This year hasn't been easy on farmers. Whether it's low commodity prices, tariffs or Mother Nature, producers have been hit from all angles at some point in the past year.

With extreme low temperatures and blizzards, extreme flooding, and extreme heat, 2019 got off to a rough start that never improved for some places in the Midwest and Great Plains.

Morale may be a little low in farm country this year. There are always ways to cut costs and be more profitable, but you can only tighten belts so much. And keep in mind that some things — weather and certain market-influencing factors — are out of your control.

However, Husker Harvest Days is a place to find useful tips, strategies and tools to take home to your operation — things that you can control, and hopefully improve in a profitable way.

Brand new for HHD this year is the International Visitors Center, which is intended to foster connections between U.S. businesses and international customers and partners, and to showcase Nebraska's resources and products to foreign companies.

However, it isn't limited to large companies — if you're a small Nebraska business owner, this is a prime opportunity to learn about the Nebraska Department of Economic Development's State Trade and Expansion Program, and how the program can help defray the costs of marketing internationally.

This year, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is emphasizing strategies for staying strong in the wake of extremes — including extreme weather and stress — at the Husker Red Building on Lot 827 on Eighth Street in the southeast quadrant of the exhibit field.

Nebraska Extension faculty will discuss weather readiness, stress management, ag economics, ag leadership, beef and crop production, irrigation efficiency, horticulture, and careers in agriculture. So, if you've got a question on any of these topics, bring it with you — there's likely an expert who can provide some insight.

This year, HHD has split up field demonstrations to give two chances to see new combines in the field, with demonstrations running once in the morning and again in the afternoon. There will be one pass of each combine in the morning, starting at 10:30 a.m., and again in the afternoon, starting at 1 p.m. — rather than two passes in the morning, as in previous years. This way, if you can't make it to one demonstration, you can still catch a demo later or earlier on in the day.

This year, to get the most out of the cost of entering the show, Titan Tire is sponsoring wristbands visitors will receive on entry. So, bring your wristband to the Titan Tire/Graham Tire exhibit on Lot 530 in the northeast quadrant to receive a $100 discount on any purchase of Titan or Goodyear farm tires — including pivots, ATVs and equipment.

It's been a rough year for agriculture — there's no way around it. If you're feeling the crunch this season, whether because of economics, weather extremes or stress, we hope there's something at HHD you can bring home to help improve your ranch or farming operation.