Agriculture

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has begun issuing approximately $270 million in payments to contract producers of eligible livestock and poultry who applied for Pandemic Assistance.

Earlier this year, USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) identified gaps in assistance including in the initial proposal to assist contract growers.

In August, USDA released the improved program for contract producers to fill these gaps, providing support as part of USDA’s broader Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative.

“We listened to feedback from producers and stakeholders about impacts across livestock and poultry operations and made updates to be more equitable in the assistance we delivered,” FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux said.

Hello, Alexa here! Have you ever wondered what breeds of sheep are at the ARS USDA U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (USMARC)? We have several, but today I’d like to introduce you to one of the most unique breeds in the world! The Romanov breed, a Russian breed, that has unique characteristics in the sheep industry.

Romanov lambs are born with a black hair coat with white wool growing in as the sheep age. When mature, the breed is a mottled gray, white and black due to the black undercoat with a predominantly black head. Romanov sheep are a medium-framed breed with ewes averaging about 100-150 pounds and the rams 150-180 pounds.

The ewes are excellent mothers that produce high volumes of milk for their lambs. But this is where they are VERY unique and of great interest to the sheep industry; Romanov ewes are highly fertile, almost always give birth to three or more lambs when mature.

BEST RECORD BOOK WINNERS, 8-9 YR OLDS: Katelyn Griess, Purple; Nathan Brhel, Red; Brayden Griess, Purple; Josie Ochsner, Blue; and Collin Batterman, Purple.

TOP BOY & GIRL EXHIBITORS AT 2021 CLAY COUNTY FAIR: Nathan Brhel and Emily Brhel.

ANIMAL SCIENCE: Laurel Moore, Travis Moore, and Nathan Griess. Also pictured is their coach Fillmore County Extension 4-H Assistant Rachel Adam. NOT PICTURED: Aniston Jasnoch.

4-H VOLUNTEER LEADERS, FIVE YEARS: Rita Brhel, Jessica Moore, Chris Moore, and Craig Griess.

2021 LIVESTOCK AWARDS: Katelyn Griess, Grand Champion Market Swine; Rachel Brhel, Grand Champion Market Goat; and Emily Brhel, Meat Goat Carcass Contest. NOT PICTURED: Jason Brockman, Grand Champion Market Beef; Marshall Humphrey, Grand Champion Market Sheep; Isaiah Eickman, Sheep Carcass Contest; and Mia Ochsner, Swine Carcass Contest.

CLOVER KID RECOGNITION: Mason Menke

In the next year, the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to make its most important decision regarding abortion law and states’ rights in over a quarter-century. The Court’s ruling could overturn Roe v. Wade and give states more latitude in passing pro-life initiatives, including legislation limiting abortion in the early stages of pregnancy.

In 1973, the U.S. Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision deprived Nebraska and other states of the authority to prohibit abortions before a baby can viably live outside of his or her mother’s womb. Prior to Roe, many states banned or limited the killing of unborn babies. After the court’s decision, judges have applied the viability standard to abortion law, but with scientific and medical advances the point of viability has been changing as premature babies survive earlier and earlier.

As of Wednesday, June 23, there are only 14 days until the Clay County Fair, which kicks off Wednesday, July 7, at the fairgrounds in Clay Center.

The first 4-H event of the fair will begin at 11 a.m., with the rabbit show, followed by the poultry show at 2 p.m.

The 4-H bucket calf show starts at 5:30 p.m., followed by a first-time event at the fair—extreme bull riding, which begins at 7 p.m.

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SENIOR DAIRY GOAT: Reserve Champion Lathem Schumm, left, and Grand Champion Taivry Virus. WHITNEY WINTER | CLAY COUNTY NEWS

JUNIOR DAIRY GOAT: Reserve Champion Korbin Stump, left, and Grand Champion Taivry Virus.

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Having worked as a chef and traveling across the United States, the idea of having farm-to-table food has always intrigued Rebecca Plettner.

Eventually, this led her to start the Sutton Farmers’ Market, which is going two years strong. Plettner gets a lot of help from Shannon Stone, with Stone Quality Produce—one of the weekly vendors—who helps with the behind-the-scenes work.

The 2021 season is slated to begin Saturday, July 10, and every Saturday from there on until Sept. 25. The market, located at the city park pavilion, will run from 8 a.m.to noon.

Plettner said even with COVID, last year’s farmers’ market thrived because of the social aspect of shopping. She remembers people looking forward to the market because that was one of the times families had the chance to be social, all the while supporting local farmers and craftsmen.

Four Clay County Youth competed at the 4-H South Central Livestock Judging Contest on Thursday, June 3, in Bladen with 50 other youth from the area. The clinic and contest were conducted by UNL Livestock judging coaches. Youth placed classes on breeding and market swine, beef, sheep, and goats. 

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Teri Pollet grew up in Kansas and made a life as a pharmacy technician for 21 years until she found her way to Clay County to become the new extension office manager.

Despite not growing up around agriculture, she accepted the managerial position because “it’d be a good time to learn” about agriculture, Pollet said. Her family moved from Kansas to Nebraska in July 2018 after her husband, Mark, accepted a promotion within his job at Central Valley Ag.

Her oldest daughter, McKenna, just graduated high school this year, while her middle boy, Wyatt, will be entering seventh grade, and Blaze will be entering first grade when school starts in August.

Since the office manager position is focused on human resource management, Pollet said she will use the knowledge obtained from her bachelor’s degree she received in summer 2020.

Sandy Creek FFA’s new officers, in back from left: Jake Shuck, Sentinel; Josh Shaw, Vice President; Garrett Fisher, Parliamentarian; Hayden Shuck, Reporter; and Jacob Goldfuss, adviser. In front from left: Emily Watts, Secretary; Caitlyn Rempe, President; McKenzie Bohlen, Treasurer; and Aisley Schliep, Historian. MELISSA WHITEFOOT | CLAY COUNTY NEWS

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