Nebraska Extension Almanac Radio

Potting mixes are not created equal, and choosing the right one is crucial for container gardening success. Stacy Adams, a University of Nebraska – Lincoln Horticulture Professor of Practice says you’ll want to check the ingredients before buying that next bag of soil from the gardening store.

Neonatal calf diarrhea, or scours, is a common concern among cow-calf producers. Veterinarian and Nebraska Extension Beef Educator Lindsay Waechter-Mead says understanding why scours occurs is the first step in preventing the problem.

Future enrollment in the Conservation Reserve Program will largely depend on decisions made in the next farm bill, which will determine acreage limits and program incentives. Nebraska Extension Ag Policy Specialist Brad Lubben talks about some of the unanswered questions surrounding the CRP debate.

Recent wildfires in Nebraska have left many cattle operations facing urgent management decisions as they care for injured livestock. Nebraska Extension Veterinarian Becky Funk talks about how to assess and treat cattle with smoke inhalation or burns.

As farmers and ranchers begin recovery efforts following the devastating wildfires, much of the attention now shifts to the massive acres burnt and lack of pasture for cattle. University of Nebraska – Lincoln Rangeland Ecologist Dirac Twidwell talks about the timeline of range and pasture recovery.

Despite historically high cattle and beef prices, the U.S. consumer demand remains resilient even as prices climb. Oklahoma State Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist Derrell Peel says low cattle numbers and high demand will likely persist well into the second half of the decade, setting the stage for continued strength, and potentially even higher highs yet this year.

There are many tools available to help cattle producers improve reproduction management, but adoption remains relatively low, particularly among smaller operations. Kacie McCarthy, Nebraska Extension Cow-Calf Specialist says these tools can improve herd fertility, tighten calving seasons, and enhance genetic progress.

All insects serve a purpose in the ecosystem, but they can become pests when they invade our homes or gardens. Jody Green, Nebraska Extension Entomologist says what we consider pests may simply be insects that are out of place.

Tight cattle supplies, delayed herd rebuilding, and resilient beef demand point to continued market strength for 2026. Oklahoma State Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist Derrell Peel says there are strong indicators that the market will remain profitable with higher cattle prices still on the table for 2026.

Successful reproduction management is essential for any profitable cow-calf operation. According to Kacie McCarthy, a Nebraska Extension Cow-Calf Specialist producers can use several tools and management practices to improve reproductive rates and herd efficiency.

Bovine Congestive Heart Failure is the single most costly health-related problem in feedlots with losses surpassing hundreds of thousands of dollars annually in individual operations. Veterinary Brian Vander Ley an Epidemiologist and director of the Great Plains Veterinary Educational Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln talks about bovine congestive heart failure and what signs and sympto...

Blending generations on the farm can be both rewarding and challenging. Anastasia Meyer, an Associate Agricultural Economist with Nebraska Extension, says that while experience and tradition are invaluable, new research and technology are reshaping how farms operate, and that can create tension when younger family members return home with fresh ideas.

As cattle prices climb, determining what qualifies as a “good” price for a bull becomes more challenging. Randy Saner, a Livestock Systems Educator with Nebraska Extension, says producers need to balance cost control with long-term herd improvement to protect profitability and sustainability.

Farmers and ranchers rely on smart asset management to generate income while protecting and ideally growing their equity. According to Jay Parsons, a Farm and Ranch Management Specialist with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, understanding the difference between depreciable and non-depreciable assets is critical to long-term financial success for any operation.

Transportation of cattle is an essential component of the U.S. beef production system, but the stress caused with moving cattle is also associated with reduced feedlot performance and increased incidents of bovine respiratory diseases. Stephanie Hansen an Iowa State Feedlot Nutritionist says new research on strategic zinc supplementation is helping to fix this issue.

Body condition score, or the cow’s external fat layer, is a critical factor in a cow’s ability to handle cold stress. Nebraska Extension Beef Systems Specialist Mary Drewnoski says proactive management during the late winter months is essential to reduce cold stress in cattle.

Much of Nebraska is experiencing abnormally dry conditions, which means fires can start and spread more easily than usual. Ben Bohall from the Nebraska Forest service says landowners and rural residence should be aware of changing weather conditions and take precautions against grass and range fires this spring.

Farm transition planning is about more than paperwork, it's about families, communication, and the future of Nebraska agriculture. Nebraska Extension Ag Economist Jessica Groskopf talks about the importance of estate and transition plans.

Cattle are naturally adapted to cold weather, but their ability to stay warm depends on factors such as their winter coat, body condition score, nutrition, and their ability to staying dry. Nebraska Extension Beef Systems Specialist Mary Drewnoski says managing cows properly during winter is crucial to maintaining health and productivity.

Dry conditions and warmer temperatures are increasing the grass fire risk across Nebraska. Ben Bohall from the Nebraska Forest Service talks about the risk for grass and range fires, especially as low humidity and gusty winds persist throughout the state.

Most of the time, ranchers can handle the problems that come up during calving. In certain situations, a call to the vet is needed to get the birthing process done to avoid any problems. Veterinarian and Nebraska Extension Educator Lindsay Waecheter-Mead talks about when producers should call the vet for help.

The House Agriculture Committee released draft farm bill text late last week, and many agricultural industry groups have welcomed and applauded the language, but not all. Nebraska Extension Farm Policy Specialist Brad Lubben talks about difficulties that our elected officials are facing when it comes to enacting farm policy.

The key to any ag land lease agreement is flexibility. Nebraska Extension Ag Economist Jim Jansen says market volatility can wreak havoc on any lease agreements without arrangements that will equally benefit landowner and renter.

The 2018 Farm Bill expired in 2023, and Congress has since been unable to pass the omnibus legislation, which serves to both support U.S. farming and provide a safety net for the food insecure. Nebraska Extension Farm Policy Specialist Brad Lubben talks about why it can be extremely difficult to get a new farm policy bill passed.

Planning the future of your family operation will always be stressful and solutions will take careful planning, especially when there’s no next generation. Nebraska Extension Ag Economist Jessica Groskopf talks about strategies and resources to help navigate succession planning without a family heir.