Agriculture Commons^™

G79-464 Composting Municipal Sewage Sludge Slurry, Leon Chesnin

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Municipalities can save operating expenses, eliminate pollution problems and increase the convenience of their waste management program by recycling their sewage sludge slurry in agricultural soils.

Sewage sludge slurries have from 2 to 10-percent solids depending on the treatment plant design and operation procedures. Sewage slurries with more than 8 percent solids are difficult to pump because of high friction in the pipe lines and pump mechanism. Sewage slurries can be applied to agricultural fields by gravity flow and sprinkler irrigation systems, as well as by tank trucks that either broadcast spray on, or inject the slurry into, the soil. …

G79-431 The Four-Flap Graft: An Easy Grafting Technique For Nut Or Hardwood Trees, William A. Gustafson

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide provides directions for a relatively simple method of grafting.

Grafting is the technique of propagation whereby a stem or bud of one plant is joined to a branch or root of another closely related or compatible plant so that a union forms and growth continues. The four-flap graft technique is one of the most successful propagation procedures used by homeowners and amateur tree growers. This technique of grafting does not require a great deal of grafting experience. It is ideal to use with small caliper trees or branches up to one inch in diameter.

Heg79-103 Homeowners Insurance Insights, Kathleen Prochaska-Cue

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This publication provides basic information about homeowners insurance.

Most of us have property we want to protect against unknown dangers that might damage or destroy it. Homeowners or renters insurance can provide that protection. These policies include both property and liability insurance. They usually exclude motor vehicles for recreational or highway use.

The properties covered and the perils those properties can be insured against are listed in the policy. Your house, garage, and other structures on your lot are covered. Personal properties including household contents and other personal belongings are covered up to specified limits. Perils are listed under various …

Heg79-102 Health And Disability Insurance Insights, Kathleen Prochaska-Cue

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This publication covers the basics of health and disability insurance.

Good health is one of the personal goals of almost every individual or family. Because health is so important to a person's plans, providing for good health care--at a reasonable cost--is a major concern.

About 85 percent of the non-institutionalized population in the United States has some form of health insurance. Approximately three-fourths of those people covered are covered through group health insurance policies.

In the past 20 years medical costs have increased rapidly because of an increased demand for medical care by our health-conscious society, a shortage of doctors, …

Heg79-101 Insurance -- What Kind Do You Need?, Kathleen Prochaska-Cue

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide examines various types of risks and the need for insurance.

Have you spent time recently with an insurance agent who was trying to explain an old policy or to sell you a new one? Perhaps you felt you didn't know which questions to ask about what you were signing, or how the policy would pay in an emergency.

Most people would like to better understand insurance terms and the reasons for buying insurance. Before you visit with an agent, you will want to answer some basic questions about an insurance purchase that is adequate for your situation.

G79-428 Spring Flowering Bulbs, Don Steinegger, Anne Streich, Donald E. Janssen

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Selecting, planting, caring for, harvesting and forcing spring flowering bulbs are discussed in this publication.

Spring flowering bulbs may be used to provide early season color in your garden while other plants are slowly developing. When the bulbs have finished blooming, the dying foliage can be hidden by the developing growth of other flowers and shrubs in the bed. Spring flowering bulbs offer an early start to a full season of color in your garden.

You can choose from hundreds of spring flowering bulbs that produce plants varying in flower color, form and height. Among the most popular are tulip, …

G79-466 Egg Cleaning Procedures For The Household Flock, Daniel E. Bigbee, Glenn W. Froning

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide contains steps for producing clean, sanitary eggs. Household poultry flocks may produce a high percentage of dirty eggs. Many of these eggs are soiled because they are laid in dirty nests or are being laid on the floor. Dirty eggs can be a health hazard if they are not properly cleaned and sanitized. The best control method is to prevent soiling of the eggs. We can't stop the production of floor eggs, but we can keep them to a minimum if we start training the flock early.

