Education Commons^™

Ec96-824 Dairy Economics In Nebraska: An Analysis Of Costs And Returns And Comparisons With Other States, H. Douglas Jose, Richard J. Grant

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Dairy Economics in Nebraska

The dairy sector is undergoing major structural changes and economic adjustments. The industry is also becoming more market oriented as government price supports decline. Increased competitiveness has kept milk prices relatively stable, but increased grain and other input costs in 1995-96 have put increased pressure on profit margins which were already narrow.

This publication is a compilation of data related to the current economics of dairy farming. The objective is to provide data to help dairy farmers make adjustments in their operations, such as expanding their herds, and to provide basic data for operators setting up …

Nf96-283 Setting Up Your Own Business: Developing Your Marketing Plan And Sales Goals, Carol Thayer

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebFact has information on preparing market plans and setting sales goals for your business.

Nf96-306 Olestra — Fat Substitute Approved By Fda In January 1996, Linda S. Boeckner, Jan Massey

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

On January 24, 1996, after $200 million and 25 years of study by Procter & Gamble, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved another fat substitute called Olestra. At this time, the product is approved for use only in snack foods such as potato, corn and tortilla chips, and crackers. The company plans to use the fat substitute under the trade name Olean. This publication discusses the facts of this fat substitute.

Rp96-11 The Farm Corporation: What It Is, How It Works, How It Is Taxed, Neil E. Harl

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

A corporation is an artificial person that is created and operated according to state corporation statutes. It is a separate taxpayer subject to specific and detailed federal, state, and local tax laws. The advice and service of your lawyer are indispensable in organizing and operating a farm corporation.

There are three basic forms of farm business organization, the sole proprietorship, the partnership, and the corporation. Variations of these forms have resulted in the limited partnership and the "tax option" corporation. These three basic forms are discussed in this research publication.

Ec96-143 Pesticide Runoff And Water Quality In Nebraska, Steven Comfort, Thomas G. Franti, S.K. Smith

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Nebraska's natural resources provide its residents with an abundance of wildlife, recreation, and agricultural opportunities. Some of the state's most important resources are its lakes, rivers and streams. These surface waters provide year-round habitat for aquatic and terrestrial wildlife, rest stops for migratory birds, and countless hours of enjoyment for outdoor enthusiasts. In addition, surface waters provide a source of drinking water for many Nebraska residents, and are vital for some farming and industrial operations. To better understand how surface waters become contaminated from pesticide runoff, the various factors and processes influencing runoff must be understood. With this understanding, pesticide …

G96-1308 Management Of Eastern Redcedar On Grasslands, John Ortmann, James L. Stubbendieck, George Pfeiffer, Robert A. Masters, Walter H. Schacht

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Developing an integrated control program including prescribed burning, herbicides, and cutting may be the best way to control eastern redcedar in Nebraska, according to recent research. Eastern redcedar is a serious threat to grassland productivity. Some control methods may be too expensive to use on grasslands, but in many cases, an integrated approach combining fire with more intensive follow-up methods will provide reasonable control at an acceptable cost.

Ncr96-235 Feeding Ewes, Leon F. Bush, James Thompson

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Proper feeding and year-roundmanagement of ewes are essential toprofitable sheep production. Feed forthe ewes can be 60 to 80% of the totalproduction costs of the sheepenterprise. Either excessive orinadequate nutrition is expensive. Toavoid these costly extremes you mustknow something of the nutritiverequirements of the ewe throughout theyear. That knowledge may make thedifference between profit and loss inyour operation.

G96-1307 Bioengineering For Hillslope, Streambank And Lakeshore Erosion Control, Thomas G. Franti

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide describes bioengineering techniques for hillslope, streambank and lakeshore erosion control. Tips for a successful bioengineering installation and demonstration project are described. Soil erosion occurs whenever water meets land with enough force to move soil. Often this occurs along streambanks and lakeshores or where excess water flows over hillslopes. While streambank and hillslope erosion can be dramatic, especially after large rainfalls or floods, normal streamflows, excess runoff from urbanized areas and wave action along lakeshores continually erode soil. Erosion can be severe, as is the case in many man-made lakes, where shorelines are composed of easily erodible soil. Traditional …

G96-1280 Drinking Water: Iron And Manganese, David L. Varner, Sharon Skipton, Delynn Hay, Paul J. Jasa

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide discusses recommended practices to manage iron and manganese in a domestic water supply. Iron and manganese are non-hazardous elements that can be a nuisance in a water supply. Iron and manganese are chemically similar and cause similar problems. Iron is the most frequent of the two contaminants in water supplies; manganese is typically found in iron-bearing water.

