I have received a number of calls from ranchers concerned about Electronic Identification of livestock (EID). Let me start by saying there is no such bill being considered by the Nebraska legislature. I believe concerns about this started with the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) proposing regulation changes. After speaking with the legislature’s Agriculture Committee staff (one of my committee assignment) I learned the proposed changes concern ordinary plastic ear tags that are in common use in the ranching industry. The rule change that got everyone all stirred up says the common plastic ear tag must be able to be read electronically if it has a bar code or a QR code.

Full Disclosure: My wife and I drive a four-year-old hybrid sedan. It runs on the electric motor up to 15 miles -per- hour before the gasoline engine engages. It feels and sounds like it’s dead at stop signs. It averages 44 miles-per-gallon in highway driving. But it’s a hybrid, not an all- electric vehicle.

During the home basketball game on Saturday, February 3, 2024, Ainsworth Community Schools paid tribute to referee Rich Rethwisch. Following are the comments read by Ainsworth Activities Director Luke Wroblewski.

Attorney General Mike Hilgers announced that his office has reached a settlement with Hilton Hotels regarding the disclosure of hidden mandatory fees. The settlement is the latest in a series of Nebraska settlements with major hotel chains, including Marriott, Omni, and Choice, which have all agreed to alter their business practices.

USD A Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Blaine, Brown, Cherry, Keya Paha, Rock, and Thomas counties is reminding producers now is the time to make elections and enroll in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for the 2024 crop year. The signup period is open through March 15, 2024, and producers are encouraged to begin working with the county office to complete the process.

Emergency responders were called to an overturned truck on February 2nd at approximately 3:00 a.m. The truck owned by Ainsworth Feed Processing was eastbound and heading into the west end of the Long Pine Hills on Highway 20 when it crossed the highway and struck the guard rail, overturning and spilling the grain it was hauling.