G79-432 Creep Feeding Lambs, Ted Doane

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide discusses creep feeding for lambs, making supplemental feed available only to nursing lambs.

Creep feeding is a management practice of making supplemental feed available only to nursing lambs. Creep feeding is desirable because: (1) lambs gain as much as a third to half a pound per day more when their milk diet is supplemented with grain, (2) the lambs are ready for market 1 to 2 months earlier, thus earlier marketing is adapted to a higher market for spring lambs, and (3) the lambs are not allowed to go to spring pasture, thus permitting more ewes on the …

G79-436 Control Of Downy Brome In Alfalfa, Charles R. Fenster, Gail A. Wicks, Robert G. Wilson

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Downy brome in alfalfa indicates poor alfalfa management or failure to control downy brome around field boundaries. It lowers the quality of the first cutting of hay, but can be controlled by one or more of the following: (1) planting in downy brome-free soil, (2) maintaining good vigorous alfalfa stands, (3) using adapted varieties, (4) having adequate fertility - especially phosphorus in the soil, (5) applying timely and correct amounts of irrigation water, (6) controlling downy brome in adjacent areas, and (7) use of herbicides.

G78-393 Water Measurement Calculations (Revised November 1984), Dean E. Eisenhauer, Paul E. Fischbach

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Water measurement is an important tool for checking irrigation management skills. Irrigators can use one of several methods to measure water. To take advantage of water management data, a knowledge of water measurement calculations is important.

Units of Water Measurement

There are two conditions under which water is measured--at rest and in motion. Volume units are used for water at rest. Water in motion is described in units of flow.

G78-409 Cattle Grub Control In Nebraska (Revised November 1989), John B. Campbell

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

The control of cattle grubs is discussed here, as are possible insecticide reactions, warnings and restrictions.

Cattle grubs are the immature or larval stages of heel or warble flies. Losses from this insect begin with the fly stage in the insect's life history. As flies seek animals on which to deposit eggs, cattle become frightened and run. The running animal has its tail in the air, bent over the back. This behavior is termed "gadding."

Cattle fail to graze normally during the warble fly season because of gadding. They seek shade or stand in water to avoid the flies. The …

G78-421 How To Choose An Irrigation Consultant, James R. Gilley

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Presented here are some guidelines and criteria to aid in the selection process for irrigation management assistance.

The complexity of agricultural technology makes it difficult for the farmer to apply this technology on a day-by-day basis. Refinement and application of agricultural technology in the field has generally been through industrial representatives and federal and state extension programs.

G78-391 Controlling Poultry Insects, Robert E. Roselle, Earl W. Gleaves

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This publication contains information on the control of poultry insects. Poultry Lice Poultry lice are small, wingless insects with chewing mouthparts. The most common in Nebraska are brown chicken lice and chicken body lice. Less important are large chicken lice, shaft lice, chicken head lice, fluff lice, and several other species which are rarely present. Poultry Mites Several kinds of mites attack poultry. The most common are chicken mites and northern fowl mites. Occasionally scaley-leg mites are a problem.

G78-392 Selecting And Using Irrigation Propeller Meters (Revised May 1984), Dean E. Eisenhauer

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide discusses the use of propeller type irrigation meters to monitor irrigation water use.

Measuring irrigation water is important in efficient water management. Measuring water can be used for the following purposes:

1. Checking irrigation efficiency

2. Determining pumping plant efficiency

3. Detecting well and pump problems

G78-406 Fertilizing Grass Pastures And Haylands, Bruce Anderson, Charles A. Shapiro

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This article discusses managing nitrogen and using phosphorus and other nutrients for grass pastures and hay-lands. Pastures are important to many livestock producers in Nebraska, but production from many pastures is low. Research shows that fertilizing, weed control and rotational grazing increases grass production from pastures, resulting in greater livestock production. Fertilizing and controlling weeds on haylands also increases production. Since more plant material is removed when land is managed as hayland, more attention needs to be paid to fertilization. In addition to increasing grass production, fertilizing can improve forage quality. On-the-farm demonstrations show that fertilizing increases the amount of …

