By Ron Seymour

Husker Harvest Days exhibits provided by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln will help show farm and ranch families how to manage change and challenges in their operations.

“Managing Change and Challenge: Strengthening Nebraska’s Agricultural Economy” is the theme for UNL’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources exhibits at the Sept. 11-13 Husker Harvest Days show near Grand Island.

Exhibits will outline a wide range of decision points, strategies and tools for farmers, livestock producers and farm families that can have a direct impact on their economic well-being — many of which are incremental in nature but can have dramatic impacts on their bottom line.

“With the national implications on our commodities and the large carryout of those crop commodities, we are seeing prices being driven down. Farmers are dealing with that reality. We will have a couple of commodity-related activities at the building to address marketing,” says Ron Seymour, Nebraska Extension educator. “In addition, several of our booths will discuss using crop budgets so farms can make sure they are using the inputs they should, have good knowledge and ask the right questions: Will it give me the best return? What are reasonable lease rates and how can we make adjustments on lease rates?”

“The big focus is on farm management. We have options for information that show participants can learn. We will address several production questions, such as how do you feed cattle in a more efficient way? How do you identify weeds? What are some other things you can do instead of growing only commodities?” Seymour says. “Our theme is managing change and challenge, and it’s about strengthening Nebraska’s ag economy. The farmer is under economic stress right now. We have some of the tools that can help, and we want to make sure people are aware of what those tools are and how they can use them.”

Exhibits inside IANR’s trademark Husker Red steel building at Lot 827 in the southeast quadrant of the exhibit grounds will provide information on:

• the relationship between cost, nutritional value and impact of various feed sources for cow-calf operations to make better management decisions

• how farmers can better use federal farm policies, such as the farm bill safety net during a time of transition into new realities in the agricultural marketplace

• using crop budgets to analyze the true operating costs for a farm to become a low-cost producer

• an update on the UNL annual survey of agricultural land value and rental rates in Nebraska, which provides valuable data for landowners, renters and lending professionals

• information on succession and transitions for farms and ranches for those who will be deciding on their next steps.

• highlights of the nutrient value of baled cornstalks for cattle feed and exploration of the implications of the practice on soil quality

• conversations about how families, farms and communities deal with stress

As a new concept in providing information for attendees, a bank of video screens has been developed to provide a big-picture experience of “Hot Topics in Nebraska Agriculture.” Numerous Nebraska Extension specialists will be providing short pieces of information about timely topics that will tell the story and provide reference to further information about the topics. Topics will include crop response to hail, cover crop planting, grazing cover crops, effects of weather and climate on agricultural systems.

The screen will also be used to demonstrate a grain marketing program that will provide participants an experience of making commodity marketing decisions in real time.

There will also be outdoor exhibits adjacent to the building that will feature demonstrations related to pest management and commodity marketing.

The UNL Weed Science team will demonstrate how best to apply pesticides with minimal drift using their sprayer technology trailer. They will also provide an opportunity to learn how to identify field and pasture weeds, and herbicide injury on both crops and weeds.

The outdoor area will also feature a youth-oriented “Commodity Carnival,” where participants can learn about livestock and grain marketing.

Back inside the building, IANR faculty and staff will be available to answer questions on a variety of Extension and research-related topics, provide copies of helpful NebGuides, and direct those needing further information to Extension experts in their local area.

Show-goers can also learn about the latest opportunities for students at the university’s College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, and the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture at Curtis. College representatives will be available throughout the show to answer questions from potential students. Those interested in the Nebraska Leadership Education Action Development program can also visit with a LEAD representative.

Seymour is a Nebraska Extension educator.