Ag-Life

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).
Mitch Oswald

Mitch Oswald

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.

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.