Nebraska Extension Almanac Radio

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.

Trade tensions, tariffs and unclear enforcement of new deals continue to pressure ag markets. Nebraska Extension Public Policy Specialist Brad Lubben outlines the gains and the risks shaping the year ahead.

Nebraska Extension will be hosting several conferences and workshops in January and February. These included Crop Production Clinics, Land Application Training Days, the Beef Roundtable series and the 2026 Women in Ag Conference.

Farmers enter 2026 with a stronger safety net from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Nebraska Extension Ag Policy Specialist Brad Lubben says major uncertainty remains across trade, biofuels, regulations, and the unfinished farm bill.