Nebraska Extension Almanac Radio

Potting mixes are not created equal, and choosing the right one is crucial for container gardening success. Stacy Adams, a University of Nebraska – Lincoln Horticulture Professor of Practice says you'll want to check the ingredients before buying that next bag of soil from the gardening store.

Neonatal calf diarrhea, or scours, is a common concern among cow-calf producers. Veterinarian and Nebraska Extension Beef Educator Lindsay Waechter-Mead says understanding why scours occurs is the first step in preventing the problem.

Future enrollment in the Conservation Reserve Program will largely depend on decisions made in the next farm bill, which will determine acreage limits and program incentives. Nebraska Extension Ag Policy Specialist Brad Lubben talks about some of the unanswered questions surrounding the CRP debate.

Recent wildfires in Nebraska have left many cattle operations facing urgent management decisions as they care for injured livestock. Nebraska Extension Veterinarian Becky Funk talks about how to assess and treat cattle with smoke inhalation or burns.

As farmers and ranchers begin recovery efforts following the devastating wildfires, much of the attention now shifts to the massive acres burnt and lack of pasture for cattle. University of Nebraska – Lincoln Rangeland Ecologist Dirac Twidwell talks about the timeline of range and pasture recovery.

Despite historically high cattle and beef prices, the U.S. consumer demand remains resilient even as prices climb. Oklahoma State Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist Derrell Peel says low cattle numbers and high demand will likely persist well into the second half of the decade, setting the stage for continued strength, and potentially even higher highs yet this year.

There are many tools available to help cattle producers improve reproduction management, but adoption remains relatively low, particularly among smaller operations. Kacie McCarthy, Nebraska Extension Cow-Calf Specialist says these tools can improve herd fertility, tighten calving seasons, and enhance genetic progress.

All insects serve a purpose in the ecosystem, but they can become pests when they invade our homes or gardens. Jody Green, Nebraska Extension Entomologist says what we consider pests may simply be insects that are out of place.

Tight cattle supplies, delayed herd rebuilding, and resilient beef demand point to continued market strength for 2026. Oklahoma State Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist Derrell Peel says there are strong indicators that the market will remain profitable with higher cattle prices still on the table for 2026.

Successful reproduction management is essential for any profitable cow-calf operation. According to Kacie McCarthy, a Nebraska Extension Cow-Calf Specialist producers can use several tools and management practices to improve reproductive rates and herd efficiency.

Bovine Congestive Heart Failure is the single most costly health-related problem in feedlots with losses surpassing hundreds of thousands of dollars annually in individual operations. Veterinary Brian Vander Ley an Epidemiologist and director of the Great Plains Veterinary Educational Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln talks about bovine congestive heart failure and what signs and symptoms to look for in your cattle.

Blending generations on the farm can be both rewarding and challenging. Anastasia Meyer, an Associate Agricultural Economist with Nebraska Extension, says that while experience and tradition are invaluable, new research and technology are reshaping how farms operate, and that can create tension when younger family members return home with fresh ideas.

As cattle prices climb, determining what qualifies as a “good” price for a bull becomes more challenging. Randy Saner, a Livestock Systems Educator with Nebraska Extension, says producers need to balance cost control with long-term herd improvement to protect profitability and sustainability.

Farmers and ranchers rely on smart asset management to generate income while protecting and ideally growing their equity. According to Jay Parsons, a Farm and Ranch Management Specialist with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, understanding the difference between depreciable and non-depreciable assets is critical to long-term financial success for any operation.

Transportation of cattle is an essential component of the U.S. beef production system, but the stress caused with moving cattle is also associated with reduced feedlot performance and increased incidents of bovine respiratory diseases. Stephanie Hansen an Iowa State Feedlot Nutritionist says new research on strategic zinc supplementation is helping to fix this issue.

Body condition score, or the cow's external fat layer, is a critical factor in a cow's ability to handle cold stress. Nebraska Extension Beef Systems Specialist Mary Drewnoski says proactive management during the late winter months is essential to reduce cold stress in cattle.

Much of Nebraska is experiencing abnormally dry conditions, which means fires can start and spread more easily than usual. Ben Bohall from the Nebraska Forest service says landowners and rural residence should be aware of changing weather conditions and take precautions against grass and range fires this spring.

