Farm & Ranch - October 2020

OCTOBER 2020

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FARM RANCH

THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH

OCTOBER 2020

Expo one-of-a-kind in Nebraska

Young and old meet for goat conference

By GEORGE HAWS For The North Platte Telegraph

This year’s 4S Goat Expo on Oct. 3 to 4 in North Platte brought to- gether producers from all over the state and had quite a following on Facebook video, too. The show and sale portions of the expo, originating from Lincoln County Fairgrounds, were broadcast by live feed on the social media site, with a viewership of over 3,000, said expo committee member Laura Pryce of Broken Bow. She said she was very pleased about that. Goats, in general, are getting more atten- tion as time goes on, said Melissa Nicholson, also a member of the organizing commit- tee. There is good demand in a niche mar- ket for goat meat and the pandemic has cre- ated interest in acreage owners for live goats. This spring, especial- ly, there was concern that the food supply would be disrupted, prompting some people to decide to raise their own meat. It takes a lot less space to raise a goat or two than a beef animal, and people are more likely to be able to slaughter and process their own. “It gives them a feeling of security,” Nicholson said. Most producers raise from 20 to 100 head, so it is not their main source of income, but it is important. Nicholson and her husband, Bronc, raise Boer meat

George Haws / For The North Platte Telegraph Waiting to show their families’ home-raised Boar meat goats at the 4S Goat Expo are, from left, Zane Morgan (11) of Sutherland, and Gatlin (5), Keaton (13) and Kamden Fattig (8) of Brady.

chemicals are not nec- essary. Young goat produc- ers, ranging from 6 to 18 years old, learned some things of their own, and demonstrated their skills in a goat judging contest at the expo. While the older youth were adept at identi- fying body types and desirable traits in mus- cling, bone structure, etc., “We help out the little ones,” Nicholson said, and they are in a judging class of their own. They are prompt- ed to select a goat that looks good to them, then go through the judging card, “which can be a bit confusing,” while an adult helps them identify specific traits that make the an- imal desirable. Youngsters had an important role in showing their fami- lies’ prized goats, too. Typically in groups of two or three, they cir-

of Lazy S-T Ranch in San Angelo, Texas. Dusek is also a retired researcher with Texas A&M University. Management rec- ommendations have changed in the effort to combat resistance of parasites like the dead- ly barber pole worm, to paraciticides, Saner said. “Now we recommend using one class” of paraciticides in a par- ticular herd until they don’t work, then anoth- er class. “If none will work, use a combina- tion,” he said. However, “someday the combination may not work, either,” so other approaches are always important, to deal with resistance. They include keeping the most resistant an- imals for breeding, and culling those that are more susceptible to worm infestations. Producers should also avoid using para- citicides when the

goats at their home near Chadron and have about 35 nannies who kid each year. It’s com- mon for nannies to bear twins, she said. The Nicholsons do most of their sales through a livestock auction in Centennial, Colorado. Some producers market directly to con- sumers, and Facebook continues to be a popular vehicle for marketing goats, as it has been for sever- al years, said Randy Saner, a University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension educator who helps to organize the expo each year. Regardless of the herd size and how they are marketed, goats require careful man- agement, and parasite control takes high pri- ority. That was an important topic at the expo which featured Saner and other UNL extension educators, a panel of goat produc- ers, and Randy Dusek

Please see GOATS, Page F3

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FARM RANCH

THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH

OCTOBER 2020

Farmers give conservation program ‘thumbs up’

irrigation scheduling and ro- tational cattle grazing. Each year, participating farmers also receive what Dallegge calls “significant” financial payments through the pro- gram. Initial paperwork for an application can be submitted through the nearest Natural Resources Conservation Service office, and must be received by Nov. 20. Andrea Hartman, policy assistant at the Center for Rural Affairs, said produc- ers selected for the program are teamed up with a tech- nician to develop a plan specific to each operation. Ranchers in the western part of the state might cre- ate rotational grazing and brush-management plans, for example, while farmers in the east could focus on cover crops and no-till. Hartman added establish- ing conservation practices is playing the long game. “Enrolling in a conserva- tion program like this, it’s really looking toward the fu- ture and how viable your operation will be,” Hartman

