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Wednesday, December 03, 2008
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CNPPID to seek waiver of federal license trigger to protect Lake McConaughy water for future
Lake McConaughy's owner has reached an agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that should preserve water supplies in the future.
"We have what we think is an acceptable deal," Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District Natural Resources Manager Mike Drain told the CNPPID board Monday in Holdrege.
The deal is to jointly seek a waiver for a condition in Central's license with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
— Full Story »
Husker Ag affected by
economic woes, too
The nations financial struggles and the volatility in commodity markets in recent months haven't spared the Husker Ag ethanol plant near here.
In a newsletter sent to the companys shareholders late last week, it was revealed that Husker Ag incurred a net loss of about $12 million for the quarter that ended Sept. 30. In October, the plant incurred an additional net loss of about $10 million.
— Full Story »
 Nebraska ranchers
take on Argentina
The Independent Cattlemen of Nebraska (ICON) adopted a policy resolution during its annual meeting recently to urge Congress to pass two bills that address problems with Argentina.
The first bill would block meat imports from Argentina, which has had disease problems. The second bill would force countries like Argentina—which have the ability to honor debt obligations but refuse to do so—to repay money owed to U.S. businesses. — Full Story » |
 Nebraska Corn Board member visits York
Curt Friesen grows corn in Hamilton County, however he was more than qualified to share his expert opinion during the neighboring York County Corn Growers annual banquet. As a member of the Nebraska Corn Board and chairman of the Upper Big Blue NRD board of directors, Friesen is as current as it's possible to be where such matters are concerned.
The Corn Board, he said, "works really closely with pushing the livestock markets," especially in light of competition from countries such as Brazil. U.S. cattlemen must deal with a Brazilian livestock industry that is at 183 million head on its way to 230 million cattle. That import potential to America is a huge factor in the market. — Full Story » |
Decommissioning old wells protects water quality
While windmills can be picturesque, they're also a potential source of groundwater contamination.
"We all like to see windmills, but few of us stop to think they can contribute to groundwater contamination," said Dave Shelton, a University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension agricultural engineer.
It's not the windmills themselves, Shelton said, but the old water wells beneath them that can contribute to groundwater pollution. — Full Story »
Results of issues, coalitions studies will be part of
Republican Basin computer model
Social sciences researchers from Illinois and Michigan State universities want to add a human element to a Republican Basin computer model now focused on hydrology and economics.
How they accomplish that goal will have implications for similar models in the future. "It's a new way of thinking about how we do models," said project leader and sociologist Stephen Gasteyer, formerly of Illinois University and now at Michigan State.
— Full Story »
 Educator: Ag is the
"Lifeblood of Nebraska"
After a recent visit to a farm, Connie Francis' four-year-old granddaughter informed her mother that she doesn't like eggs that come from chickens. She likes eggs that come from Wal-Mart. Francis is an extension educator for West Central Resource Extension in North Platte. Francis and Randy Saner, extension educator for Lincoln and McPherson Counties, are part of a statewide media tour designed to educate the public on the services Extension provides. The two sat down for an interview Monday afternoon. — Full Story » |
Test before feeding corn stalk bales
Corn stalk bales are everywhere this year. They will provide much needed economical winter feed. — Full Story »
Late harvest puts crunch on field work
As the soybeans and corn have disappeared from the fields in Kossuth County, it's now time for confinement livestock operators to move into their next chore - using the nutrients from their pigs as fertilizer for next seasons' crops. Al Witt is the Midwest Environmental Coordinator for Murphy-Brown. His job is to coordinate a team of eight agronomists to help the 460 contract growers in Iowa, South Dakota and Illinois develop a nutrient management plan. — Full Story »
National Corn Growers Association files objection on VeraSun bankruptcy
National Corn Growers Association Chairman Ron Litterer has filed a formal objection with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware concerning VeraSun Energy Corp.'s bankruptcy. Litterer's objection concerns the proposed disposition of corn contracts by VeraSun Energy, which owns and operates ethanol plants in Ord, Central City and Albion. — Full Story »
Apply today for the 2nd Annual Environmental Stewardship Awards
LINCOLN- The Nebraska Pork Producers Association is proud to announce the 2nd Annual Environmental Stewardship Awards Program. The Environmental Stewardship Awards are designed to promote and reward producers that are making an effort to make Nebraska’s environment safer and keep natural resources safe. — Full Story »
Nebraska Turkey producers present Heineman with holiday turkey
The Nebraska turkey producers today presented Governor Dave Heineman with a NORBEST-NEBRASKA GROWN turkey in recognition of the upcoming holiday season. The Governor announced that he would donate the turkey to the People’s City Mission in Lincoln. — Full Story »
Nebraska-grown Christmas tree directory available
Greg Ibach, the Director of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) would like to encourage Nebraskans to purchase a Nebraska-grown Christmas tree for their holiday season.
