Ag-Life

Beck’s plant manager Ryan Petr stands in front of a seed corn bagging/boxing machine in the huge processing facility near Phillips. Though empty now, the plant will begin to fill up with locally harvested seed corn starting in September.

Beck’s plant manager Ryan Petr stands in front of a seed corn bagging/boxing machine in the huge processing facility near Phillips. Though empty now, the plant will begin to fill up with locally harvested seed corn starting in September.

Beck’s seed corn plant prepares for ‘26 growing season

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, April 21, 2026
Six months into the change of ownership of the Beck’s seed corn plant at Phillips (formerly Syngenta), noticeable changes have taken place inside the vast complex of buildings along Highway 34, and more changes are in the offing for the future.
Along with the excitement and enthusiasm produced by the advent of a new planting season often come anxiety and depression brought on by the uncertainties and increased isolation that come with it. Counselor Annie De La Cruz of Seeds of Change Counseling says farmers and their families need to be aware of the warning signs of depression.

Along with the excitement and enthusiasm produced by the advent of a new planting season often come anxiety and depression brought on by the uncertainties and increased isolation that come with it. Counselor Annie De La Cruz of Seeds of Change Counseling says farmers and their families need to be aware of the warning signs of depression.

Planting season brings pressure alongside promise for farmers

News Staff
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
Spring is an exciting time for people in the ag industry. Those who raise row crops are anxious to get seed in the ground in anticipation of seeing seedlings appear in a few weeks. Likewise, those who raise livestock enjoy the anticipation of seeing new babies running around.
How farmland is titled can significantly affect whether heirs receive a full, partial, or no stepped-up basis. Understanding these ownership structures can help Nebraska farm and ranch families make more informed transition and estate planning decisions.

How farmland is titled can significantly affect whether heirs receive a full, partial, or no stepped-up basis. Understanding these ownership structures can help Nebraska farm and ranch families make more informed transition and estate planning decisions.

How land title affects stepped-up basis for NE farms

News Staff
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
For many Nebraskans, agricultural land is the most valuable asset they own. While much attention is given to who will inherit land, how the land is titled can be just as important, especially when it comes to whether heirs receive a full stepped-up basis, a partial step-up, or no step-up at all.
The latest Nebraska Drought Monitor Map shows 99 percent of the state to be abnormally dry, with most of Hamilton County in Severe Drought (D2) and a portion along the Platte River on the northwest side of the county is in D3, Exceptional Drought.

The latest Nebraska Drought Monitor Map shows 99 percent of the state to be abnormally dry, with most of Hamilton County in Severe Drought (D2) and a portion along the Platte River on the northwest side of the county is in D3, Exceptional Drought.

Drought Monitor shows county in D2, D3 categories

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
In one sense Nebraska’s unseasonably warm and dry weather since the first of the year has been a blessing. However, farmers and ranchers living in western Nebraska where fires have destroyed hundreds of thousands of acres of last summer’s grass will be quick to say otherwise.
At its core, the growing regenerative ag movement is about restoring what makes Nebraska agriculture possible in the first place: healthy soil. Farmers are turning to cover crops, no-till systems, and diverse crop rotations to combat erosion, improve water infiltration during both droughts and floods, and rebuild soil structure.

At its core, the growing regenerative ag movement is about restoring what makes Nebraska agriculture possible in the first place: healthy soil. Farmers are turning to cover crops, no-till systems, and diverse crop rotations to combat erosion, improve water infiltration during both droughts and floods, and rebuild soil structure.

Back-to-basics approach to farming grows in Nebraska

News Staff
Tuesday, March 24, 2026
Regenerative agriculture is gaining real momentum in Nebraska as producers search for ways to stay profitable in a very tough economic environment.Farmers are facing a significant financial squeeze in 2025–2026, driven by high production costs, low commodity prices, and rising debt.
Regional Extension Economist Anastasia Meyer tells an audience in Aurora last week that planning for passing along a farm to the next generation should include discussions about business, estate planning and the farm owner’s sunset years.

Regional Extension Economist Anastasia Meyer tells an audience in Aurora last week that planning for passing along a farm to the next generation should include discussions about business, estate planning and the farm owner’s sunset years.

Extension program teaches farm succession planning

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
With the average age of Nebraska’s farmers currently at 56.9 years and nearly a quarter of the state’s farmers being in the 65-74 age range, the topic of farm succession is becoming more urgent with each passing year.
Area farmers participate in a Nitrogen Challenge panel discussion held in York last month.

Area farmers participate in a Nitrogen Challenge panel discussion held in York last month.

Area farmers help ‘change the story’ through Nitrogen Challenge

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
Agriculture is facing many challenges these days, not the least of which is low commodity prices coupled with higher input costs. Another concern has to do with how the over-application of nitrogen fertilizer may be leading to the rise of harmful nitrates in our area’s groundwater.
An early corn hybrid from 1958 (right) versus a more modern hybrid from 2015 (left). The modern crops retain leaf nitrogen longer, keeping leaves green for continued photosynthesis that allows plants to increase kernel number and size.

An early corn hybrid from 1958 (right) versus a more modern hybrid from 2015 (left). The modern crops retain leaf nitrogen longer, keeping leaves green for continued photosynthesis that allows plants to increase kernel number and size.

Increased nitrogen efficiency brings new questions

News Staff
Tuesday, March 3, 2026
Editor’s note: This article was written by Terry Julesgard, water department manager at the Upper Big Blue Natural Resources District and was first published on October 28, 2025.
AHS junior Emersyn Dinville

AHS junior Emersyn Dinville

Dinville discovers confidence, community through FFA

News Staff
Thursday, February 19, 2026
Like many Nebraska students, Emersyn Dinville had long been familiar with FFA and the iconic blue jackets that set its members apart. But it wasn’t until her freshman year that she truly understood the organization’s impact — not just in agriculture, but in shaping who she could become.
Extension Educator Jenny Brhel displays the Allen Moeller Pillar Award she received last week from the Nebraska Soil Health Coalition.

Extension Educator Jenny Brhel displays the Allen Moeller Pillar Award she received last week from the Nebraska Soil Health Coalition.

Brhel receives first ever Moeller Pillar Award from NSHC

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
An area Extension educator, soil health advocate and regenerative farmer has become the first recipient of a new award being presented by the Nebraska Soil Health Coalition (NSHC).