Education Commons^™

Nf96-260 Farmers' Use Of Crop Consultants In Nebraska, William Miller, Ray Supalla, Benedict Juliano

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebFact reports crop consulting survey taken in Nebraska during the 1994 crop year.

G94-1208 Managing The Alfalfa Weevil, Stephen D. Danielson, Thomas E. Hunt, Keith J. Jarvi

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

The identification and life cycle of the alfalfa weevil are discussed along with scouting techniques, economic thresholds, and other integrated pest management tactics.

The alfalfa weevil is the primary insect pest of alfalfa in Nebraska. Management is essential to reduce crop losses, particularly during years when weevil infestation is high. Because there also are years when weevil damage is economically unimportant, it is necessary for growers to become familiar with sampling procedures, management guidelines, and control recommendations so control techniques are not used unnecessarily.

Nf94-206 Common Ground: The Case Of Seasonally Inundated Cropland, William Miller

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Increasing waterfowl migration habitat has been a goal of many groups and individuals for decades. Individuals have provided money for habitat by supporting private organizations such as Ducks Unlimited, and through the purchase of hunting licenses, duck stamps, and habitat stamps. All these activities have helped, but funds have been limited so it has not been possible to provide enough wetland space for the migrating waterfowl.

This NebFact discusses cost effective ways to provide more waterfowl migration habitat on seasonally inundated crops and a seasonal strategy that could provide habitat for geese and ducks during the spring and fall migration …

G93-1171 Using A Chlorophyll Meter To Improve N Management, Todd A. Peterson, Tracy M. Blackmer, Dennis D. Francis, James S. Schepers

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide describes how to use a chlorophyll meter as a tool to improve nitrogen management by detecting nitrogen deficiency and determining the need for additional N fertilizer. Fertilizer nitrogen (N) is increasingly recognized as the source of nitrate contamination in much of Nebraska's groundwater. Improving the efficiency of fertilizer N use reduces the amount of N that can potentially contaminate water resources. Effective management of fertilizer N is a major challenge for grain crop producers. Many factors that affect its efficiency are beyond a producer's control. Weather, equipment limitations and breakdowns, and availability of labor and fertilizer during critical …

Ec92-125 On-Farm Trials For Farmers Using The Randomized Complete Block Design, Phil Rzewnicki

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Farmers are interested in evaluating new agricultural practices on their own farms. To produce results credible to themselves, other farmers, and researchers, a systematic method of testing should be used. If a comparison of agricultural practices results in one practice yielding a few more bushels of crop than another, this does not necessarily mean it is a more valuable practice. The difference may simply be due to field variation or chance.

This circular discusses the on-farm trials and incorporation of the two basic requirements in designing experiments: randomization and replication.

Ec92-891, Farm Financial Records: Record-Keeping Alternatives For Nebraska Producers, Timothy A. Powell, Raymond E. Massey, James E. Friesen

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

A well organized and complete set of records is an important part of a successful farm business. Farm records are needed to prepare income tax reports, as a basis for credit, and to assist with management decisions including lease arrangements, insurance programs, cropping decisions, marketnig, and participation in government programs.

Many options are available to Nebraska producers. They range from the simple hand-kept record books to fully computerized systems. A description of the major alternatives that are available to Nebraska producers follows in this publication.

Ec92-890 Farm Financial Records: Financial Analysis, Timothy A. Powell, Raymond E. Massey, James E. Friesen

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This publication is one is a series of four on farm financial records.

All farmers and ranchers should have a basic set of financial statements at their disposal and they should know how to analyze and interpret them. Financial records can eb used as a management tool, to aid in tax preparation, to provide a basis for credit, and to help in evaluating lease arragements, contracts, farm insurnace, and government programs.

Ec92-888 Farm Financial Records: Accounting Principles, Raymond E. Massey, James E. Friesen, Timothy A. Powell

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

In this publication, you will learn about record-keeping in general and accounting in particular. Acceptable accounting practices, financial statements and their use are presented. The object is to allow you to become familiar enough with accounting to be able to begin using a basic accounting system for various business purposes. This publication selectively chooses those portions of accounting which are applicable to agrticultural producers. The examples used deal with agriculture.

Nf92-108 Sources Of Information — Organic Or Sustainable Vegetable Production, Laurie Hodges

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebFact is a list of companies, organizations and government offices that supply information for the gardener and small farmer who are looking at instituting organic or sustainable vegetable production.

Rp92-217 No. 19 Cost Of Grain Storage, J. William Uhrig

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Grain marketing decisions are among the toughest the farm owner/operator or manager must make. Grain producers store grain to speculate on receiving higher prices, earn a return above storage costs, or to take advantage of government programs. Prices must increase enough to cover the additional costs, or forward contract prices must exceed current prices by more than the cost of storage in order to justify forward pricing. The gain in prices received can come from both changes in price level and changes in basis.

