Ag-Life

The adoption of soil health management systems by ag producers involves more than just looking at profits and reducing inputs. In her interviews with Nebraska and Kansas farmers who have made the transition, Julie Snorek examined the psychological and social dynamics in play.

The adoption of soil health management systems by ag producers involves more than just looking at profits and reducing inputs. In her interviews with Nebraska and Kansas farmers who have made the transition, Julie Snorek examined the psychological and social dynamics in play.

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Soil, psychology, sociology: What’s the connection?

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, October 21, 2025
When it comes to promoting good soil health practices the disciplines of psychology and sociology probably don’t come immediately to mind.
A farmer harvests corn in an irrigated field northeast of Marquette last week. Corn yields are reported to be only average this year locally, due to disease pressure from tar spot and southern rust as well as some unfavorable weather conditions later in the growing season.

A farmer harvests corn in an irrigated field northeast of Marquette last week. Corn yields are reported to be only average this year locally, due to disease pressure from tar spot and southern rust as well as some unfavorable weather conditions later in the growing season.

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Local corn yields expected to be only average

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, October 14, 2025
With the soybean harvest nearly complete in Hamilton County and the corn harvest well underway after being delayed by abundant rains the first weekend of October, reports are starting to come in regarding the yield totals and quality of this year’s crops.
A farmer harvests soybeans along County Road 2 west of Stockham last week. Grain prices continue to be depressed, and a big crop in many regions will help, but it won’t entirely fix the cash-flow problem for many operations.

A farmer harvests soybeans along County Road 2 west of Stockham last week. Grain prices continue to be depressed, and a big crop in many regions will help, but it won’t entirely fix the cash-flow problem for many operations.

Crop revenue: Cash flow & government support

News Staff
Tuesday, October 7, 2025
Crop producers are harvesting what is expected to be a bumper crop this fall, but lower prices have taken a bite out of the resulting revenue and left producers with less to count at the end of the day. The resulting cash flow will challenge producers, although government support will help in time.
Brian Brhel stands on one of his no-till fields with grazing cattle, showcasing integrated crops and livestock practices that support soil health and farm resilience. (Photo credit Caro Córdova UNL Department of Agronomy and Horticulture)

Brian Brhel stands on one of his no-till fields with grazing cattle, showcasing integrated crops and livestock practices that support soil health and farm resilience. (Photo credit Caro Córdova UNL Department of Agronomy and Horticulture)

Monthly series: Balancing soil health and cash flow

News Staff
Tuesday, September 30, 2025
Editor’s note: This is the first in a new monthly series from the UNL Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, titled “Soil Health Stories,” featuring Nebraska farmers and ranchers.
Tim Sullivan (left), executive director of Farm Rescue, visits with FFA students from Hartington at the organization’s booth at Husker Harvest Days. The non-profit, based in Jamestown, N.D., has hundreds of volunteers across 10 states ready to help farmers during a time of crisis with planting or harvest.

Tim Sullivan (left), executive director of Farm Rescue, visits with FFA students from Hartington at the organization’s booth at Husker Harvest Days. The non-profit, based in Jamestown, N.D., has hundreds of volunteers across 10 states ready to help farmers during a time of crisis with planting or harvest.

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Farm Rescue: A tradition of neighbor helping neighbor

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, September 23, 2025
The tradition of neighbor helping neighbor, especially in a time of crisis, is as old as farming itself, but for the past 20 years a North Dakota non-profit has been doing that on a grand scale. Farm Rescue, started in 2005 in Jamestown, N.D.
Gov. Jim Pillen speaks on Wednesday at Husker Harvest Days about his recent trade mission to Japan, the future of ag careers in Nebraska and his legislative priorities for next year. Pictured from left are State Ag Director Sherry Vinton, Pillen, Nebraska Farmer Senior Editor Curt Arens and staff writer Elizabeth Hodges.

