By Allison Peck | North Platte Post/Sandhills Post

Listen to the full interview with Caitlyn Jacobson and Leo Walz on our Kubota Podcast

A Logan County sixth grader is gaining hands-on farming experience through 4-H, using a wheat agronomy project to learn both the fieldwork and business side of agriculture.

Leo Walz, a fifth-year 4-H member, joined Nebraska Extension Educator Kaitlin Jacobson in the studio to talk about his project and what 4-H has meant to him so far.

Walz said joining 4-H felt natural, as it’s long been part of his family. “That’s where my mom and dad met,” he said. “So it kind of just came naturally. It’s a family thing.”

Over the years, Walz has explored a variety of projects. “My first two years, I showed cattle and then I did some shooting sports,” he said. “This last year, I did some baking projects and then this agronomy.”

When asked what he’s enjoyed most, Walz didn’t hesitate. “I liked showing cattle,” he said, adding that shooting sports has also been a favorite.

His current wheat agronomy project focuses on his family’s farm and a push toward more natural farming practices. “It involves our farm and everything we’re trying to do to get our farm back to not trying to use herbicides and chemicals,” Walz explained. “Kind of go in the natural route.”

That approach has come with challenges. “In today’s world, killing weeds is harder without chemicals,” Walz said. “So trying to keep the weeds down without chemicals is hard.”

Jacobson said projects like agronomy showcase 4-H’s “learn by doing” philosophy. “Agronomy is really just a prime example of the 4-H model,” she said. “4-Hers learn by doing.”

She explained that the project goes beyond fieldwork and includes detailed record-keeping. “He has a red binder with him, and that’s the record-keeping aspect,” Jacobson said. “You document all your expenses, what you make — all those things.”

Walz said much of that information came directly from his family’s farming operation. “Pretty much everything that my dad already has written down in the computers,” he said. “He was able to just give me that information right from his phone.”

Jacobson said that experience gives youth a realistic look at farming. “These are things that farmers have to do,” she said. “If a youth finds their spark in agriculture and wants to pursue being a farmer, this is great experience.”

Walz said the financial side of the project taught him a lot. “When we were doing the money aspect, like the breaking even stuff, I learned a lot about that,” he said.

Looking ahead, Walz plans to continue in 4-H. “This next year, I hope to do a couple more agronomy projects and some more wood and baking projects,” he said.

For youth thinking about joining 4-H, Walz offered simple advice: “Follow what you want to do and try your hardest.”

Jacobson said agronomy is just one of many project areas available. “The bottom line is you learn by doing,” she said. “It’s fun, and 4-Hers get life skills they can take with them into their adult life.”

4-H enrollment is currently open. Families can enroll online at v2.4honline.com, stop by the Nebraska Extension Office on West State Farm Road, or call 308-532-2683. Updates are also shared on the Lincoln Logan McPherson County 4-H Facebook page.

By Allison Peck | North Platte Post/Sandhills Post<div><iframe title="Learning by Doing: Logan County 4-Her Leo Walz on Agronomy & 4-H Experience" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:150px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=47aqh-19f6ba3-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Times%20New%20Roman&skin=f6f6f6&font-color=000000&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=1b1b1b" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>Listen to the full interview with Caitlyn Jacobson and Leo Walz on our Kubota PodcastA Logan County sixth grader is gaining hands-on farming experience through 4-H, using a wheat agronomy project to learn both the fieldwork and business side of agriculture.Leo Walz, a fifth-year 4-H member, joined Nebraska Extension Educator Kaitlin Jacobson in the studio to talk about his project and what 4-H has meant to him so far.Walz said joining 4-H felt natural, as it’s long been part of his family. “That’s where my mom and dad met,” he said. “So it kind of just came naturally. It’s a family thing.”Over the years, Walz has explored a variety of projects. “My first two years, I showed cattle and then I did some shooting sports,” he said. “This last year, I did some baking projects and then this agronomy.”When asked what he’s enjoyed most, Walz didn’t hesitate. “I liked showing cattle,” he said, adding that shooting sports has also been a favorite.His current wheat agronomy project focuses on his family’s farm and a push toward more natural farming practices. “It involves our farm and everything we’re trying to do to get our farm back to not trying to use herbicides and chemicals,” Walz explained. “Kind of go in the natural route.”That approach has come with challenges. “In today’s world, killing weeds is harder without chemicals,” Walz said. “So trying to keep the weeds down without chemicals is hard.”Jacobson said projects like agronomy showcase 4-H’s “learn by doing” philosophy. “Agronomy is really just a prime example of the 4-H model,” she said. “4-Hers learn by doing.”She explained that the project goes beyond fieldwork and includes detailed record-keeping. “He has a red binder with him, and that’s the record-keeping aspect,” Jacobson said. “You document all your expenses, what you make — all those things.”Walz said much of that information came directly from his family’s farming operation. “Pretty much everything that my dad already has written down in the computers,” he said. “He was able to just give me that information right from his phone.”Jacobson said that experience gives youth a realistic look at farming. “These are things that farmers have to do,” she said. “If a youth finds their spark in agriculture and wants to pursue being a farmer, this is great experience.”Walz said the financial side of the project taught him a lot. “When we were doing the money aspect, like the breaking even stuff, I learned a lot about that,” he said.Looking ahead, Walz plans to continue in 4-H. “This next year, I hope to do a couple more agronomy projects and some more wood and baking projects,” he said.For youth thinking about joining 4-H, Walz offered simple advice: “Follow what you want to do and try your hardest.”Jacobson said agronomy is just one of many project areas available. “The bottom line is you learn by doing,” she said. “It’s fun, and 4-Hers get life skills they can take with them into their adult life.”4-H enrollment is currently open. Families can enroll online at v2.4honline.com, stop by the Nebraska Extension Office on West State Farm Road, or call 308-532-2683. Updates are also shared on the Lincoln Logan McPherson County 4-H Facebook page.

🎙️Logan County 4-Her Gains Real-World Experience Through Agronomy Project

Fall rain and snow are good for wheat and next year’s crops, but it does have its drawbacks.&nbsp;&nbsp; One challenge is its impact on corn stalk feed quality.

While some parts of Nebraska have been dry&nbsp;this fall, other areas of the state have received some rain and consistent snow over the past several weeks.&nbsp; Rain reduces corn stalk quality several ways.&nbsp; Most easily noticed is&nbsp;how fast stalks can get soiled or trampled into the ground if the fields become muddy.

Less noticeable are nutritional changes.&nbsp; Rain or melting snow soaks into dry corn stalk residue and leaches out some of the soluble nutrients.&nbsp; Most serious is the loss of sugars and other energy-dense nutrients, which lowers the TDN or energy value of the stalks.&nbsp; These same nutrients also disappear if stalks begin to mold or rot in the field.&nbsp; Then palatability and intake also decline.

Another factor that affects cornstalk grazing is wind.&nbsp; Throughout the fall, there always seems to be those days where excessively high winds will easily blow corn leaves and husks off the field.&nbsp; This of course, can impact the amount of feed, and after grain, those leaves and husks contain the highest nutritional quality.

There is little you can do to prevent these losses.&nbsp; What you can do, though, is to closely monitor cow and field conditions while adjusting your supplementation program accordingly.&nbsp; Since weathering by rain reduces TDN more than it reduces protein, consider the energy value of your supplements as well as its protein content.

Weathered corn stalks still are economical feeds.&nbsp; Just supplement them accordingly.&nbsp;

By Jerry Volesky<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745851907586.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Fall rain and snow are good for wheat and next year’s crops, but it does have its drawbacks.&nbsp;&nbsp; One challenge is its impact on corn stalk feed quality.While some parts of Nebraska have been dry&nbsp;this fall, other areas of the state have received some rain and consistent snow over the past several weeks.&nbsp; Rain reduces corn stalk quality several ways.&nbsp; Most easily noticed is&nbsp;how fast stalks can get soiled or trampled into the ground if the fields become muddy.Less noticeable are nutritional changes.&nbsp; Rain or melting snow soaks into dry corn stalk residue and leaches out some of the soluble nutrients.&nbsp; Most serious is the loss of sugars and other energy-dense nutrients, which lowers the TDN or energy value of the stalks.&nbsp; These same nutrients also disappear if stalks begin to mold or rot in the field.&nbsp; Then palatability and intake also decline.Another factor that affects cornstalk grazing is wind.&nbsp; Throughout the fall, there always seems to be those days where excessively high winds will easily blow corn leaves and husks off the field.&nbsp; This of course, can impact the amount of feed, and after grain, those leaves and husks contain the highest nutritional quality.There is little you can do to prevent these losses.&nbsp; What you can do, though, is to closely monitor cow and field conditions while adjusting your supplementation program accordingly.&nbsp; Since weathering by rain reduces TDN more than it reduces protein, consider the energy value of your supplements as well as its protein content.Weathered corn stalks still are economical feeds.&nbsp; Just supplement them accordingly.&nbsp;

Forage Minute: Corn Stalk Quality After Weathering

It’s that time of year again. Time when we need to start preparing for taxes. Most people probably know that farmers and ranchers’ last day to file taxes is March 1st, so it’s important to make sure we have everything together.

For example, if you paid an individual a total of $600 or more for rent, services, or interest as part of your agricultural business you may be required to report the payments with form 1099 (starting 2026 this number will increase to $2,000). So now is a good time to start going through everything and making sure it is in order and noting receipts that are tax deductible like fertilizer, seed, and fuel to name a few.

Throughout the year producers receive money, property, and services from many places. Your records can help you identify the source of receipts, and this information is important to help separate farm and nonfarm receipts and taxable from nontaxable incomes. For example, buying fuel for a vehicle that is used to check pasture is tax deductible, as well as things like fencing materials, net wrap, and repairs to equipment to name a few.

Preparing now can help speed up the tax preparation process. All this information is used to help prepare tax returns and just as important can help producers monitor the progress of the operation. Records can show if the business is improving and can help us identify potential changes to make.

