Cornhusker Economics Outlook

February 22, 2014 Leave a comment


John Wilson

John Wilson

 

Cornhusker Economics Outlook – Don’t Miss It!

The ninth annual Cornhusker Economics Outlook meetings will focus on the current ag outlook and management decisions for farmers. The meetings will be held at nine locations across the state, but the closest session will be in West Point on Thursday, March 6, from 9:00 to  11:30 a.m. at the Nielsen Community Center.

The meetings are a concise, fast-paced discussion of crop, livestock, policy and land outlooks for 2014. They are sponsored by University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension and the UNL Department of Agricultural Economics with support from the Nebraska Corn Board, the Great Western Bank, and local sponsors. Topics and presenters at this years meetings include:

Kate Brooks, UNL extension livestock economist, will provide a current status of the industry and analysis for beef and other livestock producers. Brooks, whose expertise is in market analysis and production economics, recently led a study of livestock industry trends in Nebraska. She will interpret emerging livestock market fundamentals, meat supplies, and meat demand to assess producer profit potential and sound marketing and production decisions in 2014.

Cory Walters, a new UNL extension crop economist, will address crop marketing and risk management, using his substantial research on crop marketing and crop insurance strategies and decisions. Walters brings experience from both Kentucky and a farm background in Montana to his new role in Nebraska. He will discuss the outlook for corn, soybeans, and wheat to help producers make sound production, marketing, and risk management decisions.

Brad Lubben, UNL extension policy specialist at UNL, will provide perspectives on the policy environment in Washington and the long-awaited farm bill. With Congressional efforts in January and early February, producers will finally be able to focus on farm program decisions rather than continuing deliberations. Lubben will discuss the policy outlook and program alternatives to help producers effectively combine farm programs, crop insurance, and marketing strategies for success.

And finally, Al Vyhnalek, extension educator in Platte County, will provide additional information on current land and leasing economics. With declining crop prices and profitability projections for 2014 and land and rental prices still high, producers will need to push an even sharper pencil on land and leasing decisions and production plans.

For more information on the Cornhusker Economics Outlook meetings, contact your local UNL Extension office.

 

Emerald Ash Borer Update

Emerald ash borer has been in the news for several years and likely is the next insect that will lead to large numbers of landscape trees dying. This borer has been in the news long enough- people are asking if they should treat their ash trees. The recommendation of UNL Extension and the Nebraska Forest Service is to wait until emerald ash borer has been found 15 miles from a location before treating an ash tree.

Emerald ash borer has not yet been found in Nebraska. It has been confirmed in Iowa, 80 miles east of Plattsmouth NE, and in Boulder, Colorado. While it may be tempting for homeowners to treat valuable ash trees, there is little benefit to treating too early. After a tree has emerald ash borer, treatment can still work.

If you have an ash tree you know you will treat when needed, now is the time to become familiar with treatment options. The Nebraska Forest Service has a good guide for homeowners. Go to the forest service website (http://nfs.unl.edu/eab) or call your local UNL Extension office.

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One New Election Filing

February 21, 2014 Leave a comment


The only new filing for this area as of today is: Tammy Schinck of Oakland has filed for Oakland City Council.

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Jacob Swanson on Music Technology at LDNE

February 21, 2014 Leave a comment


By Jacob Swanson

LDNE Music Student

Here at Lyons-Decatur Northeast we have a class called Music Technology. It is a class where students write articles for the newspaper paper, organize and produce all secondary concerts, and to perform as the Northeast iPad Ensemble.

This is a unique opportunity for Lyons Decatur students because not many schools have a chance to do this. Every 1 out of 10 schools have a Music Te

Jacob Swanson

Jacob Swanson

chnology class which is a really cool addition to the concerts we have.

At all of the concerts, the Music Technology students take care of the sound, lights,  take a video of the whole concert, and to make the concert run smoothly. In Music Technology, my favorite part is playing music. Currently we are working hard to play “This is my Kind of Night” by Luke Bryan. We have done all different genres of music but this is our first country song. In the past we have played “Thriller” by Michael Jackson, “Sail” by Awolnation and many other songs.