Farm transition planning is about more than paperwork, it's about families, communication, and the future of Nebraska agriculture. Nebraska Extension Ag Economist Jessica Groskopf talks about the importance of estate and transition plans.

Cattle are naturally adapted to cold weather, but their ability to stay warm depends on factors such as their winter coat, body condition score, nutrition, and their ability to staying dry. Nebraska Extension Beef Systems Specialist Mary Drewnoski says managing cows properly during winter is crucial to maintaining health and productivity.

Dry conditions and warmer temperatures are increasing the grass fire risk across Nebraska. Ben Bohall from the Nebraska Forest Service talks about the risk for grass and range fires, especially as low humidity and gusty winds persist throughout the state.

Most of the time, ranchers can handle the problems that come up during calving. In certain situations, a call to the vet is needed to get the birthing process done to avoid any problems. Veterinarian and Nebraska Extension Educator Lindsay Waecheter-Mead talks about when producers should call the vet for help.

The House Agriculture Committee released draft farm bill text late last week, and many agricultural industry groups have welcomed and applauded the language, but not all. Nebraska Extension Farm Policy Specialist Brad Lubben talks about difficulties that our elected officials are facing when it comes to enacting farm policy.

The key to any ag land lease agreement is flexibility. Nebraska Extension Ag Economist Jim Jansen says market volatility can wreak havoc on any lease agreements without arrangements that will equally benefit landowner and renter.

The 2018 Farm Bill expired in 2023, and Congress has since been unable to pass the omnibus legislation, which serves to both support U.S. farming and provide a safety net for the food insecure. Nebraska Extension Farm Policy Specialist Brad Lubben talks about why it can be extremely difficult to get a new farm policy bill passed.

Planning the future of your family operation will always be stressful and solutions will take careful planning, especially when there's no next generation. Nebraska Extension Ag Economist Jessica Groskopf talks about strategies and resources to help navigate succession planning without a family heir.

Given recent pricing and potential trends, there may be greater opportunities again for use of distillers that is priced competitively to other protein and energy sources. Nebraska Extension Beef Feedlot Specialist Galen Erickson talks about the nutritional advantages of wet, modified and dry distiller's byproducts.

Over the years it's been increasingly difficult to getting farm bills through Congress and the failure to finish a new farm bill to date are signs of the increasingly fragile state of the traditional farm and food coalition. Nebraska Extension Farm Policy Specialist Brad Lubben talks about the future of the farm bill in 2026.

Farmland leases typically renew on March 1 and right now land values and cash rents are on the top of many farmers minds. Nebraska Extension Ag Economist Jim Janssen stresses the importance of having written agreements in place that benefit the landowner as well as the renter.

With the production of ethanol here in the Midwest, distiller's grains byproducts have become an important part of many beef cattle diets. Nebraska Extension Beef Feedlot Specialist Galen Erickson talks about the nutrition value of byproducts feeds and how they have changed in the last few years.

When Congress passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act in 2025 it delivered a partial farm bill fix, extending and strengthening major safety net programs while leaving several titles unresolve. Nebraska Extension Farm Policy Specialist Brad Lubben explains how the farm bill reached this point and what could shape the 2026 debate.

Corn residue is an outstanding forage resource for wintering cows but can also be an option for backgrounding calves and growing heifers. Nebraska Extension Beef Systems Specialist Mary Drewnoski says adding supplemental distillers to corn residue may be a low-cost protein rich system to consider.

Strategic planning is beneficial to any business, and farm and ranch operations are no exception. UNL Center for Ag Profitability Director Larry Van Tassel talks about the impacts of sound strategic planning and decision-making in today's ag industry.

Nebraska livestock sale barns function as both economic marketplaces and social gathering spaces for many producers. Marilyn Schlake and Cheryl Burkhart-Kriesel from UNL's Center for Ag Profitability discuss new research looking at how sale barns play an important role in rural communities.

The 2025 Nebraska corn season experienced significant disease pressure, featuring record levels of southern rust, rapidly expanding tar spot, and widespread stalk and crown rots. Nebraska Extension Plant Pathologist Tamra Jackson-Ziems talks about 2026 disease pressures and urges producers to plan seed genetics and management practices accordingly.

