Crop Production Programs
Beef Production Programs
Ag Updates
Forage Production
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Other topics include a discussion on the weather outlook; an update of the Platte River Cooperative Agreement and the associated depletion plans in Nebraska and Wyoming; opportunities available to irrigation districts through the Bureau of Reclamation 2025 program; and a discussion on the role of consumptive use in water savings.
The conference will conclude with pertinent state issues, including an update of Nebraska’s new water legislation, LB962; reports on ground water levels in the North Platte Valley; and the issue of maintaining air quality through issuance of burning permits in Wyoming. CCA continuing education credits can be obtained for those interested.
Cost of the conference is $15. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m., but pre-registration is encouraged so lunch arrangements can be made. To preregister, please call 308-632-1316. For more information call Dean Yonts, Extension irrigation specialist, at the NU Panhandle Research and Extension Center, at 308-632-1246.
Sponsors include the University of Nebraska and the University of Wyoming along with Pathfinder, Goshen, Farmer’s, Gering-Fort Laramie, Mitchell, and Enterprise irrigation districts.
Forecasting the Counter-Cyclical Payment Rate for Corn
On Friday, Jan. 25, the USDA Economic Research Service released Forecasting the Counter-Cyclical Payment Rate for U.S. Corn: An Application of the Futures Price Forecasting Model, a 26-page report by Linwood Hoffman.
Description: The 2002 Farm Act provides for counter-cyclical payments when prices are below specified levels. Producers and policy analysts have a need to forecast counter-cyclical payments to plan for these program benefits/outlays. A futures price forecasting model provides forecasts of the counter-cyclical payment rate for corn in conjunction with forecasts for the season-average price received.
Dr. Charles Hibberd, PHREC Director, will open the program with a report on the Center and Tom Nightingale, HPAL farm manager, will provide a short overview of work there. The following speakers are from the PHREC unless otherwise noted:
Pre-registration for the program, which costs $20, is encouraged by Jan. 31. (Walk-ins also will be accepted.) To register, call the HPAL at (308) 254-3918.
Producers can learn how to improve soil quality, cut costs and
maximize yields. The Conference is presented jointly by representatives of
Iowa State University (ISU), University of Minnesota (UM), University
of Nebraska (NU), South Dakota State University (SDSU), and participating
farmers in coordination with Corn And Soybean Digest Magazine.
Program topics
High Plains Ag Lab Update features research and recommendations Feb. 10
"Focus on the Future" will be the theme of this year's High Plains Ag Lab Annual Program to be held Feb. 10 at the Holiday Inn in Sidney. The Lab at Sidney is a satellite of the University of Nebraska Panhandle Research and Extension Center at Scottsbluff.
Midwest Conservation Tillage Conference Feb. 8-9
Helping producers identify the right conservation tillage system for their operation is one goal of the Conservation Tillage Conference scheduled for Feb. 8-9 in Sioux Falls, S.D. Formerly the Midwest Ridge- and Strip-Till Conference, the coverage is being expanded this year and Corn and Soybean Digest will facilitate the gathering to be held at the Ramkota Inn.
The cost for the two-day conference is $100 and includes a reception,
breakfast and lunch.
To register for the conference, call 800-722-5334 (or 952-851-4698) and ask for the Conservation Tillage
Conference or visit the conference Web site at http://cornandsoybeandigest.com (Link listed under Special Reports). CEU credits will be available.Call the Ramkota Inn, Sioux Falls (605-336-0650) regarding housing.
Central Plains Irrigation Conference and Exposition Feb. 16-17
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For more information, visit the Conference Web site or look for speaker and program details in the Feb. 4 CropWatch. The story will include details on how you can "attend" the conference via the Web as well. The cost will be the same for in-person or Web registrations and CEU credits will be available.