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Denise’s Tidbits

February 21, 2014 Leave a comment


Here is my next edition of Denise’s Tidbits.

There have been many items in the news lately.

 

Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.

Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.

1.Let’s begin with the weather. There were many tornado outbreaks in other areas of the Midwest yesterday. There was a great deal of damage and injuries. Fortunately, no deaths occurred. This winter has been a very bizarre one to say the least. I wonder what Mother Nature has in store for spring? I am hoping for a nice, calm spring for everyone.

 

2. Have you been watching the Olympics? I try to watch what I can when I

have time. There seems to be quite a controversy over the ice skating gold

medalist from Russia. I hope this situation is resolved peacefully. I also

enjoy watching the hockey teams.

 

3. The latest unemployment report indicates less people filed over the last

monthly period. It was only a few thousand less, but any little bit helps!

 

4. Last, but by far not least, it is time to file for local elections! March 3rd is the

last day to file for an office. If you want to serve your local community,

please consider running for office. Whether your desire is school board, city

council, or any of the county offices, your service would be greatly

appreciated.

 

Until next time, enjoy the final days of February. Spring is just around the corner!

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Burt County Board of Supervisors Meeting

February 21, 2014 Leave a comment


The Burt County Board of Supervisors met February 11, 2014, pursuant to adjournment of their last meeting with the following members present:  Clifford Morrow, GeraldNewill, David Schold, Perry Rogers, Matt Connealy, Greg Brummond and Gene Rollins.

 

The meeting opened at 9:00 A.M. upon motion by Newill, seconded by Rollins, all voting aye.  Chairman Morrow informed the public that the Nebraska Open Meeting Act was posted on the wall.

 

Upon motion by Rollins, seconded by Brummond, the agenda was approved, all voting aye.

 

Visiting the Board were Peggy Smith, Mike Braniff, Dan Smith, Katie Novak, Joe Zink, Lloyd Olson, Earl Miller, Shirley Jack, Ray Petersen, Harriet Shafer, Vic Jensen, MarlysJensen and Nico Hardeman.

 

The County Clerk Report of Fees, the County Court Report of Fines, the District Court Fee Report and the Zoning Report for January were approved upon motion by Rogers, seconded by Connealy, all voting aye.

 

The minutes of the last meeting were approved upon motion by Rogers, seconded by Brummond, all voting aye.

 

Miscellaneous Receipts in the amount of $577,419.73 were approved upon motion by Schold, seconded by Newill, all voting aye.

 

Highway Superintendent Peggy Smith brought the Board up to date on the progress on the drainage analysis on County Road P.

 

Chairman Morrow reported to the Board that the amount the County currently pays for burials of $1,650.00 is not covering the cost that the funeral home incurs for a county burial.  Many counties only offer cremation, and if Burt County chooses to go to cremation only, it would not be necessary to raise the cost of county burials.  This issue will be on the agenda for the February 27, 2014 meeting, and the Board will vote on limiting county burials to cremation at that time.

 

The possibility of naming Arizona Cemetery and Silver Creek Cemetery as Pioneer Cemeteries was discussed.  Ray Petersen was in attendance, representing the Tekamah Cemetery District, and stated that the District would be willing to mow the two cemeteries, thereby eliminating the need for the County to declare them abandoned and maintain them.  Lloyd Olson spoke for the Arizona Cemetery, stating that they would be satisfied if the Tekamah Cemetery District would mow the Arizona Cemetery and would not pursue having it considered an abandoned cemetery.  Phyllis Rieken, who submitted the petition for the Silver Creek Cemetery, was not in attendance.  The Board considered the issue settled.  If the Silver Creek Cemetery representatives are not content with the agreement wherein the Tekamah Cemetery Board agrees to mow their cemetery, they will have to approach the Board again at a later date.