“With the holidays rapidly approaching, I’d like to remind Nebraskan’s that there are plenty of Christmas tree growers located throughout our state who offer a wide variety of beautifully grown trees,” said Director Ibach. “When you purchase a Nebraska-grown tree, you are supporting your local economy.” — Full Story »
2009: A challenging time for ag producers
Local ag conference focuses on grain market instability
With the agricultural world topsy-turvy and the whole planet suffering an economic meltdown, 2009 will be a year of challenges.
That was one of the main themes on Wednesday during the 10th annual Ag Conference sponsored by TierOne Bank and KRVN at the Heartland Events Center. — Full Story »
Area farmers lose millions from flooding along Prairie Creek
It has been a bad year for farming along Prairie Creek in the Central Platte Natural Resources District.
Heavy rains - more than 25 inches from April through June this year - caused extensive flooding throughout the Prairie Creek watershed and millions of dollars of crop losses for farmers who were unable to plant their crops. — Full Story »
NRD announces program to cut irrigated acres
The manager of the Curtis-based Middle Republican Natural Resources District announced a 2009 pilot program Wednesday to reduce irrigated acres.
Dan Smith outlined the goals in Cambridge at the Nebraska Republican River Management District Association, which includes the NRDs and surface water irrigation districts in Nebraska's part of the basin.
— Full Story »
Rep River officials think there's enough water for next year
It's been a long time since Republican Basin officials could say with confidence that there should be enough water for Nebraska's uses in the coming year.
With increased 2008 precipitation, full lakes and reduced groundwater pumping, Nebraska Department of Natural Resources officials said Wednesday there should be enough water in 2009.
— Full Story »
 One injured in grain elevator explosion
Investigation underway at Gothenburg cooperative
An employee of All Points Cooperative, in Gothenburg, was injured when the primary grain elevator exploded during the early morning hours on Thursday.
According to Ed Foster, president of the cooperative, the explosion occurred at approximately 3:15 a.m. while the employee was working the dryers in the wet grain storage facility. Foster said the employee managed to escape through the south door and get to safety himself before being transported to a local hospital. — Full Story » |
 Laurel corn grower responds to ethanol criticism
The National Corn Growers Association, under the leadership of its president Bob Dickey of Laurel, responded strongly Tuesday to ethanol critics who launched another wave of attacks on corn and ethanol. This attack on ethanol comes from the same group that failed earlier this year in its efforts to reduce the renewable fuels standard and increase the nation's dependence on foreign oil, the association said. — Full Story » |
 Corn harvest making ground but still behind
With corn harvest two and a half weeks behind as of Sunday, corn yields have been mostly better than expected, but further delays could cause problems. Wet weather last week imposed yet another impediment to this year's harvest, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service, Nebraska Field Office. Last week, Grand Island received 1.46 inches of rain on what has already been a wet fall. — Full Story » |
 Harvest falling far behind schedule
A wet spring, combined with less than average summer temperatures have delayed corn harvest this year.
"Normally, harvest is 75-80 percent complete as we approach Thanksgiving," said Kent Weems, branch manager of North Platte Ag Valley Coop. "Right now, we are running at about 35-45 percent, and some people are as low as 15 percent complete." — Full Story » |
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