Life Sciences Commons^™

G05-1551 Multiple-Year Droughts In Nebraska, Michael Hayes, Cody Knutson, Q. Steven Hu

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide discusses the history and impact of drought in Nebraska.

Most people understand that droughts have had a major impact on Nebraska in the past. Yet, many Nebraskans continue to be surprised when drought occurs. It is important to remember that droughts, including multiple-year droughts, are a normal part of Nebraska’s climate. This NebGuide discusses the history of drought in Nebraska, and aims to help Nebraskans better understand the range of climatic variability when they plan for drought.

G03-1512 Establishing Conservation Plantings Of Nut Trees And Shrubs By Direct Seeding Methods, Steven D. Rasmussen, Scott J. Josiah, John Wilson

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide explains how to plant and raise nut trees and shrubs from seed. Seeding methods, planting design, site preparation and post-planting care are discussed.

Conservation tree and shrub plantings create wildlife habitat, improve water quality, produce marketable nuts, and enhance landscape diversity. Usually, nursery-grown seedlings are used to establish these plantings. However, a number of problems exist when using seedlings, including increased costs and reduced initial tree vigor and survival. Direct seeding of tree and shrub seeds avoids many of these problems, and is a proven, effective means to establish conservation plantings in Nebraska and elsewhere.

Cc03-431 Make Every Drop Count In Your Home

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

There are four ways to reduce water in your home ...

1. Maintain -- Fix leaks and dripping faucets. Leaks can account for 14 to 25 percent of all indoor water use.

2. Change -- Change the way water is used in the home.

3. Equipment -- Purchase water-reducing equipment and appliances.

4. Think -- Develop creative water conserving practices that are safe and sanitary.

Start wtih the largest water users. The toilet, shower/bath, and clothes washer account for two-thirds of the water used in an average household.

Ec01-150 Range Judging Handbook And Contest Guide For Nebraska, James T. Nichols, Peter N. Jensen

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Range judging contests can be a challenging and effective learning tool for everyone - youth, adults, beginners, professionals - whether from rural or urban areas. This circular provides information about Nebraska's rangelands and grasslands. It is designed to help individuals and teams prepare for range judging contests and to learn more about rangeland and its management. Each of the nine sections that follow corresponds to a section on the range judging scorecard used in contests.

G00-1417 Site Preparation: Key To Successful Conservation Tree Planting In Western Nebraska (Revised February 2002), Doak Nickerson

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Establishing a conservation tree planting can be a challenge in semiarid regions like western Nebraska, where annual precipitation of 20 inches or less is the norm. Tree planting failure commonly occurs as a result of poor site preparation coupled with inadequate weed and grass control the first three to five years after planting. Effective site preparation begins the year before planting. The results help young trees survive and grow in several ways. This NebGuide explains when and how to do site preparation for conservation tree planting in Western Nebraska.

Ec98-787 Glossary Of Ecosystem Terms, Thomas G. Franti, R. Herpel, G.R. Lingle

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This extension circular contains ecosystem definitions from abiotic to wildlife refuge.

Nf97-337 Making Decisions: Buying A Range, Virginia Peart, Shirley Niemeyer

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebFact examines factors to consider when purchasing a range.

Nf97-336 Making Decisions: Buying A Refrigerator, Virginia Peart, Shirley Niemeyer

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebFact examines factors to consider when purchasing a refrigerator.

Ec97-1760 Nebraska Conservation Tree Program

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

The Nebraska Natural Resource Districts distribute tree and shrub seedlings for windbreaks, erosion control, wood products, Christmas trees, wildlife habitat, and other conservation purposes. These trees are not to be used for ornamental purposes or resold with the roots attached.

This booklet contains color pictures and descriptions of most of the species distributed. Table I describes the different soil characteristics across Nebraska. Table II is a quick reference of species recommendations. This information will help rural landowners select the proper species for their particular plantings needs. You may also scan an index of the trees this booklet describes.