January 13, 2005
Farm machinery cost estimates updated
The University of Minnesota just released "Farm Machinery Economic Cost Estimates for 2005," written by William Lazanus, University of Minnesota Extension economist for farm management, and Roger Selley, University of Nebraska Extension farm management specialist. The estimates provided in this publication use an economic engineering approach to show representative farming industry costs for specified machines and operations. It is available on the Web at http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/businessmanagement/DF6696.pdf
Machine costs are separated into time-related and use-related categories. Use-related costs are incurred only when a machine is used. They include fuel, lubrication, use-related repairs and labor. Time-related costs, also often referred to as overhead costs, accrue to the owner whether or not the machine is used.
The Jan. 8 broadcast is now available on the Web for viewing at http://marketjournal.unl.edu. Senator Roger Wehrbein, Plattsmouth, and Senator Ron Raikes, Lincoln, discuss issues before the 2005 legislative session, specifically funding for ethanol plants, livestock expansion, water concerns, low-level waste settlement, storm sewers, and aid to schools. The program also features: swine market analysis with Al Prosch, director, Nebraska Pork Central; Farm Service Agency programs with Brian Wolford, State Executive Director of the USDA Farm Service Agency; the Four-State Beef Conference with Rick Rasby, Extension swine specialist; and what weather to expect with Al Dutcher, Extension state climatologist.
Market Journal is a production of the University of Nebraska Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources and broadcast weekly on the Nebraska Educational Television Network. The show is broadcast at 6:30 a.m. Saturday on NETV and at 9 a.m. Sunday on NETV2. It also is available on the Market Journal web site.
The program, which will be held at the Agricultural Research and Development Center near Mead, starts with 8:30 a.m. registration and ends with a question-and-answer period at 4:15 p.m. Presenters are faculty and staff in the University of Nebraska Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Topics include: soil and fertilizer phosphorus; micronutrients -- seven essential elements; how soils develop and vary; soil and fertilizer nitrogen; physical and chemical characteristics of soils; macronutrients -- potassium, calcium, magnesium and sulfur; and soil sampling principles.
Registration is $75. Fees include lunch, refreshment breaks, workshop materials and an instruction manual. For more information or to register visit the Web at http://ardc.unl.edu/cmwp.htm, call (402) 624-8000, fax (402) 624-8010, e-mail cdunbar2@unl.edu or contact the ARDC, CMDC Programs, 1071 County Road G, Ithaca, Neb. 68033.
One of the featured speakers includes Minnesota farmer Gary Wagner,
who, along with his brothers, equipped virtually all of their farm
machinery with computers and Global Positioning System receivers in the mid
1990s. Wagner will share how they collected data and put it into useful
management decisions. John Deere specialists Terry Picket and Greg Townsend will discuss the future of precision agriculture technology applications related to machinery automation, water management and
nutrient management.
Participants may choose from 12 concurrent sessions on precision agriculture economics, on-the-go pH and electrical conductivity sensing, managing irrigation systems in spatially
variable fields, using Excel spreadsheets to make management decisions,
high-speed Internet in your cab, managing in-season fertigation with aerial
imagery and more.
Advance registration is $85 if postmarked by Jan. 26 and $110 after that date
for NeATA members and $105 and $130 respectively for non-members. Those
interested in attending can register by sending their name, address, phone
number, e-mail address and payment to the Nebraska Agricultural
Technologies Association, Inc., 1206 W. 23rd St., Fremont, Neb. 68025-2504.
Conference brochures are available at local Cooperative Extension Offices.
Eight Certified Crop Advisor continuing education credits are
available to conference participants. A block of rooms has been reserved until Jan. 19 Midtown Holiday Inn in Grand Island for conference participants. Call (800) 548-5542 for reservations. The conference is sponsored by the Nebraska Agricultural Technologies
Association and Cooperative Extension in the University's Institute of
Agriculture and Natural Resources. For more information, call Dave Varner, Nebraska
Cooperative Extension educator, at (402) 727-2775 or e-mail dvarner1@unl.edu.
