Budget Deal has Implications on Agriculture

October 28, 2015 Leave a comment


This week, the White House and Congressional leaders struck a tentative budget deal that provides a framework and additional funding needed to allow Congress to complete the annual appropriations funding legislative process.
According to Traci Bruckner, Senior Policy Associate at the Center for Rural Affairs, the budget deal contains significant implications for agricultural and Farm Bill programs. “This bill takes a small step in reforming federally subsidized crop insurance programs by reducing the cap on the profits that crop insurance companies extract from administering the program from 14.5 percent to 8.9 percent,” said Bruckner. “In addition, it also indicates that the Standard Reinsurance Agreement must be renegotiated by December 31, 2016 and once every five years thereafter.”
“This is a small but a positive step forward,” noted Bruckner. “Insurance companies have been one of the largest beneficiaries of the subsidized crop insurance program. They witnessed double digit returns over the last decade or more, with one year being as high as 34%. During belt-tightening times, it is most appropriate to ask crop insurance companies to accept a reduction in the profits from federal subsidies that they receive.”
“Moreover, the budget deal scraps the Farm Bill provision that prevented taxpayers from benefiting from government negotiations with the private sector over the delivery of crop insurance,” added Bruckner. “This was an outrageous gift to the crop insurance lobby and it is a policy that should never have seen the light of day.”
Bruckner noted further that while there is a great deal more crop insurance subsidy reform needed to support and protect family farmers and the environment, renegotiation is a small but important first step toward much needed comprehensive reform.
“And with the additional funding the budget deal provides to the appropriators to finish the fiscal year 2016 funding bills, Congress has the opportunity to turn back the tide on cuts to conservation,” Bruckner continued. “Congress should move quickly to eliminate the 23 percent cut to the Conservation Stewardship Program in the pending House bill and the $300 million cut to the Environmental Quality Incentives Program that is currently included in both the House and Senate bills.”
“Opponents of cuts to crop insurance company profits have criticized ‘opening up the Farm Bill’ but those criticisms ring hollow when compared to how often Congress has opened up the Farm Bill to cut conservation programs,” concluded Bruckner. “It is disingenuous to use rhetoric about family farmers to protect crop insurance company profits while at the same time cutting the conservation programs that farmers and ranchers depend upon to improve soil and water quality, conserve water, and prepare for extreme weather events.”

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Cougars Fall Short for District Championship

October 28, 2015 Leave a comment


By Clare Wiltse, Sports Contributor

The Cougars efforts for a district championship fell short as they lost to Wynot 52-36. They end the regular season with a 5-3 record. Their district record is 4-1. Wynot has a 7-1 mark with a 5-0 showing in district action.

Wynot used a 32 point first quarter to pull away for their16 point win. They were led by Cody Stratman who rushed for 162 yards and 4 touchdowns and caught one pass for 34 yards.

“Stratman is a very nice athlete,” said Coach Maresh. “He is not really physical, but is really quick and hard to corner.” Stratman is the defending State Champion in the Class D long jump.

Montana Riecken had a 162 yard rushing night for the Cougars. He scored 2 touchdowns. For the season he has 1344 yards and 25 touchdowns. He completed 2 of 6 for 26 yards passes with 1 interception. Benny Estrada broke a sixty yard scoring run as he led the Cougars with 143 yards.

The Blue Devil defense bottled up Northeast for most of the night. They held Marcus Hegy to just 43 yards on 17 carries. They recovered two LDNE fumbles along with one interception.

Wynot had a total of 398 yards. They ran for 258 and passed for 140 yards. Northeast came up with 309 rushing yards and only 26 passing.

Bren Shatto, Marcus Hegy, and Montana Riecken had double figures in tackling. Shatto and Hegy had 13 while Riecken had 11. Hegy Caused a fumble and had a pick six.