Nf97-348 Making Decisions: Buying A Clothes Dryer, Virginia Peart, Shirley Niemeyer

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebFact examines factors to consider when purchasing a clothes dryer.

Nf97-345 Making Decisions: Energyguides And Major Home Appliances, Shirley Niemeyer

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebFact examines EnergyGuide labels and major home appliances.

Nf97-338 Making Decisions: Household Water Saving Equipment And Practices, Shirley Niemeyer

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebFact provides information about water-saving practices in the household.

Nf97-335 Making Decisions: Buying Home Appliances, Virginia Peart, Shirley Niemeyer

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebFact examines factors to consider when purchasing a home appliance.

Nf97-333 Making Decisions: Buying A Dishwasher, Virginia Peart, Shirley Niemeyer

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebFact examines factors to consider when purchasing a dishwasher.

Nf97-321 Converting Crp To Cropland In The Nebraska Panhandle, Drew J. Lyon, Tom Holman

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebFact discusses techniques for converting CRP ground to cropland, including minimum tillage and crop rotations.

Nf97-324 Returning Crp Land To Crops: Cool-Season Grass Management/Cropping Suggestions, Keith J. Jarvi, Melinda Mcvey Mccluskey, William L. Kranz, Steven D. Rasmussen, Charles A. Shapiro, David P. Shelton, John F. Witkowski, Richard T. Clark, Terry Gompert, Scott E. Hygnstrom, Alex Martin, David Holshouser

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebFact contains suggestions for returning CRP land to crop production.

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 …

Ec96-142 Crp Land Use Guide (Conservation Reserve Program), 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 the asnwers - 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 …

G96-1311 Global Warming: What Is Known And Why Nebraska Agriculture Should Care, William E. Easterling, Cynthia Hayes

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

The purpose of this NebGuide is to review the facts of global warming, to point out what is sheer speculation, and to suggest why Nebraska agriculture should care about global warming.

Climatologists talk about global warming one year and the next year they talk about global cooling! Depending on the time periods involved, both views may be correct. Over the next few hundred years, the earth may undergo a general cooling trend. This trend is consistent with the regular shifts into and out of ice age conditions that have characterized the earth's climate history of the last 50,000 years. However, …

Ec96-144 Fertilizer Management For Conservation Tillage, Charles A. Shapiro, Richard B. Ferguson

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Conservation tillage as a means of reducing soil erosion has increased in popularity due to government conservation compliance and economic factors. Management of crops under reduced tillage has necessitated changes in the use of several inputs. The goal of this publication is to focus on the use of fertilizers under reduced tillage with special emphasis on corn production practices.

Nf95-219 Common Ground: State Conservation Reserve, William Miller

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) has been a popular part of the federal farm program for the past several years because it contributes to farm income, soil conservation, and wildlife habitat. Landowners have found the annual payments for enrolling land in the CRP to be a financially attractive alternative to producing crops. Higher commodity prices due to fewer crop acres has been an additional benefit to landowners. Environmentalists have been pleased with the lower soil losses from the land and the improved stream environment associated with the CRP. Wildlife advocates are strong supporters of the CRP. For example, the Wildlife …

Ec94-1772 Windbreaks In Sustainable Agricultural Systems, James R. Brandle, Teresa Boes, Vernon Quam, John Gardner

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Sustainable agriculture is a system of whole-farm resource use balanced with whole-farm productivity. The overall level of productivity achieved is dependent upon the ability to coordinate and manage simultaneously the soil, water, plant, and animal resources within climatic and economic limits. Both the kind and amount of plants and animals supported by the system are important and play significant roles, both individually and collectively in maintaining a healthy farm environment. In the future, integrated systems will help reduce human impact on resources while providing sufficient supplies of high quality food and fiber.

Windbreaks provide protection for people, animals, buildings, crops, …

Nf93-137 Conservation Of Textile Items, Shirley Niemeyer, Patricia Cox Crews

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebFact discusses preservation of textiles.

