Ag-Life

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.

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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).
Mitch Oswald

Mitch Oswald

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Oswald takes reins at Hamilton County Corn Growers

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, February 10, 2026
Leadership and growing corn have both been in Mitch Oswald’s blood for a long time, so it was perhaps inevitable that the young Aurora farmer would become the new president of the Hamilton County Corn Growers in December to succeed Mike Bergen.
Chad Johnson (left) laughs while chatting with mechanical engineer Cole Oswald while adding parts to a robot. (Photo by Lev Gringauz/Silicon Prairie News)

Chad Johnson (left) laughs while chatting with mechanical engineer Cole Oswald while adding parts to a robot. (Photo by Lev Gringauz/Silicon Prairie News)

Grain Weevil, Bish recognized for engineering innovation

News Staff
Tuesday, February 3, 2026
Editor’s note: Two companies with Hamilton County roots are among the six Nebraska companies to be recognized by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) in their annual AE50 awards.
Pioneer seed representative Greg Bonifas, left, and his son Grant, stand out front of their facility north of Aurora along Highway 14. Bonifas celebrated his 25th anniversary with the company last year and is helping Pioneer celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2026.

Pioneer seed representative Greg Bonifas, left, and his son Grant, stand out front of their facility north of Aurora along Highway 14. Bonifas celebrated his 25th anniversary with the company last year and is helping Pioneer celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2026.

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Celebrating a century of pioneering hybrid seed

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
This year the Pioneer seed company celebrates 100 years of pioneering hybrid seed corn and other crops. In 1926 plant breeder Henry A. Wallace introduced his Copper Cross corn hybrid which set a new standard for corn yield and performance and helped usher in a new era in farming.
Hampton ag teacher Joel Miller stands next to one of the pens outside the school where the Hawk Herd is cared for by students. The herd presently has five cows ready to calve in the spring and two market calves that will be used for beef for the school’s lunch program.

Hampton ag teacher Joel Miller stands next to one of the pens outside the school where the Hawk Herd is cared for by students. The herd presently has five cows ready to calve in the spring and two market calves that will be used for beef for the school’s lunch program.

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Miller, Hawk Herd to be honored by Y/H Cattlemen

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
The success of Hampton High School’s animal lab, the Hawk Herd, has captured the attention of the York-Hamilton Cattlemen, earning ag teacher Joel Miller a trip to the association’s annual banquet next week to accept an award.
York County cattleman Alan Janzen has been an active member of the York-Hamilton Cattlemen’s Association since the 1970s when he joined as a junior member. Today he owns and operates Circle 5 Beef at Henderson.

York County cattleman Alan Janzen has been an active member of the York-Hamilton Cattlemen’s Association since the 1970s when he joined as a junior member. Today he owns and operates Circle 5 Beef at Henderson.

Farm roots, service shape Circle 5 owner’s career

News Staff
Tuesday, January 13, 2026
Like many people in the agriculture industry, Circle 5 Beef owner Alan Janzen was introduced to cattle farming by his family at a very young age. “I’ve had cattle since I could walk, basically,” Janzen said.
Quentin Connealy looks back at his crops from the seat of his tractor. Connealy, who has been farming full time for the past 15 years, said he has had to deal with increasingly extreme weather. (Photo courtesy of Quentin Connealy)

Quentin Connealy looks back at his crops from the seat of his tractor. Connealy, who has been farming full time for the past 15 years, said he has had to deal with increasingly extreme weather. (Photo courtesy of Quentin Connealy)

Researchers: Axing UNL Atmospheric Sciences Dept. bad for ag

News Staff
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
by Anila YoganathanThis story is made possible through a partnership between Flatwater Free Press and Grist, a nonprofit environmental media organization.In his 15 years of farming full time, Quentin Connealy has weathered his share of storms — literally.The first major flood hit in 2011.