Ag-Life

Former livestock producers Philip (left) and Ralph Ratzlaff hold a photo of their beef operation which began in the early 1970s. The brothers dispersed their operation two years ago, but still remain respected among the cattle industry. Ralph will be an honored guest of this year’s York/Hamilton Cattlemen’s Banquet.

Former livestock producers Philip (left) and Ralph Ratzlaff hold a photo of their beef operation which began in the early 1970s. The brothers dispersed their operation two years ago, but still remain respected among the cattle industry. Ralph will be an honored guest of this year’s York/Hamilton Cattlemen’s Banquet.

Ratzlaffs built cattle operation from the ground up

News Staff
Tuesday, January 24, 2023
by Naomy Snider // York News-Times The roots run deep for Ratzlaff Angus of Henderson, which used to consist of raising some of the best, durable Black Angus in York County. Operated under Ralph Ratzlaff and his brother Philip, the business was dispersed two years ago this week.
The Peard family is all about faith, family and feeding cattle. They include, from left: Ben, Russ, Randyce, Chrissy and Andy Peard. Russ is being honored by the York-Hamilton County Cattlemens Association at the end of this month.

The Peard family is all about faith, family and feeding cattle. They include, from left: Ben, Russ, Randyce, Chrissy and Andy Peard. Russ is being honored by the York-Hamilton County Cattlemens Association at the end of this month.

Russ Peard: A steward of cattle, family

Cheyenne Rowe
Tuesday, January 17, 2023
Faith, family and feeding cattle. Living now in the house he grew up in, rural Phillips resident Russ Peard is dedicated to these three pillars in his life. He is being honored for the latter by the York-Hamilton County Cattlemen at the end of the month. “Our family always had livestock.
Laura Nagengast, Source Water Protection Educator with Nebraska Extension, was a special guest speaker at the annual joint gathering/Extension board training session between Hamilton and Merrick counties.

Laura Nagengast, Source Water Protection Educator with Nebraska Extension, was a special guest speaker at the annual joint gathering/Extension board training session between Hamilton and Merrick counties.

Extension board gathering talks water quality

Cheyenne Rowe
Tuesday, January 10, 2023
Water quality issues in the area and across the state are a topic of major concern for most in the know.
Dr. Sara Place, chief sustainability officer with Elanco Animal Health, presented a unique perspective on the topic of beef cattle and a sustainable food system in a September 2020 webinar through the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension. 

Dr. Sara Place, chief sustainability officer with Elanco Animal Health, presented a unique perspective on the topic of beef cattle and a sustainable food system in a September 2020 webinar through the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension. 

Beef cattle and sustainability: fact vs. myth

Cheyenne Rowe
Tuesday, January 3, 2023
Dr. Sara Place, chief sustainability officer with Elanco Animal Health, presented a unique perspective on the topic of beef cattle and a sustainable food system in a September 2020 webinar through the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension.
Beef cattle are a critical part of a sustainable food system. That is the argument of Dr. Sara Place, chief sustainability officer with Elanco Animal Health. 

Beef cattle are a critical part of a sustainable food system. That is the argument of Dr. Sara Place, chief sustainability officer with Elanco Animal Health. 

Beef cattle: A critical part of sustainable food systems

Cheyenne Rowe
Tuesday, December 27, 2022
Beef cattle are a critical part of a sustainable food system. That is the argument of Dr. Sara Place, chief sustainability officer with Elanco Animal Health.
An issue that started formulating in 2020 has risen to the attention of the agriculture world in the United States yet again.

An issue that started formulating in 2020 has risen to the attention of the agriculture world in the United States yet again.

Potential Mexico GM-corn ban cause for concern

Cheyenne Rowe
Tuesday, December 20, 2022
An issue that started formulating in 2020 has risen to the attention of the agriculture world in the United States yet again. Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) has issued a decree to ban the imports of genetically modified corn for human consumption in Mexico by January of 2024.
Hampton students and ag teacher Joel Miller look on as the newest member of the Hawk Herd, Casper, walks near its mama in the pens behind the school.

Hampton students and ag teacher Joel Miller look on as the newest member of the Hawk Herd, Casper, walks near its mama in the pens behind the school.

Hawk Herd program continues to expand

Cheyenne Rowe
Tuesday, December 13, 2022
Hampton’s Hawk Beef program is moving right along, growing and continuing to feed students within the district, all while teaching others valuable lessons about life and livestock care. As the late fall and early winter months crept into Hamilton County, a new life was welcomed in the herd.
The idea of cold and snow is often off-putting to almost everyone. However, in the agriculture realm, a good layer of snow, or even a freeze, can be beneficial.

The idea of cold and snow is often off-putting to almost everyone. However, in the agriculture realm, a good layer of snow, or even a freeze, can be beneficial.

The sunny side of snow in winter

Cheyenne Rowe
Tuesday, December 6, 2022
The idea of cold and snow is often off-putting to almost everyone. However, in the agriculture realm, a good layer of snow, or even a freeze, can be beneficial. “(With) snow, it depends on how light and fully it is, or how heavy it is,” reported Steve Melvin, Nebraska Extension educator.
Hamilton County is home to prime agricultural ground -- it’s a fact -- and now there are growing figures to back it up.

Hamilton County is home to prime agricultural ground -- it’s a fact -- and now there are growing figures to back it up.

Ag land values trending upward in Hamilton Co.

Cheyenne Rowe
Tuesday, November 29, 2022
Hamilton County is home to prime agricultural ground -- it’s a fact -- and now there are growing figures to back it up. To be more specific, ag land values have increased over the last 18 months, according to experts in the field.
According to Nebraska Game and Parks, 97 percent of the land in Nebraska is privately owned. 

According to Nebraska Game and Parks, 97 percent of the land in Nebraska is privately owned. 

Webinar helps landowners with hunting rights

Cheyenne Rowe
Tuesday, November 22, 2022
According to Nebraska Game and Parks, 97 percent of the land in Nebraska is privately owned.  So what does that mean for hunting season and those who partake in it? This was the topic of the Nov. 3 webinar hosted by UNL’s Center for Agricultural Profitability.