G91-1061 Conserving Water In The Landscape, Don Steinegger, Frederick P. Baxendale, Garald L. Horse, Dale T. Lindgren

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Conserve water in a landscape by following a prescribed sequence in designing and managing the site.

Beauty and utility traditionally have been the purposes of home landscapes. Because water -- in both quality and quantity -- is becoming a limited resource, conservation has become a third goal. The homeowner can achieve all three by using careful, comprehensive planning.

You can reduce water consumption by 40-80 percent by following an appropriate sequence in designing and managing your site.

G90-964 How Soil Holds Water, Norman L. Klocke, Gary W. Hergert

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide describes the physical characteristics that influence how soil holds water.

Dryland and irrigationd agriculture depend on the management of two basic natural resources, soil and water. Soil is the supporting structure of plant life and water is essential to sustain plant life. The wise use of these resources requires a basic understanding of soil and water as well as the crop.

The available water capacity and characteristics of soils are critical to water management planning for irrigationd and dryland crops. The management decisions of what crops to plant, plant populations, when to irrigation, how much to irrigation, when …

G85-750 Terrace Systems For Nebraska, Elbert C. Dickey, Tom Hamer, Delynn Hay, Paul J. Jasa

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide describes how different terrace shapes and systems can be used to reduce soil erosion losses on sloping fields. Loss of valuable topsoil to erosion prompted Nebraska farmers to build terraces as early as the 1920's. Current estimates indicate that water erodes as much as 140 million tons of soil annually from Nebraska's fields.

Heg82-158 Weatherizing Your Home--Weatherstripping, Kathleen Parrott

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This guide discusses the practice of weatherizing your home through weatherstripping. Selection of materials, types of weatherstripping and buying and installing these products are discussed. Insulation is not the whole story for energy conservation! Even if your home is well-insulated, energy may be wasted through air infiltration. Air can leak around doors and windows, foundations, chimneys, exterior plumbing, etc. In the winter, air heated by your furnace is lost to the outside; in summer, hot outdoor air puts an extra load on your air conditioner. If your home is typical, one-half to three-quarters of your fuel bill is the result …

Heg82-157 Weatherizing Your Home--Caulking, Kathleen Parrott

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide discusses caulking the home to reduce air infiltration and increase energy efficiency. Where to caulk, types of caulking materials, and techniques for caulking are presented. Is your home an energy waster? Even in a well-insulated home, energy can be wasted through air infiltration. One-third to one- half of a typical fuel bill is the result of air infiltration. Air leaks around doors and windows, foundations, chimneys, exterior plumbing, or other parts of the structure. In the winter, air heated by your furnace is lost to the outside; in summer, hot outdoor air puts an extra load on your …

G80-531 Swine Manure Management Systems, Elbert C. Dickey, Mike Brumm, David P. Shelton

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide examines the advantages and disadvantages of various types of swine manure management systems. Manure management is an integral part of any swine production system and must be carefully considered when planning new or remodeled facilities. Manure management objectives may include 1) optimum nutrient retention and utilization; 2) minimum land, labor or capital requirements; 3) odor control; 4) animal and/or human health and performance considerations; or 5) some combination of these objectives. Because of differences in land availability, climate, capital, labor and management skills among producers, a single, best management system for manure cannot be defined.

G79-474 Understanding Wind Erosion And Its Control, William A. Hayes, C.R. Fenster

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Wind erosion is a serious hazard on millions of acres of land in the United States, most of which are in the Great Plains.

There are a number of things an individual can do control wind erosion but basically they all point to accomplishing one or more of the following objectives:

1. Reduce the wind velocity at the soil surface. This is done with windbreaks, crop residues, cover crops, surface roughness, and wind stripcropping.

2. Trap soil particles. This is accomplished by ridging or roughening the soil surface to trap moving soil particles.

3. Increase size of soil aggregates. This …