricultural Research and Development Center (ARDC) near Mead (1071 County Road G, Ithaca, NE). This free event will be from 1 to 5 p.m. with plenty of time for discussion and to answer your cover crop questions.

The field day will showcase 33 cover crop plots and discuss cover crop options that help build and feed the soil system. Featured cover crops include grasses, legumes, forages, brassicas, cocktail mixes, and others. While these plots were drilled into wheat residue, cover cropping options after corn and soybean harvest also will be discussed.

Speakers will include UNL Extension and NRCS no-till specialists working with cover crops and several cover crop seed vendors who will share their experiences.  Special thanks to Arrow Seed, Green Cover Seed, and Prairie States Seed for providing the seed for the plots.  Door prizes of cover crop seed will be given away for participants to try cover crops on their own farms.