 

Nico Hardeman was in attendance with questions regarding when the County would hard surface County Road V near Hardsteel, citing the repair costs he has incurred due to dust from the road.  The cost and durability of pavement and asphalt were discussed, as well as the possibility of getting asphalt from the same company that will be resurfacing Highway 75 at a reduced rate.  This project is on the 1 and 6 Year Road Plan, and the possibility of borrowing from the Inheritance Tax Fund in order to move it up to this year was also discussed. Highway Superintendent Smith said part of the engineering has already been done and she will ask for the rest to be completed before the Board makes a final decision.

 

There being no further business to come before the Board at this time, the Board adjourned at 10:43 A.M. until 9:00 A.M. February 27, 2014.

 

ATTEST: MARJORIE R. SHUMAKE  CLIFFORD L. MOPRROW, CHAIRMAN

BURT COUNTY CLERK       BURT COUNTY BOARD OF

SUPERVISORS

 

These minutes are not part of the official record and are not yet approved and may be corrected.  A copy of the approved official minutes is available to the public at the Clerk’s Office.

 

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Great Backyard Bird Count Coming

February 21, 2014 Leave a comment


By John Wilson

John Wilson

John Wilson

This open winter hasn’t been great for bird watching, they don’t seem to come to our feeders when the weather is nice. But my wife and I notice an increase in activity on particularly cold or windy days. We enjoy being able to sit at the dining room table and see all the different birds that come in to feed.

Based on our experiences, here are a few suggestions if you are feeding our feathered friends. Anyone who feeds birds knows how easy it is for seed to turn moldy in feeders. Moisture from snow or rain can leak into feeders and turn bird seed into potential sources of illness for birds. You should keep feeders clean to help prevent the spread of disease to backyard birds.

Clean and disinfect feeders on a regular basis, taking care to scrape out old moldy seed that collects in corners. Wash feeders in warm water with dish soap and rinse. Disinfect with a solution of one part liquid chlorine bleach to nine parts warm water. Make sure feeders are completely dry before refilling with seeds.

It’s important to keep feeding birds once you start so they don’t become dependent on you as a food source, only to run out of food during periods of severe weather. You know, the kind of days you really don’t want to go outside to fill the bird feeders.

Also, if possible, provide water for birds. This is extremely important during the winter because other sources of water may not be available. It seems chilly, but birds regularly use our heated bird bath. Besides water to drink, they use it to help keep their feathers clean which makes them, for lack of a better term, fluffier! This extra insulation gives them better protection against bitter cold temperatures.

Now, if you REALLY enjoys bird watching, there’s an event in February you won’t want to miss … and you can take part from the comfort of their home. The 17th annual Great Backyard Bird Count will be February 14–17. Participants are needed to count birds in their yards, neighborhoods, or other locations. Simply tally birds for at least 15 minutes on any day of the count, then go to www.birdcount.organd enter the highest number of each species seen at any one time.

This program used to be held in the United States and Canada, but is now conducted worldwide. Coordinated by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Audubon, and Bird Studies Canada, the count provides an instant snapshot of birdlife across the continent. Organizers hope to receive more than 100,000 checklists during the event. Also, you can watch as the tallies come in at www.birdcount.org.

Whether you observe birds in your backyard, a parks, or a wilderness area, the Great Backyard Bird Count is an opportunity to share their results at www.birdcount.org. It’s fun and rewarding for people of all ages and skill levels–and it gets people outside… or you can watch from inside, too!

Information from the Great Backyard Bird Count participants is even more valuable as scientists  try to learn how birds are affected by environmental changes. The information you send in can provide the first sign that individual species may be increasing or declining from year to year. It also shows how a species’ range expands or shrinks over time. A big change, noted consistently over a period of years, is an indication that something is happening in the environment that is affecting the birds and that should be followed up on.

So, to take part in this activity for the birds, go to www.birdcount.org for online instructions and tally sheets… then enjoy our feathered friends. My wife and I participated for the first time last year… it’s easy and it’s fun!