The Cougars made the field of 32 in the D-2 State Play Offs with their 5-3 record. Their power rating of 40.50 earned them the #11 seed in the East Bracket. They will play at #6 seed Lawrence-Nelson on Thursday. The Raiders have a 7-1 record with their only loss to 2014 State Champion Exeter-Milligan.
LDNE 6 0 8 22 -36
Wynot 32 20 0 0 -52

1st Quarter

Stratman 16 Yard TD Run 0-8
Pass good

Riecken 1 Yard TD Run 6-8
Run no good

Stratman 40 Yard TD Run 6-18
Pass Good

Stratman 34 Yard Pass Reception 6-24
pass good

Stratman 5 Yard TD Run 6-32

2nd Quarter

Sudbeck 23 Yards Pass Reception 6-38
pass no good

Wieseler 4 Yard TD Run 6-44
pass no good

Sudbeck 10 Yard TD run 6-52
Pass good

3rd Quarter

Riecken 4 Yard TD run 14-52
Riecken to Kroger good

4th Quarter

Hegy Int return 78 Yards 22-52
Riecken to Vetick good

Benny Estrada 9 Yard TD run 30-52
pass no good

Benny Estrada 60 yard td run 36-52
Riecken run good

Tackles

Solo Assisted Total TFL
Hegy 5 8 13
Vetick 3 3 6
Riecken 3 8 11
Hardeman 0 1 1
Shatto 6 7 13
Christiansen 4 0 4
Kroger 3 5 9 1

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Tekamah-Herman School not Meeting Adequate Yearly Progress

October 27, 2015 Leave a comment


By Brandon Lavaley, Tekamah-Herman Superintendent

With the release of the State of the Schools report for each district in the state, there are certain to be questions arising about how we are preforming at Tekamah-Herman Schools. While there will be letters distributed to many of you in the near future, I wanted to take the opportunity to briefly explain where we are now and where we believe we will be in the near future.

Tekamah-Herman Schools, as most other districts in the state, will be on the list of schools not meeting Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). Federal legislation known as No Child Left Behind (NCLB) requires that each district meet AYP or face requirements to improve student achievement. The AYP goal for the 2014-15 school year was 100% proficiency, meaning every student in grades 3-8 and 11 met the proficient standard in reading and math. While this is a goal we certainly strive toward, it is very difficult to meet given the multitude of variables in each student’s education.

Although we did not meet AYP of 100% proficiency, we showed improvement, many areas of significant gains, over last year’s scores in ALL areas at ALL grade levels. As a district, we are extremely excited about the strides we made over the past year and couldn’t be more proud of the hard work our students and staff put in to earn such results. Additionally, we had 35 perfect scores recorded on the state assessments (NeSA) by individual students.

The teaching staff is focused on making instructional decisions based on individual student data from various assessments given throughout the year. The staff also makes preparations for the assessments so the students have the opportunity to achieve as highly as possible. If you have a student in school, please take the time to review individual NeSA results with him/her and discuss ways that they might be able to improve.

The district has made several recent improvements that we believe benefit our students learning and achievement, including but not limited to: new reading curriculum in the elementary, professional learning communities among our staff members, 1:1 laptop initiative in the high school, and “data days” for staff to review individual student data. Looking forward, core curricular areas will continue to be evaluated and adjusted to meet the needs of our students and the standards set by the State Department of Education. The Continuous Improvement Committee, composed of teachers and administrators, meets several times throughout the year to evaluate the district and propose improvements, where needed.

Finally, outside involvement and participation by patrons is encouraged in our schools. A community engaged in the education process helps support our students, reinforcing the importance of what happens at school on a daily basis. Thank you for your continued support of Tekamah-Herman Schools and the education the students receive.

Brandon Lavaley, Tekamah-Herman Superintendent

Brandon Lavaley, Tekamah-Herman Superintendent

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The Gospel of “It’s a Wonderful Life” Coming This November

