Agriculture

Deer hunters are reminded to locate their nearest in-person check stations prior to hunting during the nine-day firearm season this year.

All deer harvested during the Nov. 12-20 season must be accompanied by the hunter and taken to a check station no later than 1 p.m. on the day following the close of the season.

Check stations in the Clay County area include: in Clay Center, at the Ampride station, located at 404 N. Center. They can be checked in from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. during the season. In Fillmore County, the Fillmore County Sheriffs office, located at 900 G Street, the Fillmore County Courthouse is the check-in point. The OxBow Motel is a check-in point in Nelson, located at 422 N. Main Street in Nelson, while in Aurora, the check-in point is T & L’s Convenience Liquor, located at 213 S. 16th Street. In Hastings, deer can be checked in at the Ampride South store, located at 1410 West J Street.

Results of the Livestock Record Book Contest, from left: (back) Travis Moore, purple-beef and swine; Laurel Moore, purple-beef and swine, Nathan Griess, purple-beef and swine; Owen Smiley, purple-sheep, blue-meat goats; Rachel Brhel, purple-meat goats and poultry; (front) Katelyn Griess, purple-beef and swine; Collin Batterman, purple-beef and rabbits; Mason Menke, blue-beef and sheep; Brayden Griess, purple-beef and swine; Emily Brhel, purple-meat goats and poultry; Nathan Brhel, purple-meat goats and poultry. Not pictured: Breckyn Zoucha and Molly McCroden, Level 1 Horse Certificate; McKenzie Wagner, Level 2 Horse Certificate; Marshall Humphrey, Round Robin RITA BRHEL | CLAY COUNTY NEWS

With the school year starting, this means the busyness of afterschool activities and homework assignments will be here soon. As families are pulled in different directions for school, work, and practices, time as a family comes at a premium.

Making efforts to build the focus of your children could decrease time spent on homework to free up more time for family activities. Creating a permanent, designated study space is one way to build your youth’s focus.

Here are a few items to keep in mind when creating the study space:

MAKE IT WORK FOR YOU – Every child is different and has different needs. Some prefer a quiet corner in their room while others may prefer to be close to a parent for help at the kitchen table.

Just make sure that the traffic and noise of other family members do not become a distraction.

The Nebraska ethanol industry produced over 2.25 billion gallons in 2019, resulting in a value of production for ethanol and co-products of greater than $4.04 billion, according to a new University of Nebraska–Lincoln study estimating the industry’s impact in 2018 and 2019.

The overall economic impact of the Nebraska ethanol industry is over $4.5 billion.

Gallons produced and value of production in 2019 both increased over 2017, the year of the previous report, when the state produced over 2.07 billion gallons of ethanol, valued at $3.76 billion.

“Nebraska’s ethanol industry remains an important market in Nebraska, trailing only corn and cattle,” said Kate Brooks, associate professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics and a co-author of the study. “While the industry experienced weakened ethanol prices in 2018 and 2019, it has shown resilience through continued expansion in total capacity and diversification of co-products.”

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting offers for more than 3.1 million acres from agricultural producers and private landowners through this year’s Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Grassland Signup, the highest in history.

This program allows producers and landowners to continue grazing and haying practices while protecting grasslands and promoting plant and animal biodiversity and conservation, and it’s part of the Biden-Harris administration’s broader effort to address climate change and to conserve natural resources.

“This year’s record-breaking Grassland CRP signup demonstrates the continued success and value of investments in voluntary, producer-led, working lands conservation programs,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said. “Grassland CRP clearly demonstrates, time and time again, that conservation priorities and agricultural productivity not only have the capacity to coexist but also complement and enhance one another.

Come see what’s going on at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s South Central Agricultural Laboratory (SCAL) field trials on Thursday, Aug. 4. The field day includes topics focusing on improved crop production and profitability. The event is designed so guests can customize their day to select the tours they are most interested in. Topics and presenters include:

• Nutrient Management—Insights from long-term research trials and digital agriculture technologies in corn and winter wheat: Laila Puntel, Extension Soil Fertility and Precision Ag Specialist; Guillermo Balboa, Research Assistant Professor; Jose Cesario, graduate student; and Christian Uwineza, graduate student.