G78-390 Right Crop Stage For Herbicide Use Alfalfa, Sugarbeets, Soybeans, And Fieldbeans (Revised January 1987), Robert G. Wilson, Alex Martin

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

If you are using herbicides on alfalfa, sugarbeets, soybeans, or fieldbeans, information in this Guide will help you apply them at the proper time for best weed control with a minimum of crop injury. Proper timing of postemergence herbicides is essential to achieve maximum weed control with minimum crop injury. As field crops grow and mature, their tolerance to herbicides changes. As a general rule, annual and biennial weeds are more susceptible to postemergence herbicides when they are in the seedling stage, becoming increasingly difficult to control as they mature. The grower is thus faced with the problem of when …

Heg77-78 It's About Time, Kathleen Prochaska-Cue

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide looks at a simple time management system.

An unusual resource each of us has is time. It's unusual because you can't save it for tomorrow, you can't borrow today some you had left over yesterday, you can't lend it to someone else, you can't leave it behind, you can't take it with you.

You can do only two things with time; use it now or lose it forever.

G77-328 Irrigation Water Quality Criteria, Gary W. Hergert, Delno Knudsen

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide is intended to provide guidelines to help understand and interpret chemical water quality test results.

All well and stream waters contain dissolved minerals. The amounts and kinds of minerals vary from one location to another and may vary with time. When irrigation water is applied, the mineral salts are left in the soil after the crop has used the water. Most of these mineral salts are beneficial to crop growth and soil condition, but in some cases they may be harmful. Irrigation water quality problems may be caused by (1) total mineral salts accumulating so that crops no …

G77-355 A Guide For The Control Of Flies In Nebraska Feedlots And Dairies (Revised March 1990), John B. Campbell

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Flies, especially stable and house flies, can create serious and costly problems for feedlot and dairy operations. This publication describes several methods for control.

Several species of flies may be in confined livestock facilities during summer. The stable and house fly are the most serious pests. Blow flies also may be present if molasses is in the diet. Horn flies--small blood-feeding flies--may be present in early spring. These flies overwinter as pupae in or near manure pats in range or pasture. If cattle are not present in the grassland when horn flies emerge, they will migrate to confinement cattle. Normally, …

G77-384 Common Milkweed (Revised July 1984), Alex Martin, O.C. Burnside

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide discusses milkweed and how to control it in farmland.

Common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca L.) is a perennial, broadleaf weed native to North America. It is most common in eastern and central Nebraska, but is occasionally found farther west in moist sites.

G77-344 Annual Flowers For Specific Uses In Nebraska, Dale T. Lindgren

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Wondering what annual flowers to plant where? This NebGuide can help.

Annual flowers grow from seed, come into flower and die in a single growing season. The following lists of annual flowers are grouped for specific uses in Nebraska. Common names are listed first, followed by scientific names.

Heg77-73 Wall Finishes, Magdalene Pfister

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide discusses interior wall treatments: paint, wallpaper and fabric.

Paint is an easy, quick and inexpensive way to get the color you want. If you have a particular color in mind, you are most likely to find it in paint or have it mixed for the desired shade.

Wallpaper and other flexible coverings offer a wide variety of color, patterns and textures, It is possible to find a paper to go with any style of furnishings, formal or informal, in a wide price range. Some patterns are coordinated with fabric.

There are fabrics made especially for wall coverings which …

G77-330 Estimating Pork Carcass Lean (Revised June 1994), Dennis E. Burson

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Four procedures for pork carcass evaluation are given here, along with illustrations.