October 27, 2015 Leave a comment


By Gary Fugman
To make his point, Jesus often used a parable, an earthly story with a heavenly meaning.  Parables allow us to recognize real life events as relevant examples of spiritual truth.  Thus, parables link what we already know to what we should believe.  Parables help us look past a surface story to find deep meanings.  Connect how parables help us to find deep meanings to one of the most loved Christmas movies of all times and you have a formula for a fascinating learning experience.  Imagine using scenes from “It’s A Wonderful Life”, a movie parable with George and Mary Bailey, Uncle Billy, and Clarence the Angel Second Class helping you study the biblical principles of Goodness, Godliness, Prayers and Miracles!
You are invited to experience Goodness, Godliness, Prayers and Miracles through “It’s A Wonderful Life” this November.  On Sundays, November 1, 8, 15, and 22 at 1:30pm at 1506 Riverview Drive, Decatur, Pastor Gary and Sharon Fugman are leading a biblical view of the classic Christmas movie.  Scenes from the movie and guide books will be provided for the four sessions.  Refreshments will be served.  Use these four Sunday afternoons to prepare for the Christmas season…and the rest of your life!
For more information on the Gospel of “It’s A Wonderful Life” Sundays at 1:30pm this November, please call Pastor Gary or Sharon Fugman at 402-349-1953.

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News From Bancroft Senior Center

October 27, 2015 Leave a comment


The senior center provides Information and Assistance to any individual who is looking for services for themselves or another person 60 years and older, the center manager and/or center participant can provide information to individuals on services available within the community. We link individuals to the services and opportunities that are available within or beyond the community itself. We will then establish adequate follow-up procedures to see that their needs were met. For more information call 402-648-3387.

*If you are 60 years and older and need information on programs designed to help keep you in your home longer or if you need legal help, contact Connie at 402-648-3387 or in the evening at 402-648-7648.

* We have the following medical equipment to loan out on an as need basis, wheel chair, bath seats, toilet seat riser and portable toilet chair, crutches or walkers. Call 402-648-3387 during office hours.

Meals on Wheels

*Would you like to get Meals on Wheels? Anyone over the age of 60 years and lives within the city limits are eligible for these meals. You may sign up anytime for the Meals on Wheels program; you can get the meals delivered however many times you want them each week. You must call 402-687-2332 before 8:30 a.m. if you want a meal that day. The suggested donation for the meals is $4.00.

Weekly Activities:

Wed. Oct. 28: The melody chime group will practice at 9:00 am. Come for coffee at 10:00 am. Come and play the golf game at 1:00 p.m. Board meeting is at 3:30.

Thurs. Oct. 29: Rolls and coffee served from 9:00 am. until noon. Tai Chi class at 9:30 a.m. and the walking ex class at 10:45 a.m. Sign up to play in the pitch tournament at 1:30 p.m.

Fri. Oct. 30: If you want to play in the pinochle tournament at 1:30 p.m.; you will need to sign up.

Mon Nov. 2: Bring one or two covered dishes for potluck dinner at noon. There will be cards or dominoes after lunch; come join us.

Tues. Nov. 3: Tai Chi class is at 9:30 am. and walking ex. class at 10:45 am. Stop in for coffee at 10:00 am. Sign up to play in the pitch tournament at 1:30.

Wed. Nov. 4: The melody chime group will practice at 9:00 am. Join us for coffee at 10:00 am. We will recycle cards at 1:30.

 

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Market Report

October 27, 2015 Leave a comment


Dow -15.87 @ 17,630.83
S&P -3.83 @ 2071.32
NASDAQ -9.19 @ 5042.17

According to the Wall Street Journal Sales of newly built homes fell in September, suggesting a highly volatile segment of the housing market could be cooling.  Purchases of new single-family homes fell to a seasonally adjusted rate of 468,000 in September, the Commerce Department said Monday, down 11.5% from August’s downwardly revised rate of 529,000.

Luxury automaker Ferrari went public Wednesday, offering investors a chance to buy shares in the iconic brand and giving Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV cash to help finance its ambitious five-year growth plan.  Fiat Chrysler on Tuesday priced the initial public offering for its luxury unit Ferrari at $52 a share, currently $55.35 and raising about $900 million ahead of the start of trading on the New York Stock Exchange.  So if you have always wanted to own a Ferrari, this is the next best thing.

Grain Markets @10:16am

Dec Corn +4’0 @ $3.83’6
Nov Beans-5’4@ $8.90’0

Harvest progress numbers out later today.  Harvest looks to be gaining momentum and could be as much as 25-30% ahead of last year pace on corn, and 10-15% ahead of last year’s pace on beans.