For additional information on record keeping and taxes you can visit&nbsp;<a href="http://cap.unl.edu/" target="_blank">cap.unl.edu</a>&nbsp;OR the IRS publication 225 (2024) ‘Farmer’s Tax Guide,’ at:&nbsp;<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.irs.gov/publications/p225__;!!PvXuogZ4sRB2p-tU!Hwp1pZExD0hajDYLf_228imnzxR0p5IcCN2uUY6l2LP3RDQCbX2rm0l8CX-I7_efI6cOebghQWz9mqIEQwQUfGyN6lcbssCpQCNjTvw$" target="_blank">https://www.irs.gov/publications/p225</a>&nbsp;

By Shannon Sand<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745851907586.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>It’s that time of year again. Time when we need to start preparing for taxes. Most people probably know that farmers and ranchers’ last day to file taxes is March 1st, so it’s important to make sure we have everything together.For example, if you paid an individual a total of $600 or more for rent, services, or interest as part of your agricultural business you may be required to report the payments with form 1099 (starting 2026 this number will increase to $2,000). So now is a good time to start going through everything and making sure it is in order and noting receipts that are tax deductible like fertilizer, seed, and fuel to name a few.Throughout the year producers receive money, property, and services from many places. Your records can help you identify the source of receipts, and this information is important to help separate farm and nonfarm receipts and taxable from nontaxable incomes. For example, buying fuel for a vehicle that is used to check pasture is tax deductible, as well as things like fencing materials, net wrap, and repairs to equipment to name a few.Preparing now can help speed up the tax preparation process. All this information is used to help prepare tax returns and just as important can help producers monitor the progress of the operation. Records can show if the business is improving and can help us identify potential changes to make.For additional information on record keeping and taxes you can visit&nbsp;<a href="http://cap.unl.edu/" target="_blank">cap.unl.edu</a>&nbsp;OR the IRS publication 225 (2024) ‘Farmer’s Tax Guide,’ at:&nbsp;<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.irs.gov/publications/p225__;!!PvXuogZ4sRB2p-tU!Hwp1pZExD0hajDYLf_228imnzxR0p5IcCN2uUY6l2LP3RDQCbX2rm0l8CX-I7_efI6cOebghQWz9mqIEQwQUfGyN6lcbssCpQCNjTvw$" target="_blank">https://www.irs.gov/publications/p225</a>&nbsp;

Forage Minute: Record Keeping for Taxes

Hay is expensive and many long hours go into harvesting, storing, and feeding it.&nbsp; Don’t waste up to a third of it by using poor feeding practices.

Believe it or not, cattle can trample, over consume, manure on, and use for bedding up to 25 to 45 percent of your hay when it is fed with no restrictions.&nbsp; Extra control in feeding can pay off big time with that expensive hay.

For starters, don’t provide more than one day’s supply at a time.&nbsp; Research has shown that when cows are fed a four-day supply, they will overeat and waste 20 to 30 percent more hay than when they are fed one day at a time.&nbsp; This adds up to $50 to $75 more per cow over a four-month feeding period.&nbsp; Best of all is to feed only what the livestock will clean up in one meal, so nothing is left over to be wasted.&nbsp; Be sure to provide sufficient space, though, for all animals to eat at once so boss cows don’t stop timid cows from getting their fair share.

Another thing you can do is restrict access to hay.&nbsp; Use bale racks or rings to keep animals off the hay.&nbsp; Especially useful are racks with barriers around the bottom that prevent livestock from pulling hay loose with their feet and dragging it out to be stepped on. If you unroll bales or grind and feed on the ground, position an electric fence alongside or above the hay to keep cows from trampling or bedding down on the hay.

As always, feed a balanced ration that provides sufficient energy and protein, but not too much.&nbsp; Animals that eat more protein than they need will simply excrete it as extra nitrogen in their urine.&nbsp; This is just as wasteful as directly trampling it into the ground.&nbsp;

By Ben Beckman<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745851907586.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Hay is expensive and many long hours go into harvesting, storing, and feeding it.&nbsp; Don’t waste up to a third of it by using poor feeding practices.Believe it or not, cattle can trample, over consume, manure on, and use for bedding up to 25 to 45 percent of your hay when it is fed with no restrictions.&nbsp; Extra control in feeding can pay off big time with that expensive hay.For starters, don’t provide more than one day’s supply at a time.&nbsp; Research has shown that when cows are fed a four-day supply, they will overeat and waste 20 to 30 percent more hay than when they are fed one day at a time.&nbsp; This adds up to $50 to $75 more per cow over a four-month feeding period.&nbsp; Best of all is to feed only what the livestock will clean up in one meal, so nothing is left over to be wasted.&nbsp; Be sure to provide sufficient space, though, for all animals to eat at once so boss cows don’t stop timid cows from getting their fair share.Another thing you can do is restrict access to hay.&nbsp; Use bale racks or rings to keep animals off the hay.&nbsp; Especially useful are racks with barriers around the bottom that prevent livestock from pulling hay loose with their feet and dragging it out to be stepped on. If you unroll bales or grind and feed on the ground, position an electric fence alongside or above the hay to keep cows from trampling or bedding down on the hay.As always, feed a balanced ration that provides sufficient energy and protein, but not too much.&nbsp; Animals that eat more protein than they need will simply excrete it as extra nitrogen in their urine.&nbsp; This is just as wasteful as directly trampling it into the ground.&nbsp;

Forage Minute Reducing Hay Feeding Losses

To lighten the workload when feeding hay, we often take short cuts and leave some twine or net wrap on the bales.&nbsp; And whether we want them to or not, animals eat some of that twine.

There is the potential for twine to accumulate in the rumen of cattle and cause obstruction.&nbsp; Research at North Dakota State University has confirmed this risk and provided further information on what happens to twine when cattle eat it.

In a series of experiments, the North Dakota research first showed that neither plastic net wrap nor biodegradable twine get digested by rumen microbes.&nbsp; The old-fashioned sisal twine, however, does get digested, although quite a bit more slowly than hay.

In another study net wrap was included in the ration fed to steers for an extended period of time.&nbsp; Then, 14 days before the steers were harvested, the net wrap was removed from the feed to learn if the net wrap eaten earlier might get cleared out of the rumen and digestive system.&nbsp; Turns out it was still in the rumen even after 14 days.

So, what should you do?&nbsp; First, remember that it doesn’t appear to be a health concern very often.&nbsp; And cows obviously are more at risk than feedlot animals.&nbsp; So, it might be wise to remove as much twine, especially plastic twine, as can be removed easily from bales before feeding.&nbsp; Twine in ground hay may be less of a problem since more of it is likely to pass completely through the animal.

Think about how shortcuts and work-reducing actions you take this winter might affect your animals.&nbsp; Then act accordingly.&nbsp;

By Jerry Volesky<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745851907586.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>To lighten the workload when feeding hay, we often take short cuts and leave some twine or net wrap on the bales.&nbsp; And whether we want them to or not, animals eat some of that twine.There is the potential for twine to accumulate in the rumen of cattle and cause obstruction.&nbsp; Research at North Dakota State University has confirmed this risk and provided further information on what happens to twine when cattle eat it.In a series of experiments, the North Dakota research first showed that neither plastic net wrap nor biodegradable twine get digested by rumen microbes.&nbsp; The old-fashioned sisal twine, however, does get digested, although quite a bit more slowly than hay.In another study net wrap was included in the ration fed to steers for an extended period of time.&nbsp; Then, 14 days before the steers were harvested, the net wrap was removed from the feed to learn if the net wrap eaten earlier might get cleared out of the rumen and digestive system.&nbsp; Turns out it was still in the rumen even after 14 days.So, what should you do?&nbsp; First, remember that it doesn’t appear to be a health concern very often.&nbsp; And cows obviously are more at risk than feedlot animals.&nbsp; So, it might be wise to remove as much twine, especially plastic twine, as can be removed easily from bales before feeding.&nbsp; Twine in ground hay may be less of a problem since more of it is likely to pass completely through the animal.Think about how shortcuts and work-reducing actions you take this winter might affect your animals.&nbsp; Then act accordingly.&nbsp;

Forage Minute: Remove Net Wrap and Twine

By Jeff Beach | States Newsroom - Nebraska Examiner

Some North Dakota farmers are owed money after a large bankruptcy filing by a Nebraska-based grain dealer.&nbsp;

The North Dakota Department of Agriculture says farmers in the state are owed more than $900,000 by the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hansenmueller.com/" target="_blank">Hansen-Mueller Co</a>.&nbsp;

The bankruptcy affects creditors in multiple states, including South Dakota and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mda.state.mn.us/mda-advises-farmers-ties-hansen-mueller-co-file-claims" target="_blank">Minnesota</a>. Creditors also include a trucking company in North Dakota.

David Barrett is a Bismarck ag law attorney with clients that include some of the North Dakota farmers who will be filing claims.&nbsp;

He has clients in other states, too, and has already filed a $1.2 million claim for a grain elevator in Mississippi.

“There’s creditors everywhere,” Barrett said, with more filings to come.&nbsp;

Hansen-Mueller leases a grain storage facility in Grand Forks and has a roving grain buyers license in the state. As part of being licensed in the state, it also would have to secure a bond to help ensure it can pay for grain it has purchased.&nbsp;

However, the company filed for bankruptcy Nov. 17, before the Department of Agriculture could begin insolvency proceedings. Those proceedings could have allowed the state to access the company’s bond to help repay farmers.

Shaun Quissell, director of the Grain and Livestock Division for the state Ag Department, said Hansen-Mueller was bonded for about $778,000 — less than what is owed.&nbsp;

The state also has a credit sales indemnity fund, which helps protect farmers from fraudulent buyers.&nbsp;

Quissell also said the grain purchase agreements between Hansen-Mueller and the farmers were not credit sales contracts and would not have been covered by that fund.&nbsp;

Because the company declared bankruptcy, the bond money could become part of the bankruptcy proceeding, Quissell said.&nbsp;

Most of the North Dakota transactions involved oats, Quissell said. He did not have information on how many growers were affected.&nbsp;

Barrett said the farmers he’s aware of being owed money are in the Red River Valley.&nbsp;

In a news release, state Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring encouraged farmers affected by the Hansen-Mueller bankruptcy to file claims with the bankruptcy court.&nbsp;

“Every producer who is owed money by Hansen-Mueller should be receiving notification from the bankruptcy court that they are a claimant and need to file a claim,” Goehring said. “We understand the producer’s frustration and are here to provide clear information to help those affected.”

Bankruptcy information can be found at&nbsp;<a href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fgcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com%2F%3Fdata=05%257C02%257Cmmielke%2540nd.gov%257C6572e8f468114bb96cab08de31156bd6%257C2dea0464da514a88bae2b3db94bc0c54%257C0%257C0%257C639002165240493021%257CUnknown%257CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%253D%253D%257C0%257C%257C%257C%26reserved=0%26sdata=HCty9%252B1XOcdoq8jMoe1xCXIyMO9wascxfRiXXmPezas%253D%26url=https%253A%252F%252Fdm.epiq11.com%252Fcase%252Fhansenmueller%252Finfo%253Futm_medium%253Demail%2526utm_source%253Dgovdelivery%26utm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/0101019ae01d8821-6ac23b1d-b3e1-4f93-bca4-347b61ede84f-000000/ebaapWR5aXWVTFqIjTPXaueVLHTw-46roz2yvd8_IFA=434" target="_blank">https://dm.epiq11.com/case/hansenmueller/info</a>&nbsp;or by calling 877-717-1702.&nbsp;&nbsp;

In a news release&nbsp;<a href="https://psc.nebraska.gov/sites/default/files/doc/Hansen-Mueller%20Co.%20Press%20Release%20-%2011.17.2025.pdf" target="_blank">announcing the bankruptcy</a>, Hansen-Mueller said it hoped to find a buyer to continue operations.&nbsp;

Hansen-Mueller operates nine grain elevators, including five across the Midwest along Interstate 29. Its Minnesota operations include a facility at the Duluth port on Lake Superior.