G96-1279 Drinking Water: Nitrate-Nitrogen (Revised November 1998), Paul J. Jasa, Sharon Skipton, David L. Varner, Delynn Hay

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide discusses practices recommended to manage nitrate-nitrogen in a domestic water supply. Many Nebraskans have questions about the impact of nitrate in their drinking water. Water quality monitoring shows that nitrate is present in groundwater throughout much of Nebraska and that concentrations are increasing in some areas. Nitrogen is essential for all living things as it is an essential component of protein. Nitrogen exists in the environment in many forms and changes forms as it moves through the nitrogen cycle. However, excessive concentrations of nitrate-nitrogen in drinking water can be hazardous to health, especially for infants and pregnant women.

G96-1299 Agricultural Management Practices To Reduce Atrazine In Surface Water, Thomas G. Franti, Fred Roeth, Robert N. Klein, David L. Holshouser, Andrew P. Christiansen, James A. Schild, Gary L. Zoubek

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Ways to reduce atrazine availability, reduce the amount of water runoff, and reduce the impact of the first runoff are covered here. Each year growers face many decisions when planning for a new growing season, including selection of an economical weed control program. Because of their ease of use and effectiveness, many producers use preemergence herbicides to control weeds. Because of its low cost, corn and sorghum growers often select atrazine or an atrazine combination. Nebraska corn growers annually apply an estimated 6.3 million pounds of atrazine. Atrazine is an effective and low-cost herbicide, but there is a hidden cost …

G96-1282 Drinking Water: Man-Made Chemicals, Paul J. Jasa, David L. Varner, Sharon Skipton, Delynn Hay

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide discusses recommended practices to manage man-made chemicals in a domestic water supply. Many Nebraskans are concerned about the effects some of the man-made chemicals that have become part of everyday life may have on their water supply. As the name implies, these chemicals do not exist in nature but were made by man. With proper storage and use of these chemicals and with proper well construction, the risks to groundwater from the chemicals are low and the benefits are many. In some areas of the state, however, industrial solvents, manufacturing chemicals, ammunition wastes, pesticides and grain fumigants have …

Ec96-802 Soybean Basis Patterns, Lynn H. Lutgen

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

The following publication contains soybean basis patterns for several towns in Western Nebraska. The basic price information was collected through surveys, newspaper, electronic media, etc. The listing includes towns that are representative of different geographic locations in Western Nebraska. The amount of data varies among locations. This publication will be updated each year by adding a year's data to each location which will allow the user to observe the changes in the basis patterns over time.

Ec96-142 Conservation Reserve Program: Crp Land Use Guide, Douglas Anderson

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) contracts held by Nebraska producers will begin to expire in 1996. Thousands of acres of grassland will be eligible for haying, grazing or to be returned to other uses. Land-use decisions made by owners and operators will impact the economic viability and long-term productivity of individual farms, as well as the region as a whole.

The intent of the CRP Land Use Guide is not to provide all of the answers, in many instances we don't even know the questions. It is, however, intended to provide an outline of the key issues you will face when …

Ec96-779 Lagoons For Management Of Livestock Manure, Gerald R. Bodman

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

A lagoon is a specifically designed manure storage facility. A properly designed lagoon also functions as a treatment system. Manure in any storage facility undergoes some biological decomposition. However, any decomposition of organic matter which occurs in a conventional storage is coincidental and not part of the design procedure or considerations.

The proper design of a lagoon gives special consideration to biological decomposition of organic matter. In fact, the design is intended to promote or enhance the breakdown of organic matter.

This publication discusses the types of lagoons. It covers the design, construction, and guidelines of maintaining a lagoon.

Nf96-276 Setting Up Your Own Business: Records And Bookkeeping (Revised April 2005), Cheryl A. Burkhart-Kriesel, Paul H. Gessaman

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

A business record system is an important but often unappreciated part of your business management system. Whether you are moving toward a business start-up or have a business that's been operating for months or years, a good record system and disciplined bookkeeping are required for business success.

Your records system and bookkeeping activities are intended to provide a constant flow of information about the state of your business. This NebFact discusses the ins and outs of starting up your records and bookkeeping system.

G96-1287 Design Of A Spring-Loaded Gate Latch For Swine Breeding Facilities, Donald G. Levis, Charlie Gilmore, Gerald R. Bodman

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This publication offers plans and discussion of the spring-loaded gate latch used in swine breeding facilities. Swine breeding facilities function more smoothly when gates have latches that can be worked easily and quickly. A gate latch should be designed so the latch can be released (or fastened) and the gate opened (or closed) with a continuous motion using only one hand. The illustrated gate latch design has worked well in a swine breeding facility. The latch design allows a gate in the partition between two breeding pens to swing into either breeding pen.

Ec96-823 1996 Nebraska Farm Custom Rates - Part I, H. Douglas Jose, William L. Miller

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Every two years a survey of custom operations is conducted to determine the current rates charged for specific machinery operations, The survey is divided into two parts: spring and summer operations, including planting and small grain harvest; and fall operations, including fall crop harvest. This report describes the spring and summer operations only. Part II of this publication includes the information about fall operations.