This research publication discusses all the areas of the cost of grain storage.

Ec91-735 The Impact Of Nitrogen And Irrigation Management And Vadose Zone Conditions On Ground Water Contamination By Nitrate-Nitrogen, K.D. Frank, Darrell Watts, Andrew Christiansen, Edwin Penas

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

The single largest contaminant found in ground water samples taken throughout Nebraska is nitrate-nitrogen (nitrate-N). Much of it reaches the ground water as a "non-point source" contaminant leached out of the crop root zone.

Nitrate-N is essential to corn production. However, when leached from the crop root zone it can become a major source of ground water contamination. There are serious contamination problems in shallow aquifers beneath several river valleys in Nebraska. Increasing nitrate-N concentrations are beginning to appear in deeper aquifer.

Ec91-1773 Deer Damage Control In Nebraska, Scott E. Hygnstrom, Bill Baxter

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Nebraskans are fortunate to have two species of deer in the state — the white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and the mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus). They are beautiful and fascinating animals that provide many aesthetic and recreational benefits. They can however, cause problems when they damage agricultural crops, trees and backyard plantings.

This extension circular covers the methods of reducing deer damage through herd management (legal harvest, shooting permits, and live removal), deer fencing, repellents, and scare devices.

Ec89-119 Hail Damage Assessment And Replant Decisions, Charles A. Shapiro, Timothy A. Powell

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Hail is one of the many hazards that can damage a growing crop. Early in the growing season a producer has the option to replant a field seriously damaged by hail. The question is, how do you decide if it is worthwhile to replant, and what information do you need to make an informed decision? Factors to consider when deciding to replant are the expected yield reduction due to hail, the cost of replanting, and the yield potential of the replanted crop. Other information needed to make a rational decision is included in this publication, and several examples are given.

G87-859 Fertilizer Recommendations For Soybean (Revised August 2006), Richard B. Ferguson, Charles A. Shapiro, Achim R. Dobermann, Charles S. Wortmann

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Soybean production in Nebraska has expanded significantly over the past twenty years and is second only to corn in area planted, at almost five million acres. In general, the fertilizer requirements for soybean are typically less than for other crops such as corn, sorghum, and wheat. This guide provides recommendations on how to manage soil fertility with fertilizer and lime applications to optimize the profitability of soybean production.

Ec86-2103 Safe Tractor Operations, Rollin D. Schnieder

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

No one deliberately has a tractor accident. Nevertheless, every year many farmers are killed or injured on, or because of, their tractors.

The causes of such accidents show that improper operation of the tractor or equipment accounts for the greatest percentage of accidents. Improper operation includes excessive speed, operating under the influence of alcohol and chasing cattle. Other accident causes are driving on too steep an incline and inexperience or immature drivers.

This extension circular contains safety hints on how to operate your farm equipment.

G86-773 How To Evaluate Grain Pricing Opportunities, Lynn H. Lutgen

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This is the last in a series of six NebGuides on agricultural options and discusses "homework" needed to evaluate pricing opportunities.

The market is an ever changing dynamic force. While we recognize this, we also realize that to do a good job of marketing, we must be able to evaluate our pricing opportunities. We must be able to evaluate what the market is offering quickly and efficiently. Evaluating pricing opportunities comes from time spent doing homework throughout the year. If we have done this homework, we can listen to the grain market reports (Chicago futures) on the radio and quickly …

Ec85-414 Family Stress: Dealing With Blame, Virginia Molgaard

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

It's natural to look for someone or something to blame when things are not going well or when we are hurt or threatened. For example, persons threatened with the loss of the family farm may find their anguish eased a bit if they can find a place to put the blame.

This publication looks at how and why people blame each other, with emphasis on the current farm financial crisis. We will discover how to avoid blame that hurts us and the people we are blaming, and how to handle self-blame and being blamed by others.

G85-770 An Introduction To Grain Options On Futures Contracts, Lynn H. Lutgen, Lynne A. Todd

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This publication, the third of six NebGuides on agricultural grain options, explains how to use futures options as a marketing tool.

A new agricultural marketing tool is available to farmers. A futures agricultural option is much like an insurance policy. It is a marketing alternative that gives farmers insurance against unfavorable price moves, but allows producers to take advantage of favorable price moves. To better understand terms used in this paper, please see NebGuide G85-768, Basic Terminology For Understanding Grain Options.

Farming Systems In Southern Mali: How To Improve Small Farmers’ Management Behaviors, Amadou Mamou Kone

Master's Capstone Projects

The study aims at designing a need analysis methodology and a curriculum that deals with the decision making process of small farmers in allocates resources cultural production. The research will be implemented in the Operation H Valley (OHV) and with food crop production. The samples under study concern 33 households 4 different villages.