Reach North Dakota Monitor Deputy Editor Jeff Beach at&nbsp;jbeach@northdakotamonitor.com.

This story was originally produced by&nbsp;<a href="https://northdakotamonitor.com/2025/12/08/grain-dealer-bankruptcy-hits-north-dakota-farmers/" target="_blank">North Dakota Monitor</a>, which is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network which includes Nebraska Examiner, and is supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity.

By Jeff Beach | States Newsroom - Nebraska Examiner<figure>
 <img src="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Hansen-Mueller-GF1-1024x578-1.jpg" alt="&nbsp;A truck prepares to leave the Hansen-Mueller storage facility in Grand Forks, North Dakota, on Dec. 5, 2025. Hansen-Mueller has field for bankruptcy with some North Dakota farmers still owed money. (Photo by Jeff Beach/North Dakota Monitor)" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;A truck prepares to leave the Hansen-Mueller storage facility in Grand Forks, North Dakota, on Dec. 5, 2025. Hansen-Mueller has field for bankruptcy with some North Dakota farmers still owed money. (Photo by Jeff Beach/North Dakota Monitor)</figcaption>
 </figure>Some North Dakota farmers are owed money after a large bankruptcy filing by a Nebraska-based grain dealer.&nbsp;The North Dakota Department of Agriculture says farmers in the state are owed more than $900,000 by the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hansenmueller.com/" target="_blank">Hansen-Mueller Co</a>.&nbsp;The bankruptcy affects creditors in multiple states, including South Dakota and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mda.state.mn.us/mda-advises-farmers-ties-hansen-mueller-co-file-claims" target="_blank">Minnesota</a>. Creditors also include a trucking company in North Dakota.David Barrett is a Bismarck ag law attorney with clients that include some of the North Dakota farmers who will be filing claims.&nbsp;He has clients in other states, too, and has already filed a $1.2 million claim for a grain elevator in Mississippi.“There’s creditors everywhere,” Barrett said, with more filings to come.&nbsp;Hansen-Mueller leases a grain storage facility in Grand Forks and has a roving grain buyers license in the state. As part of being licensed in the state, it also would have to secure a bond to help ensure it can pay for grain it has purchased.&nbsp;However, the company filed for bankruptcy Nov. 17, before the Department of Agriculture could begin insolvency proceedings. Those proceedings could have allowed the state to access the company’s bond to help repay farmers.Shaun Quissell, director of the Grain and Livestock Division for the state Ag Department, said Hansen-Mueller was bonded for about $778,000 — less than what is owed.&nbsp;The state also has a credit sales indemnity fund, which helps protect farmers from fraudulent buyers.&nbsp;Quissell also said the grain purchase agreements between Hansen-Mueller and the farmers were not credit sales contracts and would not have been covered by that fund.&nbsp;Because the company declared bankruptcy, the bond money could become part of the bankruptcy proceeding, Quissell said.&nbsp;Most of the North Dakota transactions involved oats, Quissell said. He did not have information on how many growers were affected.&nbsp;Barrett said the farmers he’s aware of being owed money are in the Red River Valley.&nbsp;In a news release, state Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring encouraged farmers affected by the Hansen-Mueller bankruptcy to file claims with the bankruptcy court.&nbsp;“Every producer who is owed money by Hansen-Mueller should be receiving notification from the bankruptcy court that they are a claimant and need to file a claim,” Goehring said. “We understand the producer’s frustration and are here to provide clear information to help those affected.”Bankruptcy information can be found at&nbsp;<a href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fgcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com%2F%3Fdata=05%257C02%257Cmmielke%2540nd.gov%257C6572e8f468114bb96cab08de31156bd6%257C2dea0464da514a88bae2b3db94bc0c54%257C0%257C0%257C639002165240493021%257CUnknown%257CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%253D%253D%257C0%257C%257C%257C%26reserved=0%26sdata=HCty9%252B1XOcdoq8jMoe1xCXIyMO9wascxfRiXXmPezas%253D%26url=https%253A%252F%252Fdm.epiq11.com%252Fcase%252Fhansenmueller%252Finfo%253Futm_medium%253Demail%2526utm_source%253Dgovdelivery%26utm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/0101019ae01d8821-6ac23b1d-b3e1-4f93-bca4-347b61ede84f-000000/ebaapWR5aXWVTFqIjTPXaueVLHTw-46roz2yvd8_IFA=434" target="_blank">https://dm.epiq11.com/case/hansenmueller/info</a>&nbsp;or by calling 877-717-1702.&nbsp;&nbsp;In a news release&nbsp;<a href="https://psc.nebraska.gov/sites/default/files/doc/Hansen-Mueller%20Co.%20Press%20Release%20-%2011.17.2025.pdf" target="_blank">announcing the bankruptcy</a>, Hansen-Mueller said it hoped to find a buyer to continue operations.&nbsp;Hansen-Mueller operates nine grain elevators, including five across the Midwest along Interstate 29. Its Minnesota operations include a facility at the Duluth port on Lake Superior.Reach North Dakota Monitor Deputy Editor Jeff Beach at&nbsp;jbeach@northdakotamonitor.com.This story was originally produced by&nbsp;<a href="https://northdakotamonitor.com/2025/12/08/grain-dealer-bankruptcy-hits-north-dakota-farmers/" target="_blank">North Dakota Monitor</a>, which is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network which includes Nebraska Examiner, and is supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity.

Nebraska grain-dealer bankruptcy hits North Dakota farmers

Estefanía Pinto Ruiz | States Newsroom-Nebraska Examiner

As farmers face historic headwinds and market hardships, calls to the national Farm Aid hotline and the Iowa Concern hotline — where farmers can get support in times of mental health crisis or need — are increasing.

This fall, the Iowa Concern hotline saw four to five times the number of calls it had in the same months last year, said Tammy Jacobs, the hotline’s manager.

The Farm Aid hotline is also seeing a change in the urgency of calls.

“We’re seeing more established farmers calling in — people who know how to play the game and how to access programs. They’re calling more often now, because even with all that institutional knowledge, they’re still running into issues for the first time that are more complex and difficult to solve,” said Lori Mercer, a Farm Aid hotline operator. “The system that’s in place is simply letting them down. There’s just no further safety net.”&nbsp;

<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37449301/" target="_blank">Research shows farmers die by suicide at least twice as often as people in the general population</a>, so there’s urgency to address the uptick in need.&nbsp;

“It’s a huge issue. I mean, we’ve known at least three families this year whose loved ones died by suicide,” said Emma Yerkey, who’s part of the Ag Chapter of Gray Matters, a monthly meetup for ag producers around the Quad-Cities to talk about their struggles.

Farmers experience a lot of stressors and uncertainty that they can’t control — isolation, weather changes, and financial pressures — along with low access to mental health care in rural areas and stigma that may make them keep their pain to themselves. Market conditions made worse by a trade war and inflation are adding to the stress. Mental health professionals are thinking outside the box to get producers care.&nbsp;

Yerkey’s family farms corn, soybeans, and hay in Geneseo, Illinois, on land they’ve owned since the Civil War. The farm is filled with memories, especially of her dad, Tim Yerkey.&nbsp;

She played baseball with him in their driveway, the family ate meals together in the home, and, one year, her father helped her raise a ribbon-winning calf.&nbsp;

“That was a really good memory that I have with him,” Yerkey said.

But the farm could be stressful, too. Tim Yerkey worked the land with his family, but at times had to take outside jobs to make ends meet. In 2011, he’d been struggling for about a year when spring floods left fields underwater. He’d reached out to friends and visited the emergency room seeking help, only to be told there were no beds, Yerkey said. He died by suicide in June 2011.&nbsp;

“I miss my dad, and I don’t want anybody else — or any other family — to go through that,” Yerkey said.

But many farming families experience similar pain. Between 2003 and 2017, more than 1600 farmers died by suicide, the majority older white men.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Experts say factors that contribute to stress and higher suicide rates among farmers include isolation, easy access to guns, a cultural expectation of toughness, stigma around seeking mental health care, worries about who will take over the farm, and a lack of recognition for their hard work.

Financial losses and stress are also significant risks for depressive symptoms. And right now, times are tough for farmers.&nbsp;

Producers have endured high inflation and growing input costs on farms since at least 2020. The spread of COVID and, more recently, policy decisions like President Donald Trump’s tariffs and increases in immigration enforcement have all increased operating costs. At the same time, prices for major commodities are low — lower than the cost to grow them. Corn prices are about $0.85 below the break even point and soybeans are about $2 below.&nbsp;

This year, many states are expecting a record corn crop, but farmers aren’t celebrating.

“It’s very discouraging for farmers to think that they’ve done all the things right in their fields and have put innovations in place and made good decisions, but yet, even with strong yields, they’re gonna be facing a loss on what they’re producing,” said Aaron Lehman, president of the Iowa Farmers Union.

In 2024, the U.S. exported about 42% of its soybeans, most of it to China. With China not buying in the midst of the trade war, some farmers who usually send their crop abroad have struggled to find new markets. The U.S. in November struck a new deal with China, potentially extending a lifeline to producers still scrambling to move their harvest, but it remains to be seen what China will actually buy.

Some programs that helped connect farmers to domestic markets, like the Local Food Purchase Assistance initiative, have also been cut by the USDA.&nbsp;

“Since the beginning of the year, the farmers have just been thrown into a different level of uncertainty with policy things like losing access to some markets through tariffs, losing access to staff and programming with the government shutdown, and the funding freezes. A big one we’re hearing about is losing access to labor with the ICE raids, etcetera,” said Mercer, with Farm Aid. “I was just speaking to a farmer the other day who was basically watching his crops rot on the vines because his usual labor support was just too afraid to show up this year.”&nbsp;

In addition to all of the financial stress, farmers say they feel the work can be thankless.&nbsp;

“This work is incredibly hard, and nobody understands where their food comes from. Nobody knows that [farmers] work 20 hours a day so that they can have a strawberry,” said Anna Scheyett, a retired professor of social work who studied farmer stress and suicide at the University of Georgia.