Gov. Jim Pillen speaks on Wednesday at Husker Harvest Days about his recent trade mission to Japan, the future of ag careers in Nebraska and his legislative priorities for next year. Pictured from left are State Ag Director Sherry Vinton, Pillen, Nebraska Farmer Senior Editor Curt Arens and staff writer Elizabeth Hodges.

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Pillen: Unlimited future opportunity, careers in NE ag

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, September 16, 2025
Gov. Jim Pillen was wishing he was a few years younger at Husker Harvest Days last Wednesday morning, but not just because he was tired from his recent trade trip to Japan.
Dr. Jason Ackerson (right) of the Soil Health Institute speaks on the profitability of adopting soil health practices at the recent Nebraska Soil Health Coalition Celebration of Learning near Bladen. Standing next to him is Grand Island area farmer Zach Mader, who has transitioned to a soil health management system over the past several years.

Dr. Jason Ackerson (right) of the Soil Health Institute speaks on the profitability of adopting soil health practices at the recent Nebraska Soil Health Coalition Celebration of Learning near Bladen. Standing next to him is Grand Island area farmer Zach Mader, who has transitioned to a soil health management system over the past several years.

Ackerson: Improved soil health means dollars, makes sense

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, September 9, 2025
Most people would agree that a thick layer of healthy topsoil is good for the environment, good for human health and helps stop erosion, but producers also want to know, is it good for the financial bottom line of their farming operations? Dr.
Ben Rhodes, executive director of the Nebraska Ethanol Board, gives a brief history of the ethanol industry in Nebraska during a talk to the Hamilton County Corn Growers Association last Monday night at The Leadership Center.

Ben Rhodes, executive director of the Nebraska Ethanol Board, gives a brief history of the ethanol industry in Nebraska during a talk to the Hamilton County Corn Growers Association last Monday night at The Leadership Center.

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Corn growers hear bullish report on future of NE ethanol

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, September 2, 2025
Though it started out as a comparison of various seed corn varieties planted in the test plot east of Aurora, the Hamilton County Corn Growers’ (HCCG) annual test plot tour and dinner soon turned to the topic of ethanol.
Brylee Mickey (right) keeps her eyes locked on the judge as she participates in 4-H Junior Showmanship at the State Fair in Grand Island Saturday afternoon. Mickey received blue ribbons on both showmanship and breeding ewe. She is the daughter of Clint and Barbie Mickey of Aurora.

Brylee Mickey (right) keeps her eyes locked on the judge as she participates in 4-H Junior Showmanship at the State Fair in Grand Island Saturday afternoon. Mickey received blue ribbons on both showmanship and breeding ewe. She is the daughter of Clint and Barbie Mickey of Aurora.

State Fair is the ‘Big Stage’ for NE ag, 4-H exhibitors

News Staff
Tuesday, August 26, 2025
From thrilling rodeos and llama shows to milking demos and mac & cheese contests, the 2025 Nebraska State Fair is offering an unforgettable lineup of agriculture-centered experiences that celebrate Nebraska’s heritage while inspiring the next generation.
Participants in the Nebraska Soil Health Coalition’s (NSHC) first ever Soil Health Celebration of Learning near Bladen work on answering a questionnaire during the opening session of the event last Wednesday. The event brought together a diverse group of individuals from various sectors of the ag economy to celebrate the progress made by NSHC over the 20 months of its existence.

Participants in the Nebraska Soil Health Coalition’s (NSHC) first ever Soil Health Celebration of Learning near Bladen work on answering a questionnaire during the opening session of the event last Wednesday. The event brought together a diverse group of individuals from various sectors of the ag economy to celebrate the progress made by NSHC over the 20 months of its existence.

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NSHC celebrates progress towards healthier soil

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, August 19, 2025
It was called a day of celebration and it certainly had all of the elements of a party. Held under a big white tent the event featured lively conversations and laughter, good food and an opportunity to create new relationships.