Nebraska Extension is inviting feedlot owners, managers, employees, and allied industry professionals to attend the 2026 Beef Feedlot Roundtable Series, set for Feb. 17–19 at three locations across western, central and northeast Nebraska. Extension Beef Feedlot Specialist Galen Erickson says the series will feature research-based discussions on feedlot management, cattle health, nutrition, and market outlooks, offering practical information for participants to apply to their operations.

Soybean gall midge, Dectes stem borer, and several plant diseases continue to be some of the most important threats to soybean production in Nebraska. Extension Crop Protection and Cropping Systems Specialist Justin McMechan talks about ways producers can use research information from last year to make more informed decisions about next year's crop.

The right bull can make a world of difference in your breeding program. Nebraska Extension Beef Genetics Specialist Matt Spangler encourages producers to think about what they intend to do with calves before selecting bulls with favorable traits.

Nebraska Extension has several workshops, seminars and training sessions in the month of February. Sessions include pesticide education and manure application certifications, beef production workshops and the Women in Agriculture conference. Check out the IANR calendar for more events and details.

Nebraska Extension has recently published a new study on the effects of insect and disease pests on soybeans from the last growing season. Nebraska Extension Crop Protection and Cropping Systems Specialist Justin McMechan talks about some of the highlights from this year's report.

The Nebraska Corn Board research dollars are continually seeking new opportunities for corn farmers. Rachael Whitehair Director of Innovation and Stewardship at the Corn Board talks about the studies being done and how producers can use that information to stay profitable.

Cows and heifers have periods of high and low nutritional demands though out the year. Nebraska Extension Educator Troy Walz talks about using your competitive advantages such as meadows, irrigated pastures, windbreaks and proximity to crop residue to affordably meet nutritional challenges.

Cattle experience stress in the feedlot during handling events that can negatively impact morbidity, mortality, performance, and carcass outcomes. Extension Feedlot Specialist Jessica Sperber talks about research at Nebraska that is evaluating products that help mitigate stress and maintain performance.

IANR is all about people and the food, water and natural resources that sustain them. Tiffany Heng-Moss, IANR Interim Vice Chancellor introduces herself and discusses some exciting new programs that are helping to develop leaders of tomorrow.

During any given production year, cows and heifers are faced with nutritional and environmental stressors. Nebraska Extension Educator Troy Walz talks about the value of body condition scoring and encourages producers to have a feed management plans in place for every circumstance.

Cold temperatures, fluctuating weather conditions, and increased feed requirements can induce stress in feedlot cattle resulting in health complications. Nebraska Extension Feedlot Specialist Jessica Sperber talks about the importance of water, nutrition, windbreaks and monitoring animal health on your operation.

Many producers across the state have seen an increase in open cows in their herd this breeding season. Rick Funston, Nebraska Extension Beef Cattle Reproductive Physiologist and Nebraska Extension Educator Bethany Johnston say nutrition, bull management, vaccination protocols, and handling of early pregnant animals all play key roles in herd pregnancy rates.

If you'd like to buy farm fresh produce from local growers, an invaluable tool is the updated Buy Fresh, Buy Local guide. UNL Buy Fresh, Buy Local program director Michelle Garwood and staff member Skylar Falter talk about how this unique program is helping connect local growers with consumers.

The winter months present unique challenges for feedlot cattle, particularly in terms of maintaining health and productivity. Nebraska Extension Feedlot Specialist Jessica Sperber offers some strategies to combat winter weather in feedlot cattle.

Some producers have noticed more of their cows are failing to get pregnant, leading to a decline in their herd's reproductive success. Rick Funston, Nebraska Extension Beef Cattle Reproductive Physiologist and Nebraska Extension Educator Bethany Johnston talk management issues that can lead to open cows.

Volatility and uncertainties in the farm markets could spell a murky forecast for this season. Nebraska Extension Public Policy Specialist Brad Lubben talks about what ag policies will remain in effect and what congress will do with the farm bill this fall.

Every rancher knows that colostrum is essential for a calf's health and performance after birth. Nebraska Beef Extension Educator Aaron Berger talks about why colostrum is so important to the health and wellbeing of a calf.