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In 2023, Nebraska finally joined the 48 other states that empower parents to choose the best education for their children despite their income or ZIP code. I was proud to cosponsor and support LB 753, the Opportunity Scholarships Act, joining with colleagues from across the state to pass a bill that was long overdue. Many of us may disagree on many other issues, but we came together on this.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting offers for nearly 2.7 million acres from agricultural producers and private landowners through this year’s Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Grassland signup. This program allows producers and landowners to continue grazing and haying practices while protecting grasslands and further CRP conservation efforts. Grassland CRP is part of the Biden-Harris administration’s broader effort to address climate change and conserve natural resources. This year’s signup results include 417,865 acres in Nebraska, behind Colorado which lead the nation with 430,899.

After your visit: Your physician may order blood work, x-rays or a scan of your body. If the concern is acute or potentially a threat to your immediate health, you may be asked to wait for your results in the clinic. Normally, patients may leave and await their results from home. If the physician has requested a follow-up appointment, please schedule prior to your departure. We highly encourage this step as the schedules fill up very quickly.

Elizabeth Exstrom Horticulture Extension Educator Whether you pronounce it toemay-toe or ta-mah-toe, either way you say it they are both delicious. Tomatoes are grown in over 86 percent of home gardens in the United States, making them the most popular homegrown vegetable.

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Corn silage harvest may seem like a long way off, but preparation for a successful harvest begins now. Improper silage storage and fermentation can result in losses up to 20% prior to feeding. Plan your storage now to keep excessive storage losses from happening to you.

We are in what is typically the hottest part of the summer and we need to consider how these temperatures affect our pasture and forage plants. The two primary plant classifications are warm-season and cool-season and this is based on basic plant physiology and their specific photosynthetic pathway.

Hail is a four-letter word that causes high anxiety. Since the average first fall killing frost in Nebraska usually occurs from October 1 to October 10, our growing season is now over halfway with only 70-80 days remaining. So, replanting severely hailed corn or soybeans fields are likely not good options; since even short season corn hybrids need at least 80-90 days of growing days, and the shortest season maturity group soybeans need at least 80 days of growing season for economic yields. Therefore, the best alternative options may be to move from a summer grain production mindset to possible forage options.

The Sandhills Cattle Association (SCA) developed the ‘Steers for Students’ program as an educational program geared toward the youth of the Sandhills. The way it works is the donated calves were penned with the other calves during the Educational, Performance, and Carcass Contest, and the ranchers receive the donated calf’s data during and after the contest.

Nebraskans are excited this time of year to home preserve the great flavors being harvested. A list of steps to follow can make your experience a positive and successful one for the first-time canner or for those who have not canned for a while. Steps to follow prior to home canning each season: Check the directions that come with your canner before starting to can. If you no longer have the directions or have questions about a specific canner, check with the company.