The focus of study was the actual reactions (behaviors) of farmers in terms of decisions made; actions undertaken and the consequences of the actions with regard to three factors: the input supply system (credit system and extension activities), the market system, and the farmers individual goals and …

G81-562 Guidelines For Using Pipewick And Other Selective Applicators, William E. Lueschen, Alex R. Martin, John D. Furrer

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

The use of selective applicators is being rapidly adopted by farmers to supplement their weed control programs. A low-cost method of removing tall, escaped weeds from short stature crops, selective application is also environmentally appealing since the herbicide is applied only to the target weeds and thus only small amounts of herbicides are used.

There are three basic types of applicators available: ropewicks, recirculating sprayers (RCS), and carpeted rollers. This NebGuide discusses each applicator and how it can be used on the farm.

G79-481 Setting A Realistic Corn Yield Goal (Revised January 2004), Achim Dobermann, Charles A. Shapiro

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Corn growers need to set a realistic corn yield goal in order to make sound decisions on corn hybrid, seeding rate, fertilizer application, and irrigation need. The goal should be the most profitable yield that can be expected for the particular set of soil, climate, and management practices. Yield goals should gradually increase over time, but cannot exceed the theoretical yield potential. This NebGuide discusses how to set a realistic corn yield goal by acknowledging climatic yield limitations of corn in Nebraska and the yield history in a field.

Ec78-1744 Prairie Fires And The Nebraska Pioneer, Donald E. Westover

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

For thousands of years prairie fires were a common occurrence in the great plains region of North America. Along with wind, rain, snow, and sunshine, fire was a major ecological force. Long before the white man's influence became a factor Nebraska's prairie land had been shaped, even perpetuated by this ever present force. The following incidents are true life accounts of prairie fires as experienced by homesteaders and settlers around the turn of the century. No attempt has been made to change the grammar or the content of these stories. The words you read are those used by the contributors.

G77-346 Land Use Decisions, Duane A. Olsen

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

New challenges associated with scarce energy and the natural environment have focused attention upon the conflict between public and private interests in land. A review of the characteristics of these public and private interests seems useful for the evaluation of present and future land use policies.

G77-367 Cost Components Of The Farm-Retail Price Spread For Beef, Allen Wellman

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

The farm-retail spread for beef is the difference between the retail price of 1 pound of Choice beef and the farm value of live Choice steer, less the value of the by-products (hide, tallow, etc.).

This NebGuide discusses the trends, costs and profits, problems of price spreads.

G77-360 Balancing Corn Silage Dairy Rations, Foster G. Owen

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

The grain required to balance a ration high in corn silage is much different from the grain needed when feeding high amounts of alfalfa hay. The most common problem is failure to properly balance for protein and calcium. This NebGuide discusses the points to take into account in balancing rations high in corn silage.

G77-381 Suggestions For Making Family Farm And Ranch Operating Agreements Work, Philip A. Henderson

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Both parents and young people are interested in ways to help the younger generation get started in farming. The kinds of arrangements being used are many. No two are exactly alike. Families have different objectives; different resources are involved, and the relative contributions which involved parties make are unique to each family situation.

There are certain principles, however, that need to be recognized in every family farm or ranch operating agreement and they are discussed here in this NebGuide.

G77-378 Odor Controls As Affected By Nuisance Laws, John M. Sweeten, Donald R. Levi

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Confined feeding operations are subject to both public and private air pollution regulation. Public regulation is focused primarily on preventing measurable levels of emissions to the atmosphere. On the other hand, subjective human tolerance levels serve as the basis for private regulation of the environment. The impact of public and private regulatory schemes on feedlots will be reviewed in this NebGuide.

G76-303 Large Round Bale Safety (Revised June 1995), Robert D. Grisso, David Morgan, Rollin D. Schnieder

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide covers the safety aspects for equipment used in large round bale packages such as: balers, front-end loaders, bale handling and transport devices.

Large round baling creates unique safety problems for farmers and ranchers. Large round balers have many moving parts that can cause injury or death if a person becomes entangled. Never leave the tractor seat until the PTO (power take-off) has been disengaged, the engine is shut off, and all moving parts have stopped.

G76-312 What Are Good Labor Relations?, Robert E. Perry

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Good labor relations is the factor most often identified as necessary for successful employment by farm employees. Farmers who employ hired labor also rate "good labor relations" as an important factor, though many rate good wages as more important

What are "good labor relations"? From answers received from employees, they appear to involve a mixture of human characteristics and open communications that build mutual respect and loyalty.

G74-98 Buying A Center Pivot, John W. Addink

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

A center-pivot sprinkler system is a medium cost, low labor irrigation method. A few of these systems have been high cost, high labor irrigation methods. Consideration of a few details in the purchase of the system can help prevent the high cost and/or high labor.

Many different types of systems are available today. Consideration must be given to soil texture and slope of the field to be irrigated with the center-pivot. This publication covers what to look for when purchasing a center-pivot sprinkler system.