Ag-Life

Hampton ag teacher Joel Miller (right) poses for a picture with some of his students at a recent land judging competition. Miller has served as the state coordinator for land judging since 2016.

Hampton ag teacher Joel Miller (right) poses for a picture with some of his students at a recent land judging competition. Miller has served as the state coordinator for land judging since 2016.

The awards keep growing for Hampton ag teacher

News Staff
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
Ag teachers are in short supply in Nebraska, making the truly great ones stand out even more. Joel Miller, ag teacher at Hampton Public Schools for 19 years, has gone above and beyond for his students.
The financial needs of both generations involved in a farm succession plan should be considered in order to make a smooth transition.

The financial needs of both generations involved in a farm succession plan should be considered in order to make a smooth transition.

Considerations for successful farm/ranch succession

News Staff
Tuesday, June 24, 2025
In order for there to be a successful transfer of assets and management to the next operating generation, there are several things that should be considered. If they are ignored, the transfer could experience more stress than necessary.
Members of local law enforcement, emergency service agencies and others participate in a public awareness and safety training exercise at the Koch Fertilizer anhydrous ammonia storage facility west of Aurora on Tuesday, June 10. Leading the session at top right is Facility Manager Tony Roth.

Members of local law enforcement, emergency service agencies and others participate in a public awareness and safety training exercise at the Koch Fertilizer anhydrous ammonia storage facility west of Aurora on Tuesday, June 10. Leading the session at top right is Facility Manager Tony Roth.

Koch anhydrous terminal plans for public safety

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, June 17, 2025
It could be said that an important component of Hamilton County’s massive ag infrastructure is “hidden in plain sight” right along Highway 34 west of Aurora.
David Vetter (right), CEO of Grain Place Foods, leads visitors on a tour of the farm near Marquette during a previous field day. Morning farm tours will be also be a part of this year’s field day on July 12, but lunch and the afternoon session will be moved to The Leadership Center in Aurora for a presentation by Ray Archuleta, known nationally as “the Soil Guy,” and a screening of the film “Dreaming of a Vetter Life.”

David Vetter (right), CEO of Grain Place Foods, leads visitors on a tour of the farm near Marquette during a previous field day. Morning farm tours will be also be a part of this year’s field day on July 12, but lunch and the afternoon session will be moved to The Leadership Center in Aurora for a presentation by Ray Archuleta, known nationally as “the Soil Guy,” and a screening of the film “Dreaming of a Vetter Life.”

Changes coming to Grain Place Field Day in July

Ron Burtz
Wednesday, June 11, 2025
Change is just a way of life for the folks at Grain Place Foundation and the organic farm located near Marquette. The Vetter family has been making changes in the way they do farming and shaking up the agricultural world for many years.
A thunderstorm prepares to drop rain on Brandon Hunnicutt’s soybean field near Giltner, some of which has been planted with CropVoice seeds. The special hybrid plant will give off a signal that can be detected by a satellite when a fungus such as white mold infects the plant and before an infection could be seen with the naked eye.

A thunderstorm prepares to drop rain on Brandon Hunnicutt’s soybean field near Giltner, some of which has been planted with CropVoice seeds. The special hybrid plant will give off a signal that can be detected by a satellite when a fungus such as white mold infects the plant and before an infection could be seen with the naked eye.

Hunnicutt plants soybeans that talk to grower

Ron Burtz
Wednesday, June 4, 2025
While the unique plants have yet to emerge from the soil in Brandon Hunnicutt’s soybean field a mile west of Giltner, a sign posted along County Road G announces that some of the plants will have the ability to communicate the first signs of a fungal infection.
Total farm receipts in Nebraska are projected to increase $731 million, to $33.37 billion, as higher cash receipts from livestock and crop insurance indemnities offset the decline in cash receipts from crops.

Total farm receipts in Nebraska are projected to increase $731 million, to $33.37 billion, as higher cash receipts from livestock and crop insurance indemnities offset the decline in cash receipts from crops.

Nebraska farm income projected to increase 55% in 2025

News Staff
Tuesday, May 27, 2025
Nebraska net farm income is forecast to increase 55 percent in 2025, to a record $9.42 billion, according to new projections from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and the University of Missouri.
Francis McDonald stands in front of one of many cattle pens at the feed lot he and his brother, John, operate with the help of their sons near Phillips. Although they’re paying more for feeder calves these days because of the shortage caused by recent droughts in cow country, they’re also enjoying higher prices for their finished product due in part to the current popularity of beef.

Francis McDonald stands in front of one of many cattle pens at the feed lot he and his brother, John, operate with the help of their sons near Phillips. Although they’re paying more for feeder calves these days because of the shortage caused by recent droughts in cow country, they’re also enjoying higher prices for their finished product due in part to the current popularity of beef.

McDonalds riding wave of beef’s popularity, price

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
For Phillips cattlemen Francis and John McDonald, beef is not only what’s for dinner, it’s what’s trending in ag these days. The two brothers, along with four of their sons, operate the F.J.M. Farms cattle feedlot located several miles northeast of Phillips along the Platte River.
The latest Nebraska map from U.S. Drought Monitor shows that conditions in the state range from abnormally dry to extreme drought, with the dryest conditions in the northwestern and northeastern regions of the state.

The latest Nebraska map from U.S. Drought Monitor shows that conditions in the state range from abnormally dry to extreme drought, with the dryest conditions in the northwestern and northeastern regions of the state.

Drought conditions making a comeback this season

Ron Burtz
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
With irrigation pivots around the county already starting to spray water on bare ground or newly emerged seedlings, area farmers may be having flashbacks to this period of time in 2023.
Gov. Jim Pillen (second from left) holds a proclamation naming May as ‘Beef Month’ in Nebraska. He was joined at the proclamation signing ceremony at the Single Barrel restaurant in Lincoln by (from left) Nebraska Beef Council board chairwoman Rosemary Anderson, Nebraska Cattlemen president Dick Pierce and Nebraska Department of Agriculture Director Sherry Vinton.

Gov. Jim Pillen (second from left) holds a proclamation naming May as ‘Beef Month’ in Nebraska. He was joined at the proclamation signing ceremony at the Single Barrel restaurant in Lincoln by (from left) Nebraska Beef Council board chairwoman Rosemary Anderson, Nebraska Cattlemen president Dick Pierce and Nebraska Department of Agriculture Director Sherry Vinton.

Governor declares May ‘Beef Month’ in Nebraska

News Staff
Tuesday, May 6, 2025
Governor Jim Pillen has officially proclaimed May as “Beef Month” in Nebraska, recognizing the essential role that the beef industry plays in the state’s economy, communities and agricultural heritage.
Hamilton County Extension Lead Educator Mariah Newmyer was named by Nebraska Extension last fall as the Lead Educator of the Year for 2024.

Hamilton County Extension Lead Educator Mariah Newmyer was named by Nebraska Extension last fall as the Lead Educator of the Year for 2024.

Newmyer named Extension Lead Educator of the Year

Ron Burtz
Wednesday, April 30, 2025
Having received no less than four separate nominations, Hamilton County Extension office lead educator Mariah Newmyer was honored by Nebraska Extension as the Lead Educator of the Year for 2024. The award was presented at the organization’s annual conference last November in Lincoln.