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Paper Piecing Class

February 21, 2014 Leave a comment


Cactus Flower Tablerunner

Judy Niemeyer Paper Piecing Class

February 22nd, and 23rd, 2014

Community Center, 413 Main St

Blencoe, IA  51523

 

Sponsored by Susie’s Quilt Shop

1112 2nd St., Onawa, IA 51040

(712) 423-9625

Come and join us for a fun weekend of learning Judy Niemeyer’s paper piecing techniques.  We will be going over how to use Judy’s cutting instructions to help you cut out paper templates and foundation papers to create a beautiful paper pieced tablerunner.  Judy’s techniques enable you to piece very difficult looking patterns and quilts with ease.  Please contact Susie’s Quilt Shop for fabric, patterns, and detailed information about the class.

For any other questions please contact:

Connie Lange – (402)371-8281

cjlange@cableone.netSpecial Garden Project 2014

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Protect Young Trees

February 20, 2014 Leave a comment


By John Wilson

Extension Educator

Recently I’ve talked about injury we might see on evergreens or turf with our open, dry winter. Today I wanted to visit about another kind of injury that often occurs on trees during the winter, but it doesn’t matter on this one whether we have lots or little snow.

While evergreen trees and shrubs are susceptible to winter desiccation or drying, sunscald is a winter injury that can occur on southwest side of deciduous or broadleaf trees. Sunscald occurs when tree bark warms up on sunny days and dormant cells become active. Once active, plant cells lose some of their cold hardiness and are then injured when temperatures drop at night.

Sunscald damage appears as discolored bark, cracking, or sunken areas. This damage stresses trees and provides an avenue for insects and diseases to enter. Often the injury may take place under the bark, but it doesn’t become evident for a year or more.

Sunscald is mainly a threat to young, thin-barked trees with southwest exposure. As most young trees mature, they develop thicker bark and become less susceptible to sunscald injury. However, trees that have thin, dark-colored bark, such as cherries, peaches, and plums, even as they mature can remain susceptible even with age.

Drought stressed trees are more susceptible to sunscald than trees that go into winter well-hydrated. This is another reason to pay attention to correct fall watering; especially of young trees. Deep watering and using mulch to conserve soil moisture are good practices.

Avoid over pruning young trees, especially removing lower limbs earlier than needed. Lower limbs provide some shade to tree trunks during winter. Wait two to three years after planting before removing the lowest tree limbs. If possible, plant susceptible trees to the north and east of buildings or of evergreens. This way, the lower portions of the trees will be shaded during winter.

Protecting trees from sunscald is fairly easy and inexpensive. Wrapping the lower branches and trunk of susceptible trees with light colored tree wrap during winter is the best prevention. Tree wraps can be purchased at most home and garden stores.

White or light colored tree wrap reflects light helping to keep tree bark cooler. Dormant cells then remain inactive and are at less risk of being injured by temperatures dropping at night or suddenly when a cold front or cloud cover comes through.

Ideally, wraps should be put in place in late fall. If you have a susceptible tree, there is still time to protect it. As air temperatures warm in mid- to late winter, the risk of sunscald increases. Warm winter days followed by cold nights can be more common in late winter.

All tree wraps need to be removed in spring after the risk of freezing has passed. Tree wrap left on a tree during the growing season can harbor pests and hold moisture against a tree trunk which may promote disease.

Sometimes people with orchards paint the trunks of fruit trees white during winter. This is usually not acceptable in a landscape, but if trunk painting is done use an interior latex paint. Some exterior paints contain antimicrobial agents that could damage a tree.

If sunscald injury does occur, the area may repair itself. In the meantime, damaged areas should not be painted with a wound dressing or filled with any sealing substance such as paint or tar. These products can interfere with the trees own natural process to close the wound.

For more information on protecting trees from sunscald, contact your local UNL Extension office.

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Senator Lydia Brasch

February 20, 2014 Leave a comment


Senator Lydia Brasch

Senator Lydia Brasch

Looking back on last week, Legislative days 18 through 22, multiple ongoing discussions continue to grow regarding legislation pending and in progress. The conversations happen not only at the State Capitol, but also with constituents and others across the state. Of my bills introduced this session the first one to be heard in committee was LB964. The Judiciary Committee hearing on Friday, the 7th was brief but effective. There were two bankruptcy attorneys who spoke in support of LB964. No one spoke in opposition or in a neutral capacity. This bill allows the bankruptcy homestead exemption to be extended to everyone, including single individuals under 65 years old. Current law applies only to single individuals 65 and older and heads of a family (single persons with dependents living in the same home). This bill allows all single people who file for bankruptcy to claim up to $60,000 of the equity they have on their home as an exemption. The committee members had only a few questions about the bill, including one from Chairperson Brad Ashford about why the law had not been amended a long time ago to include single individuals under 65. Please note LB964 has no effect on taxation and should not be confused with the similarly named homestead tax exemption.

