Nebraska Extension Almanac Radio

Our state has some of the best soil on the planet. On today’s program, UNL Agronomy Professor Caro Cordova says testing your soil is the first step in the conservation and protection of our soils, and to do so on a regular basis.

Hay forage is a traditional source of food for cattle, but there have been recent reports of a plant that could be toxic to livestock. Extension Educator Ben Beckman says whorled milkweed won’t be touched by cattle, but it could be a serious problem if it has been incorporated with hay that you’ve already put up for the season.

During the past few episodes on Extension Almanac, we’ve covered how to identify termites and what to look for both outside and inside your home. Today, Extension Entomologist Jody Green talks about what to do if you suspect your home is being attacked by termites.

We are continuing our series on termites and their control, and on today’s Almanac, Extension Entomologist Jody Green turns our attention to signs of an infestation inside your home. She talks about scouting inside and looking for tell-tale signs of termites.

The University of Nebraska is conducting a study on cattle pregnancy detection and reproductive performance. Extension Cow-Calf Specialist Kacie McCarthy explains that this ongoing research will help producers make better management decisions during pregnancy to enhance cow performance.

Home canning effectively preserves seasonal produce while reducing food expenses. Extension Educator Cindy Brison emphasizes the importance of sanitation and safety throughout the canning process. She provides crucial safety guidelines and explains typical shelf life for home-canned foods.

Fall Armyworm, a significant turf-grass pest, has been reported in several areas of Nebraska. These insects can cause major damage to your lawn. Extension Entomologist Kait Chapman explains how to identify and prevent these pests from damaging your turf.

Scouting around your home for evidence of a termite infestation is essential for effective prevention and control. In part two of our focus on termites, Extension Entomologist Jody Green talks about certain conditions around the home that might attract or repel these destructive pests.

Termites can cause major damage to homes and buildings if left untreated. Today, we begin a 4 part series on identification and control of termites around the home. Nebraska Extension Urban Entomologist Jody Green begins the series by talking about how to properly identify termites.

Canning can be a safe and economical way to preserve this year’s garden produce. Nebraska Extension Educator Cindy Brison talks about home canning techniques and the equipment you’ll need to get started.

As strong cattle markets continue to trend upward, other areas of the industry point to good economic outcomes. Nebraska Extension Livestock Marketing and Risk Management Specialist Elliott Dennis says historically high calf and cull cow prices, an aging producer base, and a severely reduced national cowherd inventory has kept the markets strong.

A new corn pest is creeping into the Midwest, and Nebraska growers may soon have to contend with its arrival. Nebraska Extension Plant Diagnostician Kyle Broderick says corn leafhopper has been spotted in Southeast Nebraska and is an insect known to cause corn stunting.

Cattle prices continue to rise as consumers continue to have strong demand for beef, despite it increasing retail price. Nebraska Extension Livestock Marketing and Risk Management Specialist Elliott Dennis says beef has remained the number one protein choice for consumers.

It should come as no surprise that the Cornhusker state's most economically important crop is corn, but many producers have felt the pressure of increased corn diseases. Nebraska Extension Plant Pathologist Tamra Jackson-Ziems talks about some strategies to help farmers maximize their yield even though they’ve had some significant disease problems this year.

The ideal timing for fall herbicide applications on pastures and rangelands is late September through early November. Nebraska Extension Educators Ryan Benjamin and Ben Beckman say timing is everything for targeting stubborn perennial and biennial weeds.

Cattle producers that are set up to feed calves in a bunks may want to consider limit-feeding a high energy diets as a cost-effective option for growing calves this fall and winter. Nebraska Extension Educator Erin Laborie says while limit-feeding is not a new concept, current forage prices may make this an attractive alternative to feeding high roughage diets.

Correctly timing the last few irrigations of the season offers an excellent opportunity for many producers to save water and money. Bruno Lena, Nebraska Extension Water and Cropping System Assistant Educator says the main objective is to use stored soil water without affecting crop yields, while also creating room to store offseason precipitation.

As the growing season winds down and pastures go dormant, weed management might not be top of mind, but fall can be one of the most effective times to control some of our toughest rangeland invaders. Nebraska Extension Educators Ryan Benjamin and Ben Beckman talk about why fall weed control is so important for pastures and rangelands.

Making silage from late season hail damaged corn could be a great option for many producers. Nebraska Extension Beef Systems Specialist Mary Drewnoski talks about the advantages and risks of feeding hail damaged corn silage and earlage.

During the coming weeks it will be important to prepare your houseplants for the move back indoors. Nebraska Extension Associate Educator Scott Evans says there’s a few things to keep in mind before getting your plants back inside.

Record-high calf prices have left many cow-calf producers wondering how to reinvest profits in their operations. Nebraska Extension Livestock Systems Educator Brock Ortner and Farm and Ranch Management Analyst Glennis McClure say these markets offer an opportunity to improve long-term profitability, but also bring the temptation to spend pre-tax earnings on items that may not enhance operational e...

Late season soybean diseases often appear this time of year as yellow or dead leaves throughout the field. Nebraska Extension Plant Pathologist Dylan Mangel talks about common fall soybean diseases and what producers should be on the lookout for.

Strong cattle markets have been very favorable for many ranchers this year. Nebraska Extension Livestock Systems Educator Brock Ortner and Farm and Ranch Management Analyst Glennis McClure talk about the strong cattle market and how you can plan a head for the upcoming tax season.

When it comes to silage, producers often focus on yield and harvest timing—but one of the biggest losses can happen after the crop is already chopped and piled. Nebraska Extension Educator Ben Beckman says producers should understand the cost of spoiled silage and make plans to keep that under control.

The sight of flowers emerging from the soil is one of spring's greatest joys. These early blooms typically come from bulb ornamentals, and if you want to enjoy these early spring blossoms, you'll need to plan ahead. Nebraska Extension Landscape Horticulture Specialist Kim Todd emphasizes that timing is crucial for successful planting.