Pork carcass value is an important factor affecting the profitability of the pork industry. Reproduction traits and growth performance are easily recognized as keys to the profitability and health of the pork industry, yet carcass value also plays an important role. Differences in carcass product value are monetarily recognized by recognizing differences in carcass weight and grade. In addition, the pork industry recognizes that consumption of pork may key on public health concerns relating to reducing fat consumption and the resulting consumer demand for lower fat products.

G77-334 Timber Sale Contracts, Rick Hamilton

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

A good contract protects both seller and buyer from legal problems arising from the harvest and sale of standing timber.

A timber sale contract is a legally binding written document governing the terms of a timber sale. A good contract protects both seller and buyer from legal problems arising from the harvest and sale of standing timber.

Timber has historically been sold under gentlemen's agreements. These verbal agreements have caused seller and buyer dissatisfaction and loss of trust. A contract clarifies the obligations of both parties prior to timber harvest.

G77-342 Sowbugs And Pillbugs, Arthur F. Hagen

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This publication covers the identification, life history, and control of sowbugs and pillbugs.

Homeowners working around shrubs, in the garden, or along the foundation of the house, frequently find little grayish colored bugs. They often describe them as looking like "little armadillos." What they are finding are sowbugs or pillbugs or both. These creatures are not insects, but belong to the same class of animals as crabs and shrimp.

G77-338 Open Burning (Revised March 1984), Donald E. Westover

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

People have been using fire in their cleanup chores for hundreds of years. One of the most common reasons for burning on the farm and in the city alike, has been to dispose of leaves and garden residues in the spring and fall of the year. Another common practice has been to burn tree limbs and stumps, fence posts, even old haystacks on the farm. Open burning has been done on a variety of scales, from jobs as small as burning the day's trash in the backyard burning barrel to jobs as large as burning wheat stubble after harvest.

G77-380 Growing Conifers From Seed, Constance A. Harrington

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide discusses how to grow conifers from seed, including technical terms, collecting and storing seed, and planting and care of the trees.

Growing your own conifer trees from seed is fun and gives you the satisfaction of doing it yourself. The pioneers had to be self-reliant. Many of the old trees in Nebraska were started from seeds the pioneers brought with them or ordered from nurseries in the east or Europe. We are fortunate in having nurseries available to supply a wide variety of planting stock. However, many people are still interested in growing their own seedlings. You may …

G77-383 Marketing Your Timber, Mark Shasby, Neal E. Jennings

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Marketing is the key to getting the most from your timber.

Buying and selling trees is a business transaction. Marketing is the key to getting the most for your timber. Anyone can sell something if they are not concerned about the price received. When you market something, you are selling in a competitive market for the best possible price.

A satisfactory sale occurs when the needs of both buyer and seller are met. The buyer must acquire material at current market prices in order to stay in business and still remain competitive. The timber owner should be paid the fair …

G77-358 Artesian (Confinsed) Aquifers And Effect Of Pumping, Darryll T. Pederson, Deon D. Axthelm

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Nebraskans are concerned about declining water levels in some domestic and stock wells.

Nebraskans are concerned about declining water levels in some domestic and stock wells. Drought and irrigation well development have been major factors. Water level declines have been especially pronounced during the pumping season in places where the aquifer is artesian or confined (a confined aquifer is also referred to as an artesian aquifer). Many domestic and livestock pumps may have to be set deeper in order to yield water. In nearly all cases water levels recover rapidly when the pumping season ends. Large water-level fluctuations are normal …

G77-386 Wheat In Poultry Rations, T.W. Sullivan, E.W. Gleaves

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This publication examines the advantages and disadvantages of wheat as a component of poultry feed.

Wheat is usually considered a source of human food rather than an ingredient for poultry and livestock feeds. This is especially true in the United States, where corn, milo and other feed grains are abundantly produced. In recent years one of every two bushels of wheat produced in the United States has been exported. If world production and supplies of wheat are high, a surplus develops and wheat prices are lowered. When this situation occurs wheat becomes an attractive alternative to corn or milo in …