Despite the many struggles, some families are finding hope and community in turbulent times. To honor her dad, Yerkey joined the new Ag Chapter of Gray Matters, a Quad-Cities nonprofit that provides mental health resources, education, and safe spaces.

Gray Matters hosts monthly Barn Talks, where participants can share what’s weighing on them, whether it’s stress, depression, anxiety, or other struggles, and receive support from others. The organizers hope to build a sense of community and normalize talking about mental health.&nbsp;

“Feeling comfortable and safe to say that — ‘Hey, I am stressed out, or I am really hurting right now. Maybe I am depressed, maybe I have some anxiety,’ — whatever it might be,” said Heather Gritton, one of the group leaders.

Offering spaces where farmers can meet and take some of that load off their shoulders can help break down the stigma around getting help, said Sara Kohlbeck, assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin.&nbsp;

It’s key for those spaces to be easily accessible to farmers.&nbsp;

“Bringing that support to the farmers — or to the rural communities — rather than expecting those folks to come and get those resources for themselves is really important,” Kohlbeck said. “Otherwise, you know, we’ve got folks that are kind of suffering in silence because they just don’t have the time. Sometimes there’s stigma, and there’s kind of that pride issue.”&nbsp;

There are also practical barriers. Telehealth isn’t a viable option for many farmers, as cell and internet reception in rural areas are limited. Driving long distances to see a counselor can also be impractical, especially during the busy harvest season.&nbsp;

Another approach to reaching farmers has been to train people who farmers trust and regularly interact with — such as suppliers, lenders, large animal veterinarians, and spouses — to recognize when someone may be dealing with mental health challenges and teach them how to support them and direct them to resources.&nbsp;

For example, Scheyett has trained agricultural lenders to recognize warning signs of suicide ideation and taught them how to respond. She’s also trained extension agents to take a few minutes at the beginning of agricultural production meetings to talk about stress and offer resources, something she says can make a real difference for farmers.

In one&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nacaa.com/file.ashx?id=84add242-bc81-45b1-b2b6-6fc8444e4ee1" target="_blank">study</a>, Scheyett and her co-authors found that farmers who were present at meetings where about 10 minutes were dedicated to talking about stress management walked away with new ideas for managing stress and a higher level of commitment to doing it.&nbsp;

Sometimes, offering practical and logistical solutions to big problems can be a part of mental health services, too.&nbsp;

“If a farmer has not really looked and done a deep dive into their farm financial system, we have a program that’s called&nbsp;<a href="https://www.extension.iastate.edu/farmanalysis/" target="_blank">farm financial associates</a>, and they’ll come out to the farm, do a big evaluation over the farming operation to see where the hard points are and is there a way to switch things around, diversify, in order to help offset some of the farming losses and costs,” Jacobs, with the Iowa Concern hotline, said.

Farmers can reach out to the&nbsp;<a href="https://988lifeline.org/" target="_blank">988 Lifeline</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.farmaid.org/our-work/resources-for-farmers/" target="_blank">1-800-FARM-AID</a>&nbsp;for help. Help is also available in Spanish.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.extension.iastate.edu/humansciences/iowa-concern" target="_blank">Iowa Concern hotline</a>&nbsp;is available 24/7 via chat, email, call, or text at 800-447-1985.

For farmers facing grain storage challenges, Jacobs suggested partnering with other farmers as an alternative to traditional co-op arrangements.

Scheyett suggests everybody can help by thanking farmers the same way we do with the military.

“Every time I see a farmer, I say thank you — thank you for your service, because what you do keeps us healthy, fed, and clothed,” Scheyett said.

It’s all in the hopes of providing care and saving lives.

“Even if you can save one life, I mean, that’s so worth it,” Yerkey said. “I feel very passionate about it.”&nbsp;

This story is a product of the<a href="http://www.agwaterdesk.org/" target="_blank">&nbsp;Mississippi River Basin Ag &amp; Water Desk</a>, an independent reporting network based at the<a href="https://journalism.missouri.edu/2023/07/mississippi-river-basin-ag-water-desk-expands-coverage-of-local-environment-and-agriculture-news-with-new-grant/" target="_blank">&nbsp;University of Missouri</a>&nbsp;in partnership with<a href="http://www.reportforamerica.org/" target="_blank">&nbsp;Report for America</a>, with major funding from the Walton Family Foundation.

This story was originally produced by&nbsp;<a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2025/12/07/as-farmers-face-trade-wars-and-inflation-calls-to-mental-health-hotlines-rise/" target="_blank">Iowa Capital Dispatch</a>, which is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network which includes Nebraska Examiner, and is supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity.

Estefanía Pinto Ruiz | States Newsroom-Nebraska Examiner<figure>
 <img src="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/with-calf-1024x678-1.jpg" alt="&nbsp;Emma Yerkey and her dad, Tim Yerkey, with the ribbon-winning calf they raised together. (Photo courtesy of Emma Yerkey)" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Emma Yerkey and her dad, Tim Yerkey, with the ribbon-winning calf they raised together. (Photo courtesy of Emma Yerkey)</figcaption>
 </figure>As farmers face historic headwinds and market hardships, calls to the national Farm Aid hotline and the Iowa Concern hotline — where farmers can get support in times of mental health crisis or need — are increasing.This fall, the Iowa Concern hotline saw four to five times the number of calls it had in the same months last year, said Tammy Jacobs, the hotline’s manager.The Farm Aid hotline is also seeing a change in the urgency of calls.“We’re seeing more established farmers calling in — people who know how to play the game and how to access programs. They’re calling more often now, because even with all that institutional knowledge, they’re still running into issues for the first time that are more complex and difficult to solve,” said Lori Mercer, a Farm Aid hotline operator. “The system that’s in place is simply letting them down. There’s just no further safety net.”&nbsp;<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37449301/" target="_blank">Research shows farmers die by suicide at least twice as often as people in the general population</a>, so there’s urgency to address the uptick in need.&nbsp;“It’s a huge issue. I mean, we’ve known at least three families this year whose loved ones died by suicide,” said Emma Yerkey, who’s part of the Ag Chapter of Gray Matters, a monthly meetup for ag producers around the Quad-Cities to talk about their struggles.Farmers experience a lot of stressors and uncertainty that they can’t control — isolation, weather changes, and financial pressures — along with low access to mental health care in rural areas and stigma that may make them keep their pain to themselves. Market conditions made worse by a trade war and inflation are adding to the stress. Mental health professionals are thinking outside the box to get producers care.&nbsp;<h2>Understanding the stress</h2>Yerkey’s family farms corn, soybeans, and hay in Geneseo, Illinois, on land they’ve owned since the Civil War. The farm is filled with memories, especially of her dad, Tim Yerkey.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/with-daughters.jpeg" alt="Tim Yerkey with his daughters Emma (baby), Claire (on top step), and Allison Yerkey (on bottom step) at their family farm. (Photo courtesy of Emma Yerkey)" />
 <figcaption>Tim Yerkey with his daughters Emma (baby), Claire (on top step), and Allison Yerkey (on bottom step) at their family farm. (Photo courtesy of Emma Yerkey)</figcaption>
 </figure>She played baseball with him in their driveway, the family ate meals together in the home, and, one year, her father helped her raise a ribbon-winning calf.&nbsp;“That was a really good memory that I have with him,” Yerkey said.But the farm could be stressful, too. Tim Yerkey worked the land with his family, but at times had to take outside jobs to make ends meet. In 2011, he’d been struggling for about a year when spring floods left fields underwater. He’d reached out to friends and visited the emergency room seeking help, only to be told there were no beds, Yerkey said. He died by suicide in June 2011.&nbsp;“I miss my dad, and I don’t want anybody else — or any other family — to go through that,” Yerkey said.But many farming families experience similar pain. Between 2003 and 2017, more than 1600 farmers died by suicide, the majority older white men.&nbsp;&nbsp;Experts say factors that contribute to stress and higher suicide rates among farmers include isolation, easy access to guns, a cultural expectation of toughness, stigma around seeking mental health care, worries about who will take over the farm, and a lack of recognition for their hard work.Financial losses and stress are also significant risks for depressive symptoms. And right now, times are tough for farmers.&nbsp;Producers have endured high inflation and growing input costs on farms since at least 2020. The spread of COVID and, more recently, policy decisions like President Donald Trump’s tariffs and increases in immigration enforcement have all increased operating costs. At the same time, prices for major commodities are low — lower than the cost to grow them. Corn prices are about $0.85 below the break even point and soybeans are about $2 below.&nbsp;This year, many states are expecting a record corn crop, but farmers aren’t celebrating.“It’s very discouraging for farmers to think that they’ve done all the things right in their fields and have put innovations in place and made good decisions, but yet, even with strong yields, they’re gonna be facing a loss on what they’re producing,” said Aaron Lehman, president of the Iowa Farmers Union.In 2024, the U.S. exported about 42% of its soybeans, most of it to China. With China not buying in the midst of the trade war, some farmers who usually send their crop abroad have struggled to find new markets. The U.S. in November struck a new deal with China, potentially extending a lifeline to producers still scrambling to move their harvest, but it remains to be seen what China will actually buy.Some programs that helped connect farmers to domestic markets, like the Local Food Purchase Assistance initiative, have also been cut by the USDA.&nbsp;“Since the beginning of the year, the farmers have just been thrown into a different level of uncertainty with policy things like losing access to some markets through tariffs, losing access to staff and programming with the government shutdown, and the funding freezes. A big one we’re hearing about is losing access to labor with the ICE raids, etcetera,” said Mercer, with Farm Aid. “I was just speaking to a farmer the other day who was basically watching his crops rot on the vines because his usual labor support was just too afraid to show up this year.”&nbsp;In addition to all of the financial stress, farmers say they feel the work can be thankless.&nbsp;“This work is incredibly hard, and nobody understands where their food comes from. Nobody knows that [farmers] work 20 hours a day so that they can have a strawberry,” said Anna Scheyett, a retired professor of social work who studied farmer stress and suicide at the University of Georgia.<h2>Meeting farmers where they are</h2>Despite the many struggles, some families are finding hope and community in turbulent times. To honor her dad, Yerkey joined the new Ag Chapter of Gray Matters, a Quad-Cities nonprofit that provides mental health resources, education, and safe spaces.<figure>
 <img src="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/tim-and-clifford.jpg" alt="Tim Yerkey and his grandfather, Clifford Rahn, who farmed the family land starting in the 1940s. (Photo courtesy of Emma Yerkey)" />
 <figcaption>Tim Yerkey and his grandfather, Clifford Rahn, who farmed the family land starting in the 1940s. (Photo courtesy of Emma Yerkey)</figcaption>
 </figure>Gray Matters hosts monthly Barn Talks, where participants can share what’s weighing on them, whether it’s stress, depression, anxiety, or other struggles, and receive support from others. The organizers hope to build a sense of community and normalize talking about mental health.&nbsp;“Feeling comfortable and safe to say that — ‘Hey, I am stressed out, or I am really hurting right now. Maybe I am depressed, maybe I have some anxiety,’ — whatever it might be,” said Heather Gritton, one of the group leaders.Offering spaces where farmers can meet and take some of that load off their shoulders can help break down the stigma around getting help, said Sara Kohlbeck, assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin.&nbsp;It’s key for those spaces to be easily accessible to farmers.&nbsp;“Bringing that support to the farmers — or to the rural communities — rather than expecting those folks to come and get those resources for themselves is really important,” Kohlbeck said. “Otherwise, you know, we’ve got folks that are kind of suffering in silence because they just don’t have the time. Sometimes there’s stigma, and there’s kind of that pride issue.”&nbsp;There are also practical barriers. Telehealth isn’t a viable option for many farmers, as cell and internet reception in rural areas are limited. Driving long distances to see a counselor can also be impractical, especially during the busy harvest season.&nbsp;Another approach to reaching farmers has been to train people who farmers trust and regularly interact with — such as suppliers, lenders, large animal veterinarians, and spouses — to recognize when someone may be dealing with mental health challenges and teach them how to support them and direct them to resources.&nbsp;For example, Scheyett has trained agricultural lenders to recognize warning signs of suicide ideation and taught them how to respond. She’s also trained extension agents to take a few minutes at the beginning of agricultural production meetings to talk about stress and offer resources, something she says can make a real difference for farmers.In one&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nacaa.com/file.ashx?id=84add242-bc81-45b1-b2b6-6fc8444e4ee1" target="_blank">study</a>, Scheyett and her co-authors found that farmers who were present at meetings where about 10 minutes were dedicated to talking about stress management walked away with new ideas for managing stress and a higher level of commitment to doing it.&nbsp;Sometimes, offering practical and logistical solutions to big problems can be a part of mental health services, too.&nbsp;“If a farmer has not really looked and done a deep dive into their farm financial system, we have a program that’s called&nbsp;<a href="https://www.extension.iastate.edu/farmanalysis/" target="_blank">farm financial associates</a>, and they’ll come out to the farm, do a big evaluation over the farming operation to see where the hard points are and is there a way to switch things around, diversify, in order to help offset some of the farming losses and costs,” Jacobs, with the Iowa Concern hotline, said.Where to callFarmers can reach out to the&nbsp;<a href="https://988lifeline.org/" target="_blank">988 Lifeline</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.farmaid.org/our-work/resources-for-farmers/" target="_blank">1-800-FARM-AID</a>&nbsp;for help. Help is also available in Spanish.The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.extension.iastate.edu/humansciences/iowa-concern" target="_blank">Iowa Concern hotline</a>&nbsp;is available 24/7 via chat, email, call, or text at 800-447-1985.For farmers facing grain storage challenges, Jacobs suggested partnering with other farmers as an alternative to traditional co-op arrangements.Scheyett suggests everybody can help by thanking farmers the same way we do with the military.“Every time I see a farmer, I say thank you — thank you for your service, because what you do keeps us healthy, fed, and clothed,” Scheyett said.It’s all in the hopes of providing care and saving lives.“Even if you can save one life, I mean, that’s so worth it,” Yerkey said. “I feel very passionate about it.”&nbsp;This story is a product of the<a href="http://www.agwaterdesk.org/" target="_blank">&nbsp;Mississippi River Basin Ag &amp; Water Desk</a>, an independent reporting network based at the<a href="https://journalism.missouri.edu/2023/07/mississippi-river-basin-ag-water-desk-expands-coverage-of-local-environment-and-agriculture-news-with-new-grant/" target="_blank">&nbsp;University of Missouri</a>&nbsp;in partnership with<a href="http://www.reportforamerica.org/" target="_blank">&nbsp;Report for America</a>, with major funding from the Walton Family Foundation.This story was originally produced by&nbsp;<a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2025/12/07/as-farmers-face-trade-wars-and-inflation-calls-to-mental-health-hotlines-rise/" target="_blank">Iowa Capital Dispatch</a>, which is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network which includes Nebraska Examiner, and is supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity.