By ERIC GALATAS Nebraska News Connection LYONS — The Conservation Stewardship Program in Nebraska is open for applications. Jim Dallegge, a farm- er and rancher in Butler County, just ended his sec- ond five-year contract with the federal program, which gives financial and technical assistance for conservation efforts, like improving soil health and water quality. Dallegge credited the pro- gram for a host of upgrades to his operations, including the purchase of a GPS guid- ance system for targeted spraying. His advice for people lean- ing toward submitting an application? “Definitely do it,” Dallegge said. “I mean, it’s a no-brain- er, really. It helps with the environment; it’ll help your farmwith nitrogen manage- ment, with soil no-till, with helping your soil, with help- ing the water quality.” Dallegge also tapped the program to improve

Paul Godard / Nebraska News Connection Farmers and ranchers in Nebraska can now apply for conservation project funds through the Conservation Stewardship Program.

are kind of disappearing, and boy, it was just loaded with monarch butterflies this year,” Dallegge said. “And other kind of butter- flies too, plus bumblebees and bees, and I think that’s a real benefit.”

was hard to farm. He hopes other farm- ers consider setting aside a patch of ground, to give pol- linators that migrate for hundreds of miles a place to land and refuel. “The monarch butterflies

said. “Not just in five years, but in 10 or 20, or 50 years.” The program also helps preserve wildlife habitat, and Dallegge said he’s espe- cially proud of his pollinator garden, converted from a rough corner of land that

GOATS from Page F2

goats in a line, they prompted the animals to stand with their legs at just the right distance apart, holding the animals’ heads in position to give the best impres- sion, hoping for first place. 4S stands for “show, sale, sem-

inar and showcase.” Nicholson said this is the only goat expo in the state and she has been in- volved in organizing the expo since it moved to North Platte about eight years ago. It was pre- viously held in Lexington.

cled the ring while the judge, Dusek, eyed the animals. Then, positioning themselves and their

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FARM RANCH

THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH

OCTOBER 2020

Fall brings new animal disease concerns

US officials continue to monitor African swine fever

Other diseases like swine inf luenza are al- ways on the industry’s radar. More information on African swine fe- ver and other diseases from the Swine Health Information Center may be found online at swinehealth.org. For cattle producers, early fall is usual- ly a popular time for weaning calves. Grant Dewell, Extension beef veterinarian at Iowa State University, said those calves will need pre-weaning vacci- nations to make sure their immune system is ready for the transi- tion into the feedlot. Dewell said cattle still need to be closely monitored, even when the combines are roll- ing. “Make sure you keep an eye out on the nor- mal things. You want to make sure they are staying healthy,” he said. With weather issues, Dewell said any feed- stuffs should probably be tested. “With the drought some have had and the downed corn from the derecho in August, there is the potential for excessive nitrates in the feed,” he said. “You could have af la- toxin and mold issues as well because of the weather. I would def- initely test any feed you plan to use this winter.” Jeff DeYoung is livestock editor for Iowa Farmer Today, Missouri Farmer Today and Illinois Farmer Today. Reach him at jeff.deyoung@iowa- farmertoday.com.

they had, locations, bi- osecurity protocol, testing availabili- ty,” Pyburn said. “We have our Secure Pork Supply program that enables us to have that information ahead of time.” He said while African swine fe- ver is in the news, other swine diseas- es continue to cost producers millions of dollars annually. Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome is at the top of the list, Pyburn said, and usually be- comes more prevalent as the thermometer drops. He said the outbreak of porcine epidem- ic diarrhea in 2013 heightened the pork in- dustry’s need for better biosecurity. It forced producers to imple- ment strict biosecurity programs on their farms. “We are not seeing a lot of PED now for two years running,” he said. Pyburn said while there will always be new pathogens, some could possibly be eradi- cated like pseudorabies was in the 1990s. One of those is mycoplas- ma. “I think we are in a position where mycoplasma could eventually be eradicat- ed,” he said. “I think if we work on improving pig f low and pig com- fort, we might be able to do it.”