The conference will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mountain Time at three locations in western Nebraska:
The Conference is sponsored by the University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension and the Nebraska Wheat Board. For more information, contact your local Extension Office or check out the conference brochure. Conference coordinators are Karen DeBoer, Extension educator, Sidney, 866-865-1703, and Bill Booker, Extension educator, Alliance, (308) 762-5616.
The registration fee of $30 per person, which is due by February 18, includes admission to the conference, proceedings and the noon luncheon.
2005 legislative issues and Canadian/U.S. livestock concerns on Market Journal
The Jan. 15 Market Journal will look at one of the hottest issues facing the new Secretary of Agriculture: What effect will reopening the Canadian Border to feeder and slaughter cattle have on the cattle markets, processors and producers.Jan. 14 program focuses on soil fertility and crop nutrition
Learn the basic science of soil fertility and crop nutrition at a Crop Management Winter Program Jan. 14. The program is at the introductory level and will serve as good preparation for the Certified Crop Advisor exam, said Keith Glewen, University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension educator and program coordinator. It also would be a good refresher course for others, he said.NEATA Conference: Putting ag technology to work on the farm
Crop producers can learn about new ag technologies and gain from the experience of other farmers at the fifth annual Nebraska Agricultural Technologies Association (NeATA)
Conference and Trade Show. It will be Feb. 2-3 at the Midtown Holiday Inn in
Grand Island.2005 Wheat Conference to focus on limited water and irrigation options
The 2005 Wheat Technology Conference will examine wheat production under full irrigation, limited or deficit irrigation and dryland growing conditions. Session topics will include the ground water situation in western Nebraska, how wheat responds to water, techniques for managing winter wheat irrigation, how winter wheat can play a role in managing limited water resources in a production system, hard white winter wheat, fertility, insect and disease management, and tillage.
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The Nebraska No-till Conference will be held on separate days at two sites: Monday, Jan. 31, at the Ag Center, 1308 Second St., Holdrege, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 1, at the NU Agricultural Research & Development Center near Mead, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Topics and speakers will include:
The event is free, but preregistrations are requested by Wednesday, Jan. 29 so that meals can be provided.
To register for the Jan. 31 meeting in Holdrege, please call (308) 995-4222 or email Extension Educator Chuck Burr at cburr1@unl.edu. For the Feb. 1 meeting at the ARDC Center near Mead call (402) 624-8030 or email Extension Educator Keith Glewen at kglewen1@unl.edu Additional information and a registration form are also available on the Web at: http://ardc.unl.edu/notill.htm
Event sponsors include: University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension, a division of the University of Nebraska Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources; Nebraska Soybean Board Lower Platte North Natural Resources District; Tri-Basin Natural Resources District; Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District; USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service; USDA Farm Services Agency; and Farm Credit Services of America.
For more information or to register visit the Crop Management Program Web site, call (402) 624-8000, fax (402) 624-8010, e-mail cdunbar2@unl.edu or mail the ARDC, CMDC Programs, 1071 County Road G, Ithaca, NE 68033.
Fees include lunch, refreshments, workshop materials and
instruction manuals. Early registration is recommended as some sessions
have limited space and preregistration ensures adequate resource materials
are available.
The specific programs are detailed below:
Crop Management Winter Programs offered in February and March
University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension Crop
Management Winter Programs in February and March will provide producers and
agribusiness professionals the latest information on weed management, corn
rootworm control and digital agronomy. The training sessions include in-depth information from Institute of
Agriculture and Natural Resources faculty and staff, the agricultural
industry and others.
Sandi Alswager Karstens
The program will be held simultaneously at three sites: the Agricultural Research and Development Center near Mead, Lifelong Learning Center in Norfolk and at the Adams County Office
Building in Hastings.