As farmers face trade wars and inflation, calls to mental health hotlines rise

World’s first real-time fungal alert network comes to select counties via Aurora, CHS, Hwy 75-Chem, Norder Supply, Nutrien and Rawhide Fertilizer, LLC.

DAVIS, Calif. (Dec. 2, 2025) –&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://innerplant.com/">InnerPlant</a>, the seed technology company engineering crops that communicate their needs, today announced that farmers in select areas of Nebraska can take the guesswork out of their soybean fungicide decisions by enrolling in&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://innerplant.com/cropvoice/">CropVoice</a>™ through select local retailers. CropVoice is the world’s first real-time disease alert network designed to help farmers detect disease before symptoms are visible in fields and is available to Nebraska farmers through Aurora Cooperative, CHS, Hwy 75-Chem, Norder Supply, Nutrien and Rawhide Fertilizer, LLC.

“InnerPlant was founded to help farmers, so we are elated to announce these key partnerships aimed at making&nbsp;CropVoice™&nbsp;available to farmers in Nebraska,” said Gary Schaefer, InnerPlant’s Chief Commercial Officer. “Our technology helps farmers make confident spray decisions by providing them with data that confirms an infection before symptoms are visible in the field, so they can better manage ROI.”

InnerPlant, which&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://innerplant.com/innerplant-makes-worlds-first-real-time-detection-of-fungal-infection-in-soybeans-unlocking-early-action-to-save-yields/">recently announced</a>&nbsp;the world’s first real-time detection of an early fungal infection in soybeans, is scaling to over half a million acres in 2026 through resale agreements with key agricultural retailers.

“Farmers these days face a lot of uncertainties, so having access to a tool that takes the guesswork out of fungicide decisions helps us to manage ROI better,” said Nebraska farmer Aidan Kleinschmit. “It’s exciting to see innovative new technologies coming to fields through our trusted local retailers.”

CropVoice uses InnerSoy™ sensors - soybeans genetically engineered to emit an optical signal when infected - to take the guesswork out of farmers’ disease management decisions by sending real-time alerts via text when an active infection is detected near their fields.

The network is backed by a local field team with over 60 years of combined agronomy experience and eight Ph.D.s spanning functional genomics to infrastructure systems engineering. Once the plants in the network signal, that information is amplified with laboratory analysis, boots-on-the-ground scouting, local agronomic expertise, weather data, and advanced modeling to alert of fungal disease in the network.

InnerPlant is a seed technology company developing novel traits that harness plant physiology and unlock actionable data at scale. The Company’s technology enables the earliest detection of pathogens and other&nbsp;stresses&nbsp;in key crops to make farming more efficient, sustainable, and resilient. By tapping into plants’ immune systems, InnerPlant engineers crops that emit optical signals detectable&nbsp;from&nbsp;as far away as space when under attack by pathogens, pests, or other stressors. InnerPlant’s first commercial product, CropVoice, was named one of TIME’s Best Inventions of 2024. The company is backed by leading industry and venture partners, including John Deere, Systemiq Capital, and an alliance of North American farmers via Coutts Agro. For more information, visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://innerplant.com/">innerplant.com</a>

CropVoice™ Takes the Guesswork Out of Soybean Fungicide Decisions for Nebraska Farmers Through Key Local Retailers

Fall is a popular time to collect soil samples from pasture and hay fields for nutrient testing. Time invested in soil sampling generally provides a good return on investment versus soil lab testing costs. Samples should be randomly gathered before the ground freezes with 1 composite sample per 15 probe samples (mixed in a plastic bucket) and used for the actual lab testing sample. Ideally, each sampling probe location should be Geo Tagged using a cell phone or other alternative marking methods. Consistency in sampling depths and using the same locations for repeat sampling years with increase comparison accuracy.

For extremely dry or lightly frozen soils, auger probes usually work better than standard cheaper straight cylinder probes. If lots of samples are needed, consider using a hydraulic soil sampling probe with a pickup mount or 4-wheeler to increase consistent 8 inches depth sampling.

For cropping or hay acres, each annual sample might represent 2 acres on a grid or 40+ acres in a field. Conversely, pastures are only core samples once every 3-4 years with two composite samples per rotational pasture. The key is knowing where soil types change and then gather representative samples from the different zones. For example, lower elevation hay meadows nutrient levels are likely higher than side slopes or plateaus. So, splitting pastures into testing zones may be useful and reduce overall fertilizer costs.

Whether you take samples in the fall or spring, be consistent and account for winter mineralization. Warmer average winter temperatures may result in more soil microbes&nbsp;mineralization and thus more nutrients available for spring root update. So, it may pay dividends to recheck soil nutrient levels in the spring and compared to fall tested levels.

In Nebraska, well nodulated, established alfalfa fields usually fix their own nitrogen needs from the air or soil, so the main alfalfa fertility focuses are usually pH, phosphorus&nbsp;and potassium. Sulfur content levels may also be analyzed with sandy, low organic matter soils.

For native grass hay and pastures, soil water content is the most limiting factor rather than fertility. Livestock producers may still benefit from pH, phosphorus, potassium&nbsp;and sulfur fertility testing especially for differing pastures and soil texture zones comparison. Again, it is recommended to soil test pasture every 3-4 years and at establishment.