Ec96-822 Crop Revenue Coverage And Group Risk Plan--Additional Risk Managment Tools For Wheat Growers, Roger Selley, H. Douglas Jose

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This article examines two new multi-peril crop insurance offersings, Crop Revenue Coverage (CRC) and the Group Risk Plan (GRP), that may help wheat producers manage risk. First, bsaic crop-hail and Actual Production History (APH) coverage and the protection they offer will be compared. Then, additional protection offered by CTRC, which is avilable to Nebraska wheat growers on a pilot basis for 1997 with be outlined. Finally, GRP will be discussed, which will also be offered to Nebraska wheat growers for the first time for 1997 crop wheat.

The Federal Agricultural Improvemoent and Reform (FAIR) Act, better known as "Freedom to …

Nf96-297 Life Insurance As An Estate Planning Tool, Paul H. Gessaman

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebFact addresses life insurance as an important estate planning tool.

Nf96-296 Gifting As An Estate Planning Tool, Paul H. Gessaman

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebFact discusses gifting as an aspect of estate planning.

Ec96-780 Equipment Wheel Spacing For Ridge-Till And No-Till Row Crops, Robert D. Grisso, Paul J. Jasa, Alice J. Jones, Todd A. Peterson

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Use of ridge-till and no-till systems has increased dramatically since the early 1980s when ridge-planting equipment and conservation tillage cultivators became readily available. The ridge-till system involves the establishment and annual re-forming of permanent, single-row ridges into which crops are planted year after year. To obtain maximum productivity with the ridge-plant system (and many believe with no-till systems), all wheel traffic should be confined to interrows. Wheel traffic on ridges can alter the ridge profile and condition of crop residue. Ridge deformation or excessive tire sinkage can affect subsequent planter performance, crop emergence and the overall productivity of both ridge-till …

G96-1296 Gear Up And Throttle Down -- Saving Fuel, Robert Grisso, David P. Shelton, Kenneth Von Bargen

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

"Gear Up and Throttle Down" is a fuel-saving practice suitable for light drawbar loads (less than 65 percent of full power) when reduced PTO speed is not a problem.

For the most efficient operation, a tractor's engine should be operated near its rated capacity. However, there are many field operations (such as light tillage, planting, cultivating, and hay raking) that do not require full tractor power. This is especially true when older implements, which were sized for a smaller tractor, are used with higher horsepower tractors. Also, many operations should be performed at a fixed field speed.

For these lighter …

G96-1281 Spring Freeze Probabilities, Steven J. Meyer, Allen L. Dutcher

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Spring freeze probabilities, based on 45 years of data, are examined for 48 locations in Nebraska. The effect of spring freezes on Nebraska's main crops is also discussed.

The potential of a late spring freeze is of great concern to farmers, gardeners, nurserymen, and other plant growers. A climatological analysis of spring freeze events across Nebraska can provide a measure of the risk involved with planting at a certain time of spring.

Ec96-450 Let's Preserve: Meat, Poultry, Fish And Seafood, Julie A. Albrecht, Dennis E. Burson

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Canning meat, poultry and seafood is one way to preserve food for the future. This publication provides accurate, up-to-date methods for safe canning of meat, poultry and seafood.

For general directions on how to can, refer to “Let’s Preserve: Canning Basics” EC90-434.

Nf96-274 Seed Sources For Commercial Vegetable Production, Laurie Hodges

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebFact has addresses of distributors of seeds for commercial vegetable production.

Nf96-273 Establishment Of Kentucky Bluegrass For Seed Production In The Nebraska Panhandle And Southeastern Wyoming, Ray E. Weed, David D. Baltensperger, Robert C. Shearman, Roger Hammons, Jim Krall

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebFact contains information on selecting turfgrass seed fields, preparation of the fields for seeding, fertilizing for grass establishment, seeding, certification of seed quality, cultivar selection and quality maintenance, and suggested additional readings and resources.

Nf96-313 Guides For Development Of A Farmers Market, Laurie Hodges

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebFact contains a list of resources for starting and running a farmers' market.

Ec96-1768 Windbreak Management, James R. Brandle, Craig Stange

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

The windbreaks on your farm are an important part of the agricultural landscape. They provide protection for the farmstead, livestock, and crops; provide habitat for wildlife; and contribute to an overall healthy environment for you and your family. They are living systems with youth, maturity, and old age. Like any other living thing they need proper care and management in order to continue to function at their best.

Windbreak management requires an understanding of how your windbreak works. Your goal is to maintain the health and vigor of individual trees and shrubs while maintaining the overall structure of the windbreak …

Ec96-1770 Windbreaks For Snow Management, James R. Brandle, H. Doak Nickerson

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

In areas of high winds and blowing snow, windbreaks can reduce the amount of effort spent on snow management. They can be designed to spread snow across a large area or to confine it to a relatively small storage area. The design of your windbreak will depend on your objective. Field windbreaks designed to distribute snow evenly across a field should be tall and porous. In contrast, windbreaks designed to capture snow and control drifting should have multiple rows with high density. There is no one set design, number of rows, or width of planting that is ideal for every …