Cost: $35 for the Norfolk and Hastings workshops and $45 at the Mead workshop. Lunch will be available at the Mead workshop. CCA credits are pending. Participants must attend both days of this
distance education workshop. Day one topics include: corn rootworm
fundamentals, biology and weather; corn rootworm situations in Illinois,
Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and other states; 2004 corn rootworm
control efficacy trials, and a question-and-answer session. Day two
includes: issues associated with corn rootworm management including soil
insecticides and seed treatments, YieldGard Rootworm corn, adult corn
rootworm suppression, variant western corn rootworm, extended diapause,
management of corn rootworms in 2005, and a question-and-answer session.
Participants will learn the scientific principles of integrated
weed management and how to apply them in practical field situations. Five CCA
credits or one graduate college credit will be granted. Workshop
participants also will study weed science issues, such as weed management
strategies to minimize weed resistance to Roundup. Other topics will include:
weed biology, growth and ecology; critical period of weed control; weed
thresholds; weed shifts; benefits, concerns and risks with herbicide
tolerant crops; herbicide efficacy as affected by time of day applications;
biologically effective doses; and developing a weed control program.
This one-day
workshop at three locations begins at 8:45 a.m. and ends at 4:30 p.m. with
concurrent, hands-on training sessions using the Hybrid-Maize corn
production simulation and WeedSOFT weed management programs. Seven CCA
credits have been applied for. Maximum enrollment for this workshop is 30
at each location. A limited number of computers will be available so
participants are encouraged to bring their own laptops for the hands-on
training. Call (402) 624-8000 for minimum computer requirements.
Participants will learn about trends and emerging opportunities of advanced
information technologies for improving crop management decisions to
increase yields and profit.
IANR News Service
Brown mustard: Production and market potential to be explored
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In 2004, the production of brown mustard became a reality in the Nebraska Panhandle
The following meetings will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.:
Session topics will include: What drives the biodiesel market; mustard, canola, and camelina varieties; production strategies; weed control; on-farm observations; and future research projects. Biodiesel industry representatives also will be available to discuss markets for biofuel crops.
Registration is $20 per person and includes lunch and materials. To register, call the site where you plan to attend: Sterling, Colorado, 970-522-3200; Goodland, Kansas, 785-899-4880; and Scottsbluff, Nebraska, 308-632-1261.
David Baltensperger
Alternative Crops Breeder
Panhandle REC
Private applicators required to recertify in 2005 should have received a letter notifying them of that from the Nebraska Department of Agriculture in mid-December, said university pesticide education specialist Larry Schulze. Letters were sent to more than 13,000 private applicators with expiring licenses statewide.
"The letter has a bar-code eliminating the need to complete the standard NDA application form for those wanting to recertify," he said. Applicators who bring the bar-coded letters to training sessions will not have to fill-out the application form.
"All who are eligible for recertification will be notified by their local Cooperative Extension office of recertification training sessions in their area," Schulze said.
NU Cooperative Extension provides the educational program, while NDA is responsible for licensing. Cost of NU training is $15 per person.
"This year's training includes information on the emerging new disease, soybean rust, which is a great concern for Nebraska producers. Soybean aphids and their identification and management will also be covered.
Other topics include drift reduction nozzles, pesticide residue in tractor cabs, protective pesticide clothing and equipment, corn soil insect management, update on pesticide laws and regulations and special emphasis on pesticide storage security, Schulze said. For a list of training sessions, sites and dates, contact your nearest Cooperative Extension office or go to Pesticide Safety Education where applicators will find pesticide education sites for private applicators listed by county.
"After completing private applicator training, certification applications will be sent to NDA, who will then send a bill to the applicator for the $25 state license fee," Schulze said.
Soybean rust and aphids top topics for private pesticide applicators
Private pesticide applicators with licenses expiring in 2005 and those seeking first-time certification should contact their local University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension office for information on pesticide education training sessions in January, February and early March. Licensed private applicators can buy and use pesticides classified as restricted use in their own farming operations once they have completed this training.
