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UNL Extension in Scotts Bluff and Morrill Counties

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Commercial/Non Commercial Pesticide Training

Private Pesticide Training

Master Gardener Program

Chemigation Training

Regional strategic planning is focus of Gering conference in May
 


Tractor Safety Training

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension Tractor Safety/Hazardous Occupations Courses will be offered at seven locations in Nebraska during May and June.

Federal law prohibits youth under 16 years of age from working on a farm other than their parents'. Certification through the course grants an exemption to the law allowing 14- and 15-year-olds to drive a tractor and to do field work with mechanized equipment.

The most common cause of death in agriculture accidents in Nebraska is overturn from tractors and all-terrain-vehicles (ATV), said Sharry Nielsen, UNL Extension Educator and course instructor, and are topics covered in-depth in the class work. Mark Hinze, also a UNL Extension Educator and course instructor, will teach the mechanical, safety, and maintenance aspects of tractor operations.

"Instilling an attitude of ‘safety first’ is a primary goal of the course,” Nielsen said. "where youth have the chance to learn respect for agricultural jobs and the tools involved."

Classes consist of two days of instruction plus homework assignments. Classes are from 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. each day. Dates and locations include:
-- May 24-25, Fairgrounds, Kearney
-- May 31-June 1, Haskell Ag Lab, Concord
-- June 4-5, Farm & Ranch Museum, Gering
-- June 7-8, West Central Research and Extension Center, North Platte
-- June 11-12, Evangelical Free Church, Ainsworth
-- June 14-15, Fairgrounds, Beatrice
-- June 18-19, College Park, Grand Island

Pre-registration is strongly encouraged at least one week before a location's start date to Site Coorindator’s Extension Office, 308-632-1480. Cost is $60, which includes educational materials, testing, supplies, lunches and breaks. For more information, contact the Extension Office or Sharry Nielsen at (308) 832-0645, snielsen1@unl.edu.

The first day of class will consist of intensive classroom instruction with hands-on demonstrations, concluding with a written test that must be completed satisfactorily before the student may continue driving tests the next day. Classroom instruction will cover the required elements of the National Safe Tractor and Machinery Operation Program. Homework will be assigned to turn in the next day.

The second day will consist of testing, driving and operating machinery. Students must demonstrate competence in hitching equipment and driving a tractor and trailer through a standardized course as well as hitching PTO and hydraulic systems.  


 Lawn & Garden Show

The 2012 KNEB Lawn & Garden Show is broadcast Saturday mornings on 94.1 from 9:00a.m. - 10:00 a.m. The show is co-hosted by Extension Educator Jim Schild and Jim Neuwirth of ABC Nursery. To ask a question during the show, call 308-632-5632 or email your questions to lawnandgarden@kneb.com. Podcasts of the shows are available for download


Morrill County 2012 Fair Book 
Scotts Bluff County 2012 Open Class Fairbook
Scotts Bluff County 4-H & FFA 2012 Fairbook & Project Deadlines

 

Extension Highlights


Fourth Case of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy in United States cow

On April 24, 2012 the USDA identified a Dairy Cow in California as the fourth case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) discovered in the United States. UNL Extension Meat Scientist, Dennis Burson, and Extension Veterinarian, David Smith, discuss the safeguards currently in place for preventing BSE positive animals from entering the food supply.   More…


On-Farm Research Yields Valuable Data for Producerscornstalks

Numbers show that Nebraska farmers are producing more crops on less land, but farmers are still trying to grow more.  UNL Extension Educators say that with the help of those producers they can gather data to do just that.  Gary Zoubek, UNL Extension Educator in York County, says on-farm research done with producers can be the answer other producers are looking for.   More on this topic from  KOLN-KGIN 10/11 Nebraska Central News...


Lean Finely Textured Beef

Lean finely textured beef, has been in the spotlight recently after a former USDA scientist said the product shouldn’t be used.  Dennis Burson, a UNL Extension meat safety specialist, discusses the process used to create this product, steps taken to avoid pathogen contamination, and how this product is used in ground beef in the video below.  For additional information, UNL Extension would recommend USDA Blog by Dr. Elisabeth Hagen, USDA Under Secretary for Food Safety; a summary “Expert: Facts, education needed about lean, finely textured beef” by Dr. Russell Cross, Texas A&M University meat science expert; and the USDA Fact Sheet on Lean Finely Textured Beef.


On-Farm Researchcornfield

Corn growers can take an active role in a new on-farm research project sponsored by University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension in partnership with the Nebraska Corn Growers Association. The goal of the Nebraska On-Farm Research Network (NOFRN) is to implement a statewide on-farm research program addressing critical farmer questions. Three corn production research topics will be targeted in 2012: irrigation - water application management; nitrogen management; and corn population study. Growers wanting to learn more about the Nebraska On-Farm Research Network and how to participate should contact Glewen at 402-624-8030 or kglewen1@unl.edu or Gary Zoubek at 402-362-5508 or gzoubek1@unl.edu. For information on past on-farm research results and information about the 2012 initiative, visit the CropWatch: Farm Research website .

Upcoming Events Upcoming Events
May 17, 6:00 PM , 
Scotts Bluff County Fairgrounds
May 19, 1:00 PM , 
Panhandle Research & Extension Center
May 21, 6:00 PM , 
Scotts Bluff County Fairgrounds
May 22, 12:00 PM , 
Web Seminar
May 22, 7:00 PM , 
Panhandle Research & Extension Center

IANR News

Extension Webcasts

MJ logo Market Journal
Provides current grain/livestock market commentary and analysis; weather, climate, and soil moisture updates; practical advice from seasoned, working producers; and more.

BYF logo Backyard Farmer
View entire episodes or search for answers to your plant, yard, and insect problems. Watch Backyard Farmer live on NET1 April to mid September (Thursday, 7:00 pm CT). Backyard Farmer Extra airs every Saturday morning during the season at 8:30 am (CT).

Ag Almanac logo Ag Almanac
Audio and video interviews with University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension specialists and educators on topics ranging from crop and livestock production to health and nutrition to lawn and garden care, and more.

WebVideo
A number of UNL-Extension video programs are archived and available for viewing. Topics include water management, crop and livestock production and rural entrepreneurship.