Another of my bills from this session, LB1082, which allows all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and utility-type vehicles (UTVs) to be used as authorized emergency vehicles, was heard in the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee hearing on Monday, the 10th. Presently, ATVs and UTVs are restricted from crossing highways with more than two lanes unless they are used for electric utility purposes, but must be properly licensed and insured, must only be operated under 30 miles per hour, and must have the proper lighting and safety equipment, including a bright orange bicycle safety flag. LB1082 allows fire and police departments and volunteer rescue teams to outfit ATVs and UTVs for emergency response use on and around large highways during day and evening hours. This will be especially valuable to rural communities when their standard emergency vehicles cannot easily reach areas far off the beaten path.

Tuesday, February 4 marked the third day of debate on LB399, allowing amber lights on any public safety volunteer vehicle. After eight hours of debate and a bracket motion that failed 16-24, a vote for cloture (an action to cease debate on a bill and immediately vote for its advancement) failed by one vote (32-12). After a failed cloture vote, debate on that particular bill is prevented for the rest of the day. LB399 remains in Select File.

The Revenue Committee heard it’s first two 2014 ag property tax reduction bills this year with LBs 670 and 813. Currently at 75 percent of the land’s actual value, LB670 would gradually phase-in a 65 percent valuation by tax year 2017. The bill was heard by the Revenue Committee on Friday, the 7th, and committee action is pending. LB813 would drop the valuation from 75 to 65 percent immediately after 2015. Last year I introduced LB145, a bill I was asked to carry in 2013 on the behalf of the Farm Bureau, which offers an immediate 10 percent reduction similar to those that former State Senators Fischer and Heidemann introduced during their terms. LB145 is still being held in the Revenue Committee.

Please contact me, my administrative aide, Katie Wattermann, or my leglisative aide, Joe Neuhaus, with questions or thoughts at (402) 471-2728 or by email at lbrasch@leg.ne.gov.
If you are in Lincoln, please stop by Room 1016. We would love to welcome you. Otherwise, please catch the NETV coverage on your local station or at

http://www.netnebraska.org/basic­page/television/live­demand­state­government.

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Keeping the Good Life growing in Nebraska, Senator Lydia Brasch, District 16

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Colon Cancer Screening Kits Available

February 20, 2014 Leave a comment


For Immediate Release

February 11, 2014

Contact: Matt Punelli – matt@elvphd.org

Elkhorn Logan Valley Public Health Department

 

Free Colon Cancer Screening Kits Available

Colon cancer is preventable and treatable if discovered early, so now is the time to think about getting screened. Over 90% of colorectal cancer cases are found in adults aged 50 and over, which is why yearly screenings are important if you are over 50. Treatment is most effective when colon cancer is detected early, and screening can even prevent colon cancer by finding and removing polyps before they become cancer. The Elkhorn Logan Valley Colon Cancer Prevention Coalition has free Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) kits available at area locations.

 

Kit locations in Cuming County:

  • Shopko Pharmacy in West Point
  • Tom’s Rexall in West Point
  • Dinklage Medical Clinic in West Point
  • Cuming County Extension Office
  • Wisner Pharmacy
  • Wisner Family Practice
  • Elkhorn Logan Valley Public Health Department

 

Kit locations in Burt County:

  • Tekamah Mercy Medical Clinic
  • Wragge Pharmacy in Tekamah
  • Lyons Public Library
  • Oakland Public Library

 

For more information about the free FOBT kits please contact the Elkhorn Logan Valley Public Health Department at (402) 529-2233.

 

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