Corn
Corn remains very range bound with little news or headlines to cause a shift in prices.  I also consider that all the news out there is primarily great harvest progress and plenty of corn.  That said, any news to the contrary could provide an opportunity to reduce some additional risk.  I continue to remain patient for an opportunity north of $4.00.  Understanding we have not been above $4.00 since early August, there is support around $3.72 and then $3.60 and resistance at $4.00.

Spreads have narrowed on corn, with Dec to Mar at about 8 cents.  Our best opportunities to roll were in early October reaching 11.5 cents and have since diminished.  It is my position to motivate clients to make moves at the appropriate times.  I often share my thoughts with everyone client or not.

Blurb from 10/6/15

Corn: I remain optimistic on corn, with plenty of time for an opportunity to present itself sometime between now and July, storage may be the best plan for now.  If you are short on storage, we can use a buy back strategy.  If you have presold or hedged you could consider rolling to the March capturing .11 to .12 cents and putting additional money on that sale.

Beans
Beans have also have continued to be range bound $8.55 to $9.15.  I am inclined to make some sales when the market bounces above $9.00.  Despite great exports, the market continues to hold in the range.  Another consideration, look how quickly we have lost carry in the beans market.  A couple of weeks ago there was 4-5 cents from Nov to Jan.  Friday was even, and this morning we have went to a 3 cent inverse.  If you need to roll, you may have to go to the March just to keep even on the spread.  However I anticipate that becoming inverted as well in the near future.

Weather

image001

For Fun

With Halloween around the corner, it was always one of my favorite holidays.  I used to go all out to make it great for the kids.  There are now college aged kids that tell me I can remember how scary your house was!  Are you ever going to do it again?

 

You see, a couple of friends and myself went all out, from 100 ft of cemetary fence, 6 fog machines, full skeletons from the “anatomical chart company.”  I built a lot of special affects using pneumatics, and even a full scale electric chair.  But one day……we had children, and trick or treating became all about them.  The whole “haunt” ended for 13 years!  But with my boys reaching an age where “trick or treating is for little kids” it time to break it all out again!  So this weekend we will see how much of it we can get set up, but one thing is for sure…… full size candy bars.

 

 

Greg Mockenhaupt

ProEdge Risk Management Consultant

P: (402) 685-5613 | Greg.Mockenhaupt@cvacoop.com

1007 County Road O

Oakland, NE 68045

www.cvacoop.com

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Justine Hysell, 86, of Allen NE

October 27, 2015 Leave a comment


Justine Hysell, 86, of Allen, NE, passed away Monday, October 26, 2015 at her home in Allen. There will be no services at this time. Arrangements are under the direction of Bressler-Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home in Wakefield, NE.

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Richard W. “Woody” Frye, 68, of Wayne NE

October 27, 2015 Leave a comment


Richard W. “Woody” Frye, 68, of Wayne, NE died on Sunday, October 25, 2015 at his home in Wayne after a long illness. A memorial gathering will be held on Friday, October 30, 2015 from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at the Bressler – Munderloh – Smith Funeral Home in Wakefield. Burial will be held at a later date in Goobertown, Arkansas. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the family for future designation. Bressler – Munderloh – Smith Funeral is in charge of the arrangements.

Richard was born on July 17, 1947 in Peoria, IL, the son of Clifford and Jewel (Adams) Frye. At an early age, the family moved to California, where he graduated from High School from Gilroy, CA. He began working with National Fiberglass. The job brought him to Wayne, Nebraska on the early 1970’s. He later worked with Great Dane Trailers until his health forced him to retire in 2012. Richard had a love for music. At an early age he played with his family in a band. He also enjoyed telling jokes and playing cards. Most of all he loved his family.

He is survived by his son, Eric (Katie) Frye and their children Devon and Alexis of Wayne, NE; daughters Tina (Randy) Weaver and their children Justin and Jacob of Colorado Springs, CO and Makayla Sternberg and her son Hunter of Wayne, NE. He is also survived by two sisters-in-law Bobbie Frye of Atwater, CA and JoAnn Frye of Wayne, NE.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, David and Jack Frye.