• Soil Health—Using cover crops, biochar, and other practices: Katja Koehler-Cole, Soil Health Management Extension Educator; Michael Kaiser, Asst. Professor in Applied Soil Chemistry; and Britt Fossum, Graduate Student.

Marshall Humphrey, above, won the annual Clay County Round Robin Contest, which was announced Saturday afternoon prior to the livestock auction. Left, Marshall receives a handshake from Colsen Cox, while at the right, Marshall shows a beef Friday afternoon during the contest. MELISSA WHITEFOOT | CLAY COUNTY NEWS ASHLEY D. SWANSON | CLAY COUNTY NEWS

ABOVE: Rachel Brhel and Garrett Parr look toward the judge while showing sheep during the Round Robin Contest Friday. LEFT: Colson Cox directs his hog around the pen. RIGHT: Aidenny Watson looks toward the judge, Brandon Sorensen, while showing a horse during the contest.

DAIRY CATTLE SHOW FULL RESULTS:

SENIOR SHOWMANSHIP: Josie Osinger, Clay County, champion; Katya Ornelas, Adams County, reserve champion, purple.

INTERMEDIATE SHOWMANSHIP: Amberleise Meyer, Clay County, champion, purple.

JUNIOR SHOWMANSHIP: Lovaeah Meyer, Clay County, champion, purple; Marta Ornelas, Adams County, reserve champion, purple; Liam Rhoades, Adams County, purple.

CLOVER KID SHOWMANSHIP: Remington Jensen, Adams County, participation ribbon; Arvis Rhoades, Adams County, participation ribbon

JUNIOR DAIRY CATTLE, UNDER 5 MO: Lovaeh Meyer, purple; Amberleise Meyer, purple; Marta Ornelas, purple; Liam Rhoades, purple.

CHAMPION JUNIOR DAIRY CALF: Lovaeh Meyer.

RESERVER CHAMPION JUNIOR DAIRY CALF: Marta Ornelas.

SENIOR DAIRY CATTLE, 1-2 YR NON-MILKING: Josie Osinger, purple.

SENIOR DAIRY CATTLE, OVER 2 YR MILKING: Katya Ornelas, purple.

As we approach this county fair season, it is important to remember how important it is to focus on the importance of the life skills being taught.

As adults, we need to be role models to youth and help them have a positive experience. It’s not the ribbon placing or the trophy that matters but rather the experience one has from participation in activities such as the county fair.

When I ask 4-H members the question, “What do you like most about 4-H?” they often respond with “the friendships!” 4-H’ers have the unique opportunity to meet and interact with youth from across the county, the state, and even the country.

4-H brings together youth with similar interests and you never forget the people you meet through the program.

DAIRY GOAT SHOW FULL RESULTS:

SENIOR SHOWMANSHIP: Taivry Virus, Thayer County, champion, purple; Veda Thies, Clay County, reserve champion, purple; Derrika Boyer, Nuckolls County, purple; Lathem Schumm, Clay County, purple.

INTERMEDIATE SHOWMANSHIP: Raeha Jensen, Clay County, champion, purple; Ayla Salistean, Seward County, reserve champion, purple; Ebayne Boyer, Sarpy County, purple; Kamrynn Branson, Jefferson County, purple; Ezra Kubicek, Lancaster County, purple; Waylon Seffron, Seward County, purple; Owen Smiley, Clay County, purple.

JUNIOR SHOWMANSHIP: Ainsley Meyer, Burt County, champion, purple; Bram Salistean, Seward County, reserve champion, purple; Abram Jensen, Clay County, purple; Mason Menke, Clay County, purple; Adalene Meyer, Burt County, purple.

CLOVER KID SHOWMANSHIP: Iliana Godina, Clay County, participation ribbon.