Agriculture

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack issued the following statement today on the Farm Income and Financial Forecasts for 2016, released by USDA’s Economic Research Service. “Today’s forecast continues to show that the health of the overall farm economy is strong in the face of challenging markets. After reaching record highs in 2012-2014, net farm income declined in 2015, and is forecast to decline in 2016, but the bigger picture shows that farm income over the last five-year period reflects the highest average five-year period on record. The comprehensive farm safety net provided by the 2014 Farm Bill will continue to help America’s farmers and ranchers respond to market conditions and provide financial stability for producers. Farm Bill program payments are forecast to increase over 19 percent to $12.9 billion in 2016, primarily through Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) payments. 

Cornerstone Bank and the Upper Big Blue Natural Resources District will be sponsoring the “13th Annual CROP-TIP Field Day” on December 14, 2016, from 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at the Holthus Convention Center (York). The public is invited to attend this free event. The following speakers are featured and will cover these topics: Keith Berns, Producer/ Researcher (Bladen, NE): “Cover Crops: What’s the Big Deal?” Michelle Rook, Farm Director-WNAX Radio (Yankton, SD): “Commodity Prices: Review 2016-Preview 2017.”

Lincoln, NE—Three Nebraskans were honored for their service and dedication to agriculture at the Nebraska Agribusiness Club’s 50th annual awards banquet November 3rd at Hillcrest Country Club in Lincoln. The 2016 honorees for Public Service to Agriculture are Dr. Jim Specht of Lincoln and Victor Bohuslavsky of Brainard. The club also recognized Jenny Rees of Clay Center as the New Horizon Award honoree.

A group of those that came out to help with the harvest bee gather for a lunch just north of Sutton during Tuesday’s event that took place near Sutton and Grafton.

By Jenny Rees

Grazing Corn Residue: With harvest completed or rapidly nearing completion, some may be interested in residue management. Grazing can remove corn kernels lost during the harvest process, reducing volunteer corn for the following year and reduces residue while benefiting cattle as livestock feed. However, many stalks in Nebraska are left ungrazed for various reasons. One reason I’ve heard is the potential impact of increased compaction and reduced yield of the next crop. Nebraska Extension has longterm research addressing this concern…in fact, 16 years of research conducted at the Ag Research and Development Center near Mead.

By Jenny Rees

Groups of kids and their parents covered the grounds at the Country Harvest Pumpkin near Glenvil Saturday, jumping on large bounce areas, into hay and sliding in corn, such as shown here. The pumpkin patch also offers pumpkin ice cream, a haunted maze and fun for all ages.