Ag-Life

By budgeting family living expenses into the cost of production, farm and ranch families can answer a fundamental question: Can the farm or ranch not only sustain itself but also support the family living on it?

By budgeting family living expenses into the cost of production, farm and ranch families can answer a fundamental question: Can the farm or ranch not only sustain itself but also support the family living on it?

Tips for budgeting family living into cost of production

News Staff
Wednesday, December 11, 2024
In farming or ranching, budgeting is more than just managing costs for seeds, feed, equipment, or labor. For farm and ranch families, the unique structure of finances often means family living expenses are often interwoven with the business.
As the cash poor winter months are coming on UNL’s Center for Agricultural Profitability is urging producers to use caution when using operating loans and lines of credit.

As the cash poor winter months are coming on UNL’s Center for Agricultural Profitability is urging producers to use caution when using operating loans and lines of credit.

CAP urges careful use of operating loans at year end

Ron Burtz
Wednesday, December 4, 2024
As 2024 draws to a close, many ag producers rely on operating loans, or lines of credit, to finance essential expenses when cash flow is tight.
Hamilton County corn grower Nate Goertzen (left) talks with members of a Mexican trade mission group that visited his farm in October. The members of the team are wearing boot covers to avoid the risk of transporting contaminants from one country to another.

Hamilton County corn grower Nate Goertzen (left) talks with members of a Mexican trade mission group that visited his farm in October. The members of the team are wearing boot covers to avoid the risk of transporting contaminants from one country to another.

Goertzen hosts trade mission group from Mexico

Ron Burtz
Tuesday, November 26, 2024
Corn grower Nate Goertzen recently had the opportunity for a cross-cultural experience with a group of non-English speaking Mexican corn buyers and never even had to leave his southeast Hamilton County farm.
A decision made last summer to allow the use of hemp seed meal as an additive to chicken feed could give a boost to the production of hemp as a rotational crop in Nebraska. That’s according to Andrew Bish of Giltner, who currently serves as president of the Hemp Feed Coalition.

A decision made last summer to allow the use of hemp seed meal as an additive to chicken feed could give a boost to the production of hemp as a rotational crop in Nebraska. That’s according to Andrew Bish of Giltner, who currently serves as president of the Hemp Feed Coalition.

Use as chicken feed called milestone for hemp production

Ron Burtz
Wednesday, November 20, 2024
A decision made last summer in Texas could have big implications for the production of hemp as a rotational crop in Nebraska.
This map of the Upper Big Blue Natural Resources District published in September shows that nitrate levels in Zones 5, 6 and 11 have risen to the Phase III, with more than 10 ppm of nitrates. The area stretches from a few miles east of Aurora to south and east of Seward. Nitrate levels higher than 10 ppm in drinking water are considered to be unsafe, especially for the very young and the elderly.

This map of the Upper Big Blue Natural Resources District published in September shows that nitrate levels in Zones 5, 6 and 11 have risen to the Phase III, with more than 10 ppm of nitrates. The area stretches from a few miles east of Aurora to south and east of Seward. Nitrate levels higher than 10 ppm in drinking water are considered to be unsafe, especially for the very young and the elderly.

NRD map shows rising nitrate levels in area drinking water

Ron Burtz
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
A groundwater quality map released in September by the Upper Big Blue Natural Resources District (NRD) shows a disturbing trend.
The UNL Center for Agricultural Profitability warns that farmers who have incorporated their businesses could face hefty fines and even imprisonment for failing to report their beneficial ownership information to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network.

The UNL Center for Agricultural Profitability warns that farmers who have incorporated their businesses could face hefty fines and even imprisonment for failing to report their beneficial ownership information to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network.

CTA poses ‘institutional risk’ for many farmers

News Staff
Wednesday, November 6, 2024
When considering the sources of risk in agriculture, many producers recognize institutional risk as a risk that is growing in impact and importance. Institutional risk pertains to people outside the business causing change that affects the business.
Grant and Laura Wilson’s vintage John Deere 6600 augers a hopperful of corn into a grain cart on the Vern Eastman farm east of Giltner last Wednesday.

Grant and Laura Wilson’s vintage John Deere 6600 augers a hopperful of corn into a grain cart on the Vern Eastman farm east of Giltner last Wednesday.

Giltner farmers help a neighbor with harvest

Ron Burtz
Wednesday, October 30, 2024
It seems about every year at about this time, somewhere across the land the same story is repeated. A farmer breaks his leg or becomes ill and faithful neighbors come out with their own equipment to bring his harvest in. It’s usually presented as just what country people do in times of need.
Student-raised, student-processed beef will be served in the UNK dining hall through the University Beef program. The beef is processed by students at UNL.

Student-raised, student-processed beef will be served in the UNK dining hall through the University Beef program. The beef is processed by students at UNL.

NU program takes farm-to-table to a new level

News Staff
Tuesday, October 22, 2024
From pasture to plate, a new University of Nebraska program gives students a true taste of the state’s No. 1 industry.
Sheila Miller carries lunch to her husband, Ray as he combines popcorn in a field south of Aurora last Wednesday. This past week’s dry conditions provided perfect conditions for continuing the 2024 harvest season at a fast pace.

Sheila Miller carries lunch to her husband, Ray as he combines popcorn in a field south of Aurora last Wednesday. This past week’s dry conditions provided perfect conditions for continuing the 2024 harvest season at a fast pace.

Hamilton County harvest nears the halfway point

Ron Burtz
Wednesday, October 16, 2024
With this past September being called the driest on record here (132 years) harvest started somewhat early in Hamilton County and the continued lack of rain has enabled farmers to churn through the soybean and corn fields at a rapid rate.
With a three-year, nearly $1 million grant from the National Science Foundation, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s James Schnable will help develop the first digital twin of a corn field, enabling researchers to quickly test countless what-if scenarios related to corn performance. (Craig Chandler/University Communication and Marketing)

With a three-year, nearly $1 million grant from the National Science Foundation, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s James Schnable will help develop the first digital twin of a corn field, enabling researchers to quickly test countless what-if scenarios related to corn performance. (Craig Chandler/University Communication and Marketing)

UNL to help create first ‘digital twin’ of corn field

News Staff
Wednesday, October 9, 2024
Digital twins are revolutionizing a range of industries, from manufacturing to health care to ride-hail services like Uber. Virtual replicas of supply chains, vehicle parts, traffic routes and beyond enable companies to rapidly innovate and adapt.