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For more information about these classes, including cost and registration, or UNL's master of agriculture program and future offerings, visit the Agronomy and Horticulture Distance Education web site, contact Namuth at (402) 472-1549 or e-mail dnamuth@unl.edu. Those registering for non-credit or continuing education credit can receive a discount by registering one week before a class or workshop starts.
Dates, class/workshop titles, instructors, location/delivery method and class topics follow:
For more information, call (402) 472-2811. Nebraska Cooperative Extension and the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, both in the university's Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, co-sponsor the sessions.
Presentations will address: cropping system decisions; improving soil structure and intake rate - planters; improving yields through better variety and hybrid selection; countering soybean rust and soybean aphids; seed treatments vs. GMOs; recommendations for improving yields by 10%; and making no-till systems work -- crop residue management, combine modifications and herbicide application.
Schedule
Corn/Soybean Profitability Workshops
Improving corn and soybean yields and profits will be the theme of five workshops to be presented by University of Nebraska crop production specialists in February. Each of the Corn/Soybean Profitability Workshops will address topics of statewide interest as well as include presentations targeted to local issues.
For more information on a specific meeting, contact the Cooperative Extension educator in the host county. Registration for each meeting will begin at 9 a.m. with speakers expected to begin at 9:15 a.m.The registration fee, which varies with the site, includes lunch. CEU credits are expected to be available to those providing their crop advisor number at the meeting.UNL Water and Natural Resources Research Lectures begin Jan. 26
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Several of the series' speakers are from UNL or within Nebraska. Others will travel from as far as Utah, Texas and Vermont.
"The strength of this lecture series lies in the excellence of the speakers and the applicability of their lectures to local water and natural resources issues, across the board," said Jim Merchant, seminar organizer and professor in the School of Natural Resources.
On Feb. 2, Cecil Steward, director of Omaha's Joslyn Castle Institute for Sustainable Communities and former UNL dean of architecture, speaks on balancing population growth and demands on water and natural resources in the Lower Platte River between Lincoln and Omaha.
On Mar. 2, UNL fisheries biologist Ed Peters talks about viewing the Platte River from a fish-eye perspective. Other scheduled UNL lecturers are civil engineer Matt Morley on Feb. 9 and SNR hydrologist Hong Chen, who gives the final lecture on April 27.
Outside speakers include chemist Judy Westrick of Lake Superior State University on algal toxins in water; geologist Kip Solomon of the University of Utah, on using inert gas tracers in groundwater research; civil engineer David Maidment of the University of Texas-Austin speaking on using geographic information systems (GIS) technology in furthering water research; and Robert Costanza, director of the Gund Institute for Ecological Economics at the University of Vermont.
Other speakers are from Iowa State and South Dakota State universities and the U.S. Geological Survey in Kansas and Missouri.
"There are topics here that everyone interested in water, wildlife and natural resources can benefit from, not just university researchers or academics," said seminar co-organizer Kyle Hoagland, director of the UNL Water Center.
Nationally, U.S. inventory of all hogs and pigs on December 1, 2004 was 60.5 million head. This was up slightly from December 1, 2003, but down 1% from September 1, 2004. Breeding inventory, at 5.97 million head, was down 1% from December 1, 2003, but up slightly from from last quarter. Market hog inventory,
at 54.5 million head, was up slightly from last year, but 2% below last quarter.
The September-November 2004 U.S. pig crop, at 25.6 million head, was up slightly from 2003, and up 2% from 2002. Sows farrowing during this period totaled 2.85 million head, down slightly from last year.
U.S. hog producers intend to have 2.86 million sows farrow during the December 2004-February 2005 quarter, 1% above the actual farrows during the same period in 2004, and 3% above 2003. Intended farrowings for March-May 2005, at 2.87 million sows, are down slightly from the same period in
2004, and down 1% from the same period in 2003.
When May arrives, get your thistles sprayed right away and begin
checking your alfalfa so once buds just start to form so you can be ready
for an early first cutting that brings a premium price. In late May, warm-season grass pastures can use some fertilizer and shortly thereafter your summer annuals need to be planted.