More information regarding pasture and hay fields soil sampling is available at:&nbsp;<a href="https://cropwatch.unl.edu/" target="_blank">https://cropwatch.unl.edu</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="https://beef.unl.edu/" target="_blank">https://beef.unl.edu</a>&nbsp;

By Todd Whitney<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745851907586.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Fall is a popular time to collect soil samples from pasture and hay fields for nutrient testing. Time invested in soil sampling generally provides a good return on investment versus soil lab testing costs. Samples should be randomly gathered before the ground freezes with 1 composite sample per 15 probe samples (mixed in a plastic bucket) and used for the actual lab testing sample. Ideally, each sampling probe location should be Geo Tagged using a cell phone or other alternative marking methods. Consistency in sampling depths and using the same locations for repeat sampling years with increase comparison accuracy.For extremely dry or lightly frozen soils, auger probes usually work better than standard cheaper straight cylinder probes. If lots of samples are needed, consider using a hydraulic soil sampling probe with a pickup mount or 4-wheeler to increase consistent 8 inches depth sampling.For cropping or hay acres, each annual sample might represent 2 acres on a grid or 40+ acres in a field. Conversely, pastures are only core samples once every 3-4 years with two composite samples per rotational pasture. The key is knowing where soil types change and then gather representative samples from the different zones. For example, lower elevation hay meadows nutrient levels are likely higher than side slopes or plateaus. So, splitting pastures into testing zones may be useful and reduce overall fertilizer costs.Whether you take samples in the fall or spring, be consistent and account for winter mineralization. Warmer average winter temperatures may result in more soil microbes&nbsp;mineralization and thus more nutrients available for spring root update. So, it may pay dividends to recheck soil nutrient levels in the spring and compared to fall tested levels.In Nebraska, well nodulated, established alfalfa fields usually fix their own nitrogen needs from the air or soil, so the main alfalfa fertility focuses are usually pH, phosphorus&nbsp;and potassium. Sulfur content levels may also be analyzed with sandy, low organic matter soils.For native grass hay and pastures, soil water content is the most limiting factor rather than fertility. Livestock producers may still benefit from pH, phosphorus, potassium&nbsp;and sulfur fertility testing especially for differing pastures and soil texture zones comparison. Again, it is recommended to soil test pasture every 3-4 years and at establishment.More information regarding pasture and hay fields soil sampling is available at:&nbsp;<a href="https://cropwatch.unl.edu/" target="_blank">https://cropwatch.unl.edu</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="https://beef.unl.edu/" target="_blank">https://beef.unl.edu</a>&nbsp;

Forage Minute: Fall Pasture and Hay Ground Soil Sampling

By&nbsp;<a href="https://ianrnews.unl.edu/author/aaron-berger-nebraska-extension-livestock-systems-educator">Aaron Berger, Nebraska Extension Livestock Systems Educator</a>

Scottsbluff, Neb. - Nebraska Extension will host a webinar on Wednesday, December 3, at noon (MT) that will focus on strip-grazing standing milo as a winter feed option. Over the last several years, researchers at the University of Missouri have been studying this practice and working with producers to evaluate the economics and effectiveness of this opportunity. Rusty Lee, Field Specialist in Agronomy with Missouri Extension, and a farmer/rancher who has utilized this practice in his own operation, will share the results of his research and experience.

Benefits to producers who have utilized this practice include the following:

The University of Missouri Extension Publication<a href="https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/g2079">&nbsp;“Strip-Grazing Milo as a Low-Cost Winter Forage”</a>&nbsp;discusses the process for growing and grazing milo with livestock.

Register to attend the webinar at a local site:

If not attending a site, register for the program and receive the webinar link by contacting Aaron Berger at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:aberger2@unl.edu">aberger2@unl.edu</a>&nbsp;or at 308-235-3122.

There is no cost to attend the program. Pre-registration is requested by Monday, December 1, at hosting sites to ensure that adequate program materials and seating are available.

Nebraska Extension is a Division of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln cooperating with the Counties and the United States Department of Agriculture. Nebraska Extension educational programs abide with the nondiscrimination policies of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and the United States Department of Agriculture.

By&nbsp;<a href="https://ianrnews.unl.edu/author/aaron-berger-nebraska-extension-livestock-systems-educator">Aaron Berger, Nebraska Extension Livestock Systems Educator</a><figure>
 <img src="https://ianrnews.unl.edu/sites/default/files/styles/wide/public/media/images/preec-1westco%208-27-25%20ffa12%20day.jpg?itok=Lmms-gB3" alt="&nbsp; Grazing&nbsp;milo can eliminate the need for equipment use in feeding cattle. Photo by Chabella Guzman&nbsp;&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp; Grazing&nbsp;milo can eliminate the need for equipment use in feeding cattle. Photo by Chabella Guzman&nbsp;&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>Scottsbluff, Neb. - Nebraska Extension will host a webinar on Wednesday, December 3, at noon (MT) that will focus on strip-grazing standing milo as a winter feed option. Over the last several years, researchers at the University of Missouri have been studying this practice and working with producers to evaluate the economics and effectiveness of this opportunity. Rusty Lee, Field Specialist in Agronomy with Missouri Extension, and a farmer/rancher who has utilized this practice in his own operation, will share the results of his research and experience.Benefits to producers who have utilized this practice include the following:<ul>
 <li>Direct grazing saves the expense of harvesting milo with equipment and returns nutrients directly back to the ground where the milo crop was grown.</li><li>Significantly reduced winter feed costs when compared to feeding hay.</li><li>A consistent, high-energy feed for breeding fall-calving cows or late spring calving cows with calves at side when utilized with a protein supplement.</li><li>Eliminates the need for daily operating equipment to feed the cow herd.</li>
 </ul>The University of Missouri Extension Publication<a href="https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/g2079">&nbsp;“Strip-Grazing Milo as a Low-Cost Winter Forage”</a>&nbsp;discusses the process for growing and grazing milo with livestock.Register to attend the webinar at a local site:<ul>
 <li>Nebraska Extension in Kimball-Banner Counties, 209 East Third, Kimball. Contact Aaron Berger at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:aberger2@unl.edu">aberger2@unl.edu</a>, 308-235-3122</li><li>Nebraska Extension in Sheridan County, 800 Loofborrow St, Rushville. Contact Brock Ortner at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:bortner2@unl.edu">bortner2@unl.edu</a>, 308-327-2312</li><li>Nebraska Extension in Cedar County, 101 E Center, Hartington. Contact Ben Beckman at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:bbeckman3@unl.edu">bbeckman3@unl.edu</a>, 402-254-6821&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>If not attending a site, register for the program and receive the webinar link by contacting Aaron Berger at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:aberger2@unl.edu">aberger2@unl.edu</a>&nbsp;or at 308-235-3122.There is no cost to attend the program. Pre-registration is requested by Monday, December 1, at hosting sites to ensure that adequate program materials and seating are available.Nebraska Extension is a Division of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln cooperating with the Counties and the United States Department of Agriculture. Nebraska Extension educational programs abide with the nondiscrimination policies of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and the United States Department of Agriculture.

Direct grazing of standing milo with cows examined in webinar

Grazing stockpiled winter range or pastures has several benefits.&nbsp; It is much less costly compared to feeding hay.&nbsp;&nbsp; On native range, there is little risk of damage to the grasses because they are dormant and winter stocking rates can be somewhat higher compared to the summer.&nbsp; Often times, you will notice that native pastures only grazed during the winter are the most vigorous and productive.

It is important though, that you closely monitor body condition of the cows during the winter grazing period.&nbsp; Crude protein is generally the most limiting nutrient during winter grazing.&nbsp; The crude protein content of dormant warm-season grasses will be around 5 to 7% and will slowly decline through the winter months from weathering and as the cattle selectively grazing the higher quality forage in a pasture.

Stockpiled cool-season grass pastures are those that have been only lightly or not grazed during the growing season.&nbsp; These pastures may have slightly higher crude protein levels, but that quality will also decline as the winter progresses.&nbsp; Feeding the right amount of protein supplement while winter grazing will allow the cows to effectively utilize that winter forage and maintain the desired body condition.&nbsp;

A possible grazing management strategy that can be used is to do simple rotational grazing where cattle are periodically moved to a new winter pasture.&nbsp; This will allow for a more consistent diet quality when winter grazing.&nbsp;

Whatever your strategy, though, consider carefully what kind of nutrition animals are getting from the pasture so you neither underfeed nor overfeed expensive supplements.&nbsp; And be sure to provide salt, calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin A free choice at all times.

Winter grazing is a great opportunity to reduce winter feed costs.&nbsp; With proper management, it can help you meet many of your feeding goals.&nbsp;

Grazing Standing Milo as a Low-Cost Winter Feed – Ben Beckman

Looking for ways to stretch feed supplies and lower winter feed costs? One option that’s gaining attention is grazing standing milo. Instead of harvesting the crop, cattle are strip-grazed through the field, using temporary fencing to allocate a small section each day.

University of Missouri research shows this approach can dramatically cut feed costs compared to feeding hay—often less than half the daily cost. Standing milo provides a consistent, high-energy feed source that works especially well for fall-calving cows when paired with a protein supplement. Plus, direct grazing saves fuel and equipment time, and&nbsp;returns nutrients right back to the soil.

Most systems use daily fence moves, giving cows access to about 10 to 13 pounds of grain and the accompanying fodder each day. Proper management helps prevent grain overload, encourages full plant use, and keeps labor to about half an hour a day—even for large herds.

If you’d like to learn more about the economics, setup, and real-world experience of grazing standing milo, join Nebraska Extension’s upcoming webinar on Wednesday, December 4th at 1 p.m. Central, noon Mountain,. Missouri Extension’s Rusty Lee and a producer using the system will share research results and lessons learned.

For details or to register, contact Aaron Berger at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:aberger2@unl.edu" target="_blank">aberger2@unl.edu</a>&nbsp;or call 308-235-3122. You can also find more information in the University of Missouri publication, Strip-Grazing Milo as a Low-Cost Winter Forage.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745851907586.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Winter Grazing - Jerry Volesky</h2>Grazing stockpiled winter range or pastures has several benefits.&nbsp; It is much less costly compared to feeding hay.&nbsp;&nbsp; On native range, there is little risk of damage to the grasses because they are dormant and winter stocking rates can be somewhat higher compared to the summer.&nbsp; Often times, you will notice that native pastures only grazed during the winter are the most vigorous and productive.It is important though, that you closely monitor body condition of the cows during the winter grazing period.&nbsp; Crude protein is generally the most limiting nutrient during winter grazing.&nbsp; The crude protein content of dormant warm-season grasses will be around 5 to 7% and will slowly decline through the winter months from weathering and as the cattle selectively grazing the higher quality forage in a pasture.Stockpiled cool-season grass pastures are those that have been only lightly or not grazed during the growing season.&nbsp; These pastures may have slightly higher crude protein levels, but that quality will also decline as the winter progresses.&nbsp; Feeding the right amount of protein supplement while winter grazing will allow the cows to effectively utilize that winter forage and maintain the desired body condition.&nbsp;A possible grazing management strategy that can be used is to do simple rotational grazing where cattle are periodically moved to a new winter pasture.&nbsp; This will allow for a more consistent diet quality when winter grazing.&nbsp;Whatever your strategy, though, consider carefully what kind of nutrition animals are getting from the pasture so you neither underfeed nor overfeed expensive supplements.&nbsp; And be sure to provide salt, calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin A free choice at all times.Winter grazing is a great opportunity to reduce winter feed costs.&nbsp; With proper management, it can help you meet many of your feeding goals.&nbsp;<h2>Grazing Standing Milo as a Low-Cost Winter Feed – Ben Beckman</h2>Looking for ways to stretch feed supplies and lower winter feed costs? One option that’s gaining attention is grazing standing milo. Instead of harvesting the crop, cattle are strip-grazed through the field, using temporary fencing to allocate a small section each day.University of Missouri research shows this approach can dramatically cut feed costs compared to feeding hay—often less than half the daily cost. Standing milo provides a consistent, high-energy feed source that works especially well for fall-calving cows when paired with a protein supplement. Plus, direct grazing saves fuel and equipment time, and&nbsp;returns nutrients right back to the soil.Most systems use daily fence moves, giving cows access to about 10 to 13 pounds of grain and the accompanying fodder each day. Proper management helps prevent grain overload, encourages full plant use, and keeps labor to about half an hour a day—even for large herds.If you’d like to learn more about the economics, setup, and real-world experience of grazing standing milo, join Nebraska Extension’s upcoming webinar on Wednesday, December 4th at 1 p.m. Central, noon Mountain,. Missouri Extension’s Rusty Lee and a producer using the system will share research results and lessons learned.For details or to register, contact Aaron Berger at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:aberger2@unl.edu" target="_blank">aberger2@unl.edu</a>&nbsp;or call 308-235-3122. You can also find more information in the University of Missouri publication, Strip-Grazing Milo as a Low-Cost Winter Forage.