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Unveiling of Public Artworks in Decatur and Lyons

October 27, 2015 Leave a comment


Two Northeast Nebraska communities in Burt County will unveil separate public artworks on Sunday, November 1 and Monday, November 2. The projects, part of the Byway of Art project, are a collaborative effort by the Center for Rural Affairs, artist Matthew Mazzotta, and the communities of Decatur and Lyons and made possible by ArtPlace America.

 

On Sunday, November 1 in Decatur, NE  “Rural Legends” a new public artwork in the form of a trolley and station for telling the legends of small town Decatur will open at 3:00 pm Downtown on Broadway.

 

The idea for “Rural Legends” came from an historical promotional postcard with a trolley pasted into a photo of downtown Decatur. It came about as a means of encouraging tourism to the town. (View the original postcard (from some 100 years ago) here: http://bywayofart.com/artwork/3808513_Decatur_Byway_of_Art_Concept.html .)

 

On Monday, November 2 in Lyons, NE the Grand Opening of the Lyon’s Storefront Theater will take place from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. at 214 Main. What looks like an ordinary storefront facade, actually opens up and folds down over the sidewalk onto Main Street. Cushioned bleacher seats pull out from inside the structure for people to sit and watch a performance or a movie on the other side of the street, making Main Street into an outdoor Storefront Theater. (View an artist’s rendition of what of what the finished project will look like: http://bywayofart.com/artwork/3828412_Lyons_Byway_of_Art_Concept.html .)

 

Internationally recognized songwriter Josephine Foster will give a special performance at the grand opening. Local filmmaker Bill Hedges will debut his film “Decades,” a documentary film about the history of Lyons since the 1860’s. The film will feature re-enactments of different events and time periods and was shot in Lyons earlier this summer.

 

Who: 

The Communities of Decatur and Lyons, the Center for Rural Affairs, ArtPlace, Decatur Museum and artist Matthew Mazzotta

 

What:

Unveiling of Public Artworks part of the Byway of Art Project

 

When:

Sunday, November 1st at 3pm, Downtown Broadway, Decatur, NE

Monday, November 2nd at 6:30pm, 214  Main Street, Lyons, NE
Rural Legends and the Storytelling Theater are part of the Byway of Art project, a network of four community-specific artworks in northeastern Nebraska. The regional project is a collaborative effort between the communities of Decatur, Lyons, Macy and Oakland; artist Matthew Mazzotta and the Center for Rural Affairs, and is made possible with funding from ArtPlace America. For more information or rain date visit: bywayofart.com.

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Lady Cougars Down Pender, Improve Record to 15-15

October 27, 2015 Leave a comment


By Clare Wiltse, Sports Contributor

The Lady Cougars got an EHC win over Pender last week.  It was a big win because it raised their record to 15-15.  After starting out with a 2-9 record the Cougars have come on strong with thirteen wins their last nineteen matches.

Going into their final regular season match Tekamah-Herman Coach Hathaway stated,  “It is a good feeling going into a game against T-H with a .500 record. We are looking to advance that to a winning record as we head into subs.”

Hathaway commented about the sub-districts that,  ” (14-15)  Bergan is whom we will most likely be playing against 1st round. They are going to be a solid team with a heavy outside hitter. We are probably pretty evenly matched so it will be a good game either way.”

The sub-district matches will be held next week at Oakland-Craig.  Cedar Bluffs, Fremont Bergan, Omaha Christian Academy, Omaha Nation, and LDNE are schools that will be competing.

Northeast defeated the Pendragons in three sets.  Outside hitters Brianne Haskell and Kelly Wakeley had a big night with 12 and 10 kills respectively.  The team tallied 30 kills while hitting 0.195

LDNE 26 26 25
Pender 24 24 10

Abby Peterson   15 digs
Brandi Simonsen  1 dig
Brianne Haskell   2 aces   12kills  2 blocks  10 digs
Kelly Wakeley   1 ace  10 kills  1 block  15 digs
Lexie Bacon   4 aces   15 set assists  11 digs
Madie Ronnfeldt   1 ace  2 kills  3 blocks  1 set assist  2 digs
Mickayla Petersen  1 kill   1 block  6 set assists   7 digs
Libby Henneman  1 dig
Tessie Collins   5 kills   3 blocks   2 digs

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