Then be ready in early August to prepare and plant turnips or oats
for late fall, early winter grazing. Finally, finish your year by sampling
and testing all your harvested forages so you can plan and feed animals
during winter to meet their needs at lowest cost.
I'm sure you can think of many other items to add to your own
calendar. Make those notes now, and in twelve months you will smile,
knowing you got all your forage work done correctly and on time.
Bruce Anderson
The fall weather allowed alfalfa plants to harden well for
winter, leaving them with a high concentration of nutrients and a low
concentration of water in their roots. This winterized condition enables
alfalfa crowns and roots to withstand temperatures down as low as 5 degrees
above zero.
While this may not sound that cold -- air temperatures often get much colder than that --
fortunately the soil doesn't get as cold as the air
above it. And when soil is covered with a blanket of snow, this snow acts
like a layer of insulation protecting the ground from bitter cold
temperatures. Plus, it reduces the rate that soils and alfalfa roots dry
out. This is why winters with little snow cover can cause more injury to
alfalfa stands, especially if soils also are dry.
Of course, fall management practices affect the process. Tall stubble provides some insulation value and will catch more snow.
While the recent storms and snow cover can be a burden in many ways, they can be a boon and benfit to your alfalfa crop.
Bruce Anderson
Annual grasses like cane, millet, and oats often have elevated nitrate
levels, as do pigweed, kochia, and lambsquarter. If
your hay has lots of these weeds or is an annual grass, be alert to the
potential for high nitrates.
High nitrate feeds aren't always toxic, but they do need to be fed differently. They can be diluted with grain or low nitrate forages and fed in frequent, small meals that slowly increase the amount of nitrate fed helps cattle adapt to high nitrate hay. And make sure cattle have plenty of clean, low nitrate water at all times.
Nitrates cause deaths most often after a snow storm when animals may not eat for a day or more. Avoid feeding high or even marginal nitrate hay at this time because cattle are apt to eat an unusually large meal, creating an overload of nitrates in their systems.
Bruce Anderson
The seminar will start at 9 a.m. with an overview of the Meat Animal
Research Center. Other topics include: the economics of irrigated pastures,
beef heifer development, an electronic animal identification demonstration,
condition scoring beef cows and impact on management, Nebraska's premise
identification system, individual animal identification and technology,
international marketing issues, and a question and answer session on
premise and animal identification, body condition scores, nutrition and
marketing.
The question and answer panel will feature Darrell Mark, university
livestock marketing specialist; Gary Rupp, director of the university's
Great Plains Veterinary Education Center; Steve Johnson, systems analyst,
Great Plains Veterinary Education Center; Rick Rasby, university beef
specialist; Greg Ibach, assistant director, Nebraska Department of
Agriculture; Mike Danehey, Gottsch Enterprises/feedlot manager and
representatives from an electronic identification company. Other speakers include: Terry Hejny, extension educator, Filmore
County; Rick Funston, beef cattle reproductive physiologist at the
university's West Central Research and Extension Center; and Mark Thallman,
Meat Animal Research Center geneticist.
Computers and Internet connections will be available so producers can
get their livestock premises identified and registered. Producers wanting
to register their premises will need to bring their operation's legal
description and 911 address.
The workshop is free but registration is required by Jan. 20.
Refreshments and lunch will be provided. For more information or to register, contact the Webster County
extension office at (402) 746-3417, the Fillmore County extension office at
(402) 7598-3712 or the Clay County extension office at (402) 762-3644.
"Focus on Information and Opportunities" is the theme for the
symposium, sponsored by Cooperative Extension at the University of
Nebraska, Kansas State and Colorado State. It will highlight topics
important for beef cattle producers in southwest Nebraska, northwest Kansas
and northeast Colorado, said Tom Dill, extension educator for the Southwest
Four counties in Nebraska.