Forage Minute: Winter Grazing & Grazing Standing Milo as a Low-Cost Winter Feed

LINCOLN – The Nebraska Public Service Commission (PSC) has reached an agreement reinstating Hansen-Mueller Co.’s grain dealer license and requiring the company to resolve its debts with Nebraska farmers. The Commission voted Tuesday to approve the agreement protecting Nebraska’s grain community.

Hansen-Mueller was suspended from doing business as a grain dealer in Nebraska on Oct. 24, following a PSC Grain Department investigation into complaints that the company failed to pay multiple farmers. Since that action, the company has worked closely with PSC staff to address the financial concerns and provide safeguards for Nebraska grain producers and sellers.

“Our decision today balances the public interest with the opportunity for Hansen-Mueller to correct previous concerns,” said Commission Chair Tim Schram, District 3. “Our top priority was making sure these debts were paid during this crucial time in the harvest season, and we’re pleased that the company has already begun issuing the outstanding funds.”

Under terms of the agreement, Hansen-Mueller must:

• Immediately fulfill all outstanding payment obligations to Nebraska grain producers;

• Fulfill all outstanding payment obligations to Nebraska grain dealers and warehouses by Feb. 27, 2026; and

• Remain in compliance with all standard requirements for a Nebraska grain dealer license.

The agreement means the PSC will dismiss its October complaint and will not assess civil penalties against the company.

“This is a positive outcome and provides the oversight necessary to ensure Nebraska’s grain community is protected,” said Commission Vice Chair Kevin Stocker, District 5. “The Commission will continue to demand accountability and monitor the company’s compliance with this agreement.”

Hansen-Mueller began issuing some outstanding payments electronically and via mailed checks the week of Oct. 27. The PSC encourages any producers who have not received their expected payment from Hansen-Mueller within the next two weeks to contact the Grain Department at (402) 471-0222 or psc.grain@nebraska.gov.

Note: The agreement does not apply to some producers and sellers, such as those who negotiated deferred payment or “price later” contracts with Hansen-Mueller. However, anyone who has done business with Hansen-Meuller, whether before or during the suspension period, may contact the Grain Department for guidance, or to report concerns.

The PSC encourages producers and sellers to always be vigilant in business dealings and to work with Nebraska-licensed grain dealers and warehouses.

For more information, including the list of licensed grain dealers in Nebraska, visit the PSC Grain Department website.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762360052835.jpeg" alt="Hansen Mueller Co. grain dealer license has been reinstated by Nebraska Public Service Commission.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Hansen Mueller Co. grain dealer license has been reinstated by Nebraska Public Service Commission.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>LINCOLN – The Nebraska Public Service Commission (PSC) has reached an agreement reinstating Hansen-Mueller Co.’s grain dealer license and requiring the company to resolve its debts with Nebraska farmers. The Commission voted Tuesday to approve the agreement protecting Nebraska’s grain community.Hansen-Mueller was suspended from doing business as a grain dealer in Nebraska on Oct. 24, following a PSC Grain Department investigation into complaints that the company failed to pay multiple farmers. Since that action, the company has worked closely with PSC staff to address the financial concerns and provide safeguards for Nebraska grain producers and sellers.“Our decision today balances the public interest with the opportunity for Hansen-Mueller to correct previous concerns,” said Commission Chair Tim Schram, District 3. “Our top priority was making sure these debts were paid during this crucial time in the harvest season, and we’re pleased that the company has already begun issuing the outstanding funds.”Under terms of the agreement, Hansen-Mueller must:• Immediately fulfill all outstanding payment obligations to Nebraska grain producers;• Fulfill all outstanding payment obligations to Nebraska grain dealers and warehouses by Feb. 27, 2026; and• Remain in compliance with all standard requirements for a Nebraska grain dealer license.The agreement means the PSC will dismiss its October complaint and will not assess civil penalties against the company.“This is a positive outcome and provides the oversight necessary to ensure Nebraska’s grain community is protected,” said Commission Vice Chair Kevin Stocker, District 5. “The Commission will continue to demand accountability and monitor the company’s compliance with this agreement.”Hansen-Mueller began issuing some outstanding payments electronically and via mailed checks the week of Oct. 27. The PSC encourages any producers who have not received their expected payment from Hansen-Mueller within the next two weeks to contact the Grain Department at (402) 471-0222 or psc.grain@nebraska.gov.Note: The agreement does not apply to some producers and sellers, such as those who negotiated deferred payment or “price later” contracts with Hansen-Mueller. However, anyone who has done business with Hansen-Meuller, whether before or during the suspension period, may contact the Grain Department for guidance, or to report concerns.The PSC encourages producers and sellers to always be vigilant in business dealings and to work with Nebraska-licensed grain dealers and warehouses.For more information, including the list of licensed grain dealers in Nebraska, visit the PSC Grain Department website.

PSC Approves Agreement to Reinstate Hansen-Mueller Grain Dealer License

By Chabella Guzman PREEC Communications

Scottsbluff, Neb. _ The annual AgSplosion Field Day welcomed 190 second graders on Tuesday, October 14, to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln at the Panhandle Research Extension and Education Center in Scottsbluff. The 4-H Ag Literacy event rotated the students through eight stations to learn more about agriculture in their surrounding communities.&nbsp;

“We teach second graders about agriculture, specifically within the Panhandle,” said Audra Brown, Nebraska 4-H Extension Assistant. “The students learn about agricultural commodities within the Panhandle, from beans to corn, and beef to dairy cattle. They are exposed to what is being produced in agriculture right here in their backyard.”

The event was held in early October across the Nebraska Panhandle. Elementary schools from Bridgeport, Chadron, Chappell, Hemingford, Mitchell, Minatare, Morrill, and Scottsbluff participated in field days in their areas. A 4-H team was created from extension assistants in the surrounding counties. They created a schedule, contacted schools, and then came together to help staff the stations at each field day to ensure a successful event.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

The stations included: beef, dairy, dry beans, potatoes, wheat, and their many products; corn, and the Nebraska Corn Board; and ag technology used by producers. The swine session, which explained commercial swine operations, was led by Brown.&nbsp;

“They really enjoy looking at the model swine barn - the comment I hear the most is ‘wow that's a lot of pigs in there!’ Having a physical model helps them to better understand what a farm looks like,” she said. The students were surprised to learn that pig heart valves can be used to replace damaged or diseased heart valves in humans, which function in much the same way. The students also learned about by-products that come from swine, such as chewing gum, crayons, and drumheads.

Sponsors this year included: Corn Board Grant, Morrill County Farm Bureau, Nebraska Dry Bean &amp; Lentil Commission, Oshkosh Heifer Development (donating dairy station supplies), Scotts Bluff County Farm Bureau, and Walthers Farms (donating the potato chips).

By Chabella Guzman PREEC Communications<figure>
 <img src="https://extension.unl.edu/sites/unl.edu.ianr.extension/files/styles/no_crop_720/public/media/image/Agsplosion%2010-14-25%20scnd%2029grders.jpg?itok=gLYA4VUv" alt="Second graders listen as Nebraska 4-H Extension Educator Melissa Mracek gives directions and takes questions before the beginning of the AgSplosion Field Day. (Photo by Chabella Guzman)" />
 <figcaption>Second graders listen as Nebraska 4-H Extension Educator Melissa Mracek gives directions and takes questions before the beginning of the AgSplosion Field Day. (Photo by Chabella Guzman)</figcaption>
 </figure>Scottsbluff, Neb. _ The annual AgSplosion Field Day welcomed 190 second graders on Tuesday, October 14, to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln at the Panhandle Research Extension and Education Center in Scottsbluff. The 4-H Ag Literacy event rotated the students through eight stations to learn more about agriculture in their surrounding communities.&nbsp;“We teach second graders about agriculture, specifically within the Panhandle,” said Audra Brown, Nebraska 4-H Extension Assistant. “The students learn about agricultural commodities within the Panhandle, from beans to corn, and beef to dairy cattle. They are exposed to what is being produced in agriculture right here in their backyard.”The event was held in early October across the Nebraska Panhandle. Elementary schools from Bridgeport, Chadron, Chappell, Hemingford, Mitchell, Minatare, Morrill, and Scottsbluff participated in field days in their areas. A 4-H team was created from extension assistants in the surrounding counties. They created a schedule, contacted schools, and then came together to help staff the stations at each field day to ensure a successful event.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The stations included: beef, dairy, dry beans, potatoes, wheat, and their many products; corn, and the Nebraska Corn Board; and ag technology used by producers. The swine session, which explained commercial swine operations, was led by Brown.&nbsp;“They really enjoy looking at the model swine barn - the comment I hear the most is ‘wow that's a lot of pigs in there!’ Having a physical model helps them to better understand what a farm looks like,” she said. The students were surprised to learn that pig heart valves can be used to replace damaged or diseased heart valves in humans, which function in much the same way. The students also learned about by-products that come from swine, such as chewing gum, crayons, and drumheads.Sponsors this year included: Corn Board Grant, Morrill County Farm Bureau, Nebraska Dry Bean &amp; Lentil Commission, Oshkosh Heifer Development (donating dairy station supplies), Scotts Bluff County Farm Bureau, and Walthers Farms (donating the potato chips).