"We will offer information on what's important to producers right
now," he said. "It doesn't matter what size your operation is, it will
benefit all producers."
Registration and the trade show begin at 8 a.m. at the St. Francis
Community High School in St. Francis, Kan., in Cheyenne County. The
conference is from 8:50 a.m. to 3 p.m. Registration costs $20 before Jan. 25 and $30 after and includes
lunch. The cost is $15 for each additional attendee if operations bring
more than one person.
Speakers include university specialists and government officials and
industry representatives. Topics include an update on the national animal identification
program; turning animal identification and information into profit; what
producers need to know about foreign animal diseases; rebuilding the cow
herd, options for replacements; selecting genetics to match today's market;
carcass evaluation 101; technologies and tools for implementing individual
animal identification; and what's ahead for cow/calf producers: cattle
outlook for 2005 and beyond.
Bankwest of Kansas, Sunwest Bank of Colorado, Farm Credit of Western
Kansas and First National Bank are co-sponsoring the event.
For more information, contact Dill at (308) 882-4731.
Nebraska hog inventory down 2%
Nebraska inventory of all hogs and pigs on December 1, 2004, was 2.85 million head, according
to the USDA's Nebraska Agricultural Statistics Service. This was down 2% from December 1,
2003, unchanged from September 1, 2004, and the lowest December 1 inventory since 1975.
Breeding inventory, at 355,000 head, was down 4% from December 1, 2003, down 1% from last
quarter, and the lowest December 1 breeding inventory since this series began in 1963. Market
hog inventory, at 2.5 million head, was 1% below last year but slightly above last quarter.
The September-November 2004 Nebraska pig crop, at 1.53 million head, was 8% less than 2003 and 6% below 2002. Sows farrowing during this period totaled 170,000 head, 8% below last year. Nebraska hog producers intend to have 170,000 sows farrow during the December 2004-February 2005 quarter, 3% below the actual farrowings during the same period last year, and 6% below two years ago. Intended farrowings for March-May 2005, at 170,000 sows, are 3% below 2004 and down 8% from 2003. Plan year-long forage activities to stay on schedule
At this time of year, most of us have an abundance of new calendars
for next year -- from the coop, the bank, and maybe as a gift. Put these
calendars to good use by planning next year's forage activities now and
make notes on that calendar to complete needed work on a timely basis. For example, order alfalfa and other seeds in January and February to
make sure you get what you want. Then in March remind yourself to pull any
soil samples you didn't get last fall as well as get ready to plant oats at
your earliest opportunity. By mid-April, be sure to get alfalfa planted before corn planting
begins. This might also mean that lime and phosphorus or other fertilizers
needed to be applied even earlier. Cool-season grass pastures also should
be fertilized by mid-April.
Extension Forage Specialist
Snow blanket protects alfalfa
While recent snowstorms may have been a burden to cattle growers, the resulting layer of snow was a boon for alfalfa producers. Alfalfa loves snow. In fact, nothing can increase the chance of
alfalfa surviving winter better than a thick blanket of snow.
Extension Forage Specialist
Test forages for nitrates before feeding
As the new year begins, be sure to test your annual forages
for nitrates before feeding them. Nitrates occur naturally in all forages. At low levels, they are
converted into microbial protein by bacteria in the rumen or excreted, but when nitrate concentrations get too high, they can cause abortions or kill the cow.
Extension Forage Specialist
Extension seminar focuses on beef cow/calf issues, animal identification
Animal identification issues and beef cow/calf management will be the focus of a University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension seminar Jan. 25 at Clay Center. The "Partners in Progress -- Beef Seminar," presented by extension's Farmers and Ranchers College, will be at the U.S. Meat Animal Research
Center beginning with 8:15 a.m. registration.Tri-State Cow/Calf Symposium highlights advances in the cattle industry
Cattle producers can get information on developments
and new opportunities in the beef industry at the Tri-State Cow/Calf
Symposium Jan. 29 in northwest Kansas.
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