Second graders engage with agriculture at annual AgSplosion Field Day

CURTIS, Neb. — Students from the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture (NCTA) in Curtis gained firsthand insight into Nebraska’s potato and crop production systems during an agronomy field trip to Imperial and Grant, Nebraska. The day’s itinerary included a visit to Frenchman Valley Produce, a whole (baked) potato producer, followed by a tour of Frenchman Valley Cooperative, a regional leader in agronomy services, grain, energy, and feed.

Dr. Brad Ramsdale, Professor of Agronomy at NCTA, facilitated the educational tour connecting classroom learning to real-world agricultural systems and technology. “Seeing how crops move from the field to the market and understanding the complex logistics in between is one of the best ways to prepare our students for Nebraska’s workforce,” Ramsdale said. “Tours like this help bridge that connection between what they learn on campus and what employers need in the industry.”

At Frenchman Valley Produce, students followed the post-harvest process from potato storage and sorting to packaging and shipping. The company specializes in high-quality whole potatoes destined for the baking and restaurant market. The group observed automated grading systems, handling technology, and food safety measures, gaining perspective on how agricultural science supports both efficiency and product quality.

Agronomy in Action at Frenchman Valley Cooperative

In nearby Grant, students toured Frenchman Valley Cooperative’s agronomy and fertilizer facilities, where managers demonstrated blending and delivery systems, explained custom application processes, and discussed the cooperative’s role in supporting area producers through precision agriculture and input management. Students also walked test plots to observe early-season wheat and cover crop establishment, linking field observations with coursework in crop science and soil fertility.

Connecting Students with Nebraska’s Ag Industry

NCTA’s agronomy program emphasizes hands-on learning, small class sizes, and direct connections to employers across the state. The trip reinforced NCTA’s mission of preparing students for immediate entry into Nebraska’s agricultural workforce and providing opportunities to explore diverse career paths in crop consulting, precision ag, and production management.

“These kinds of experiences not only expand students’ technical knowledge but also their professional network,” Ramsdale noted. “Our goal is for every NCTA student to graduate with the confidence and experience to contribute on day one—whether that’s in the field, the lab, or the industrial site.”

<a href="https://ncta.unl.edu/news/ncta-farm-bureau-club-explores-frenchman-valleys-role-nebraska-agriculture/">by NCTA News</a><figure>
 <img src="https://ncta.unl.edu/sites/unl.edu.ianr.ncta/files/styles/16_9_720x405/public/media/image/Frenchman%20Fieldtrip.jpg?itok=xWcYRo2N" alt="From left to right — Wyatt Ozenbaugh of Ohiowa, Nebraska; Aaron Underwood of Esbon, Kansas; Jada Eilert of Jewell, Kansas; Paige Davis of Bartlett, Kansas; Hailey Loutzenhiser of Flagler, Colorado; Mason Semler of Friend, Nebraska; KaCee Jo Saffer of Arriba, Colorado; and Conrad Burrow of Wheatland, Wyoming stand in front of the harvester at Frenchman Valley Produce in Imperial, Nebraska. Their field trip offered a hands-on look at modern potato production, processing, and the region’s vital role.B. Ramsdale" />
 <figcaption>From left to right — Wyatt Ozenbaugh of Ohiowa, Nebraska; Aaron Underwood of Esbon, Kansas; Jada Eilert of Jewell, Kansas; Paige Davis of Bartlett, Kansas; Hailey Loutzenhiser of Flagler, Colorado; Mason Semler of Friend, Nebraska; KaCee Jo Saffer of Arriba, Colorado; and Conrad Burrow of Wheatland, Wyoming stand in front of the harvester at Frenchman Valley Produce in Imperial, Nebraska. Their field trip offered a hands-on look at modern potato production, processing, and the region’s vital role.B. Ramsdale</figcaption>
 </figure>CURTIS, Neb. — Students from the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture (NCTA) in Curtis gained firsthand insight into Nebraska’s potato and crop production systems during an agronomy field trip to Imperial and Grant, Nebraska. The day’s itinerary included a visit to Frenchman Valley Produce, a whole (baked) potato producer, followed by a tour of Frenchman Valley Cooperative, a regional leader in agronomy services, grain, energy, and feed.Dr. Brad Ramsdale, Professor of Agronomy at NCTA, facilitated the educational tour connecting classroom learning to real-world agricultural systems and technology. “Seeing how crops move from the field to the market and understanding the complex logistics in between is one of the best ways to prepare our students for Nebraska’s workforce,” Ramsdale said. “Tours like this help bridge that connection between what they learn on campus and what employers need in the industry.”<h2>Hands-on Learning in Potato Production</h2>At Frenchman Valley Produce, students followed the post-harvest process from potato storage and sorting to packaging and shipping. The company specializes in high-quality whole potatoes destined for the baking and restaurant market. The group observed automated grading systems, handling technology, and food safety measures, gaining perspective on how agricultural science supports both efficiency and product quality.<h2>Agronomy in Action at Frenchman Valley Cooperative</h2>In nearby Grant, students toured Frenchman Valley Cooperative’s agronomy and fertilizer facilities, where managers demonstrated blending and delivery systems, explained custom application processes, and discussed the cooperative’s role in supporting area producers through precision agriculture and input management. Students also walked test plots to observe early-season wheat and cover crop establishment, linking field observations with coursework in crop science and soil fertility.<h2>Connecting Students with Nebraska’s Ag Industry</h2>NCTA’s agronomy program emphasizes hands-on learning, small class sizes, and direct connections to employers across the state. The trip reinforced NCTA’s mission of preparing students for immediate entry into Nebraska’s agricultural workforce and providing opportunities to explore diverse career paths in crop consulting, precision ag, and production management.“These kinds of experiences not only expand students’ technical knowledge but also their professional network,” Ramsdale noted. “Our goal is for every NCTA student to graduate with the confidence and experience to contribute on day one—whether that’s in the field, the lab, or the industrial site.”

NCTA Farm Bureau Club Explores Frenchman Valley’s Role in Nebraska Agriculture

LINCOLN, Nebraska&nbsp;– Students and instructors from 39 high schools met near Wahoo to compete in State Land Judging Oct. 22, 2025. The Lower Platte North Natural Resources District (NRD) hosted this year’s competition.

With sunny skies and calm conditions, students judged at the Lake Wanahoo Recreation Area. The site provided a good variety of soil parent materials for the students to see including loess, glacial till, clay loam, and silty clay.

“It’s imperative we get more young people outdoors learning about Nebraska through hands-on activities,” said Sydney Abbott, Lower Platte North NRD education coordinator. “This contest is an amazing opportunity for students to learn about the land they call home and make real-world natural resources management decisions that prepare them for a future career. From everyone at the Lower Platte North NRD, we congratulate the students who participated in land judging and especially those who qualified for the state contest.”

<h2></h2><figure>
 <img src="https://www.nrdnet.org/sites/default/files/resize/1_elmwood-murdock_dsc05958-750x575.jpg" alt="&nbsp; Congratulations to the Elmwood-Murdock team for placing first at the 2025 State Land Judging contest. The team includes&nbsp;Ayzlee Haertel, Carson Towle, Grayson Schroll, Cami Dieter and is coached by Alan Barnes. (Photo&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nrdnet.org/nrds/lower-platte-north-nrd">Lower Platte North NRD</a>)" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp; Congratulations to the Elmwood-Murdock team for placing first at the 2025 State Land Judging contest. The team includes&nbsp;Ayzlee Haertel, Carson Towle, Grayson Schroll, Cami Dieter and is coached by Alan Barnes. (Photo&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nrdnet.org/nrds/lower-platte-north-nrd">Lower Platte North NRD</a>)</figcaption>
 </figure>LINCOLN, Nebraska&nbsp;– Students and instructors from 39 high schools met near Wahoo to compete in State Land Judging Oct. 22, 2025. The Lower Platte North Natural Resources District (NRD) hosted this year’s competition.With sunny skies and calm conditions, students judged at the Lake Wanahoo Recreation Area. The site provided a good variety of soil parent materials for the students to see including loess, glacial till, clay loam, and silty clay.“It’s imperative we get more young people outdoors learning about Nebraska through hands-on activities,” said Sydney Abbott, Lower Platte North NRD education coordinator. “This contest is an amazing opportunity for students to learn about the land they call home and make real-world natural resources management decisions that prepare them for a future career. From everyone at the Lower Platte North NRD, we congratulate the students who participated in land judging and especially those who qualified for the state contest.”Land Judging is a high school competition that challenges students to gain a better understanding of soil structure and land evaluation. Teams consist of four students from the same FFA chapter, and a few individuals who qualified separate from a team. Each participant learns how to recognize the physical features of the soil, determine land capability for crop production, and evaluate management practices needed for proper stewardship.During the competition, students judge four soil pits using an evaluation card to make assessments on: soil depth, surface texture, permeability, slope, thickness of surface and erosion. The evaluation card is scored to determine overall placements for individuals and the team. To compete in the state contest, teams advance from one of the seven regional competitions hosted across the state in October.2025 State Land Judging&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nrdnet.org/sites/default/files/2025_state_land_individuals.pdf">Individual</a>&nbsp;Champions:<ul>
 <li>Natalie Nutzman, Milford</li><li>Ryan Rempel, Beatrice</li><li>Ayzlee Haertel, Elmwood-Murdock</li><li>Carson Towle, Elmwood-Murdock</li><li>Preston Sjuts, Doniphan-Trumbull</li>
 </ul>2025 State Land Judging&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nrdnet.org/sites/default/files/2025_state_land_teams.pdf">Team</a>&nbsp;Champions:<ul>
 <li>Elmwood-Murdock&nbsp;(Ayzlee Haertel, Carson Towle, Grayson Schroll, Cami Dieter)</li><li>Heartland&nbsp;(Riley Quiring, Madalyn Janzen, Lane Farrall, Faith Hiebner)</li><li>Beatrice&nbsp;(Ryan Rempel, Savannah Bolli, Zeb Edeal, Emily Doyza)</li><li>Doniphan-Trumbull&nbsp;(Preston Sjuts, Jon Kovanda, Riley Bishop, Joe Schuler)</li><li>Syracuse&nbsp;(Kaden Knake, Ryan Damme, Drew Paulson, Baylor Borer)</li>
 </ul>These top five Nebraska teams will advance to the national competition hosted in El Reno, Oklahoma, May 5-7, 2026. For more information on Nebraska Land Judging, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nrdnet.org/nebraska-land-judging-soil-evaluation">https://www.nrdnet.org/nebraska-land-judging-soil-evaluation</a>.Competition photos including team photos can be viewed and downloaded from the&nbsp;<a href="https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCyjKh">NARD Flickr page</a>.

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