By JEFF DEYOUNG Lee Agri-Media

African swine fe- ver continues to inch its way across Europe, and while safeguards are in place to keep it out of the U.S., pork in- dustry officials say continued vigilance is essential. “There is an empha- sis on prevention along with preparedness,” said David Pyburn, chief veterinarian for the National Pork Board. The recent discov- ery of African swine fever in Germany es- sentially shut down the largest pork pro- ducing country in the European Union, with exports to China and other major customers stopped immediately. “There are no exports anywhere out- side of the EU,” Pyburn said. “They are going to lose billions of dol- lars.” Pork industry of- ficials have worked closely with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and other organizations to put a surveillance system in place, which includes carefully examining imported feedstuffs or other ingredients. Pyburn said this also includes an enhanced effort to control the country’s feral hog population. He said the U.S. is much better prepared than Germany. “They had little knowledge of the sites

Photo courtesy of National Pork Board and the Pork Checkoff via Lee News Service U.S. Department of Agriculture officials and the U.S. pork industry continues to monitor the crawl of African swine fever across Europe, but swine producers in the U.S. also need to be aware of other diseases that can present problems during the fall and winter months.

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THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH

OCTOBER 2020

Deadline for Beginning Farmer Tax Credit approaching

NEWS AT A GLANCE

Telegraph staff reports Corn maturity reaches 96%

59% last year but behind 68% av- erage. Sorghum condition rated 4% very poor, 10% poor, 18% fair, 42% good and 26% excellent. Sorghum mature was 95%, ahead of 80% last year and 89% aver- age. Harvested was 31%, well ahead of 8% last year and ahead of 23% average. Dry edible beans harvested was 87%, near 85% last year. Pasture and range conditions rated 16% very poor, 22% poor, 26% fair, 36% good and 0% excel- lent. Farm Finance Clinic is Wednesday The Nebraska Department of Agriculture and Legal Aid of Nebraska are hosting a free farm finance clinic on Wednesday. The clinics are conducted on Zoom. To sign up or for more in- formation contact Michelle at the Nebraska Rural Response Hotline at 1-800-464-0258.

Midwest Messenger November is right around the corner and, with it, the deadline for applications for the Beginning Farmer Tax Credit. The Nebraska Department of Agriculture’s NextGen program offers the tax credit to help new pro- ducers get a head start in farming and ranch- ing, while giving back to those who own agri- cultural assets. Nathan Beacom, policy associate for the Center for Rural Affairs, said the pro- gram has important benefits for both new farmers and landown- ers.

“For the farmer, the program ensures a minimum three-year lease, which provides the stability for indi- viduals seeking to get their feet under them,” Beacom said. “The farmer also qualifies for personal property tax exemption, mean- ing that property used in production, up to $100,000, is exempt from state personal property taxes.” An additional reim- bursement is available for the farmer to pursue financial man- agement education. For the landowner, the benefit includes a refundable tax credit equal to 10% of the cash

rent or 15% of the value of the share-crop rent received. “This program is a great opportunity for a landowner looking to transition to a young- er farmer and to ensure their land remains in responsible produc- er, this benefit means more opportunity to rent land, to develop a relationship with a landowner, and to build a foundation for a long- term operation.” Applications are due by Nov. 1. Visit next- gen.nebraska.gov for more information or to fill out an application. tion,” Beacom said. “For the new farm-

LINCOLN — Corn maturity reached 96% for the week end- ing Oct. 11, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Topsoil moisture supplies rat- ed 27% very short, 46% short, 27% adequate and 0% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 23% very short, 41% short, 36% adequate, and 0% surplus. Corn condition rated 5% very poor, 9% poor, 23% fair, 46% good and 17% excellent. Corn mature was 96%, ahead of 82% last year and 90% for the five- year average. Harvested was 34%, ahead of 18% last year and 22% average. Soybeans harvest- ed was 82%, well ahead of 24% last year and 39% average. Winter wheat planted was 89%, near 93% last year and 90% average. Emerged was 60%, near

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FARM RANCH

THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH

OCTOBER 2020

Readiness plan is essential during harvest As COVID-19 lingers on, farmers need to be prepared

keeping our distance from others, wearing masks in public places and washing our hands and using hand sanitiz- ers often.” Nebraska Corn rec- ommends farmers develop a farm read- iness plan in case of emergency. No one can learn the nuances of a farmer’s operation overnight, but having a plan in place will re- duce stress in the event of an accident or ill- ness. Once farmers develop their plans, they should place them somewhere where they can easily be found and additional copies can be given to trusted neighbors or friends. Protect yourself: » Always “take a sec-

ond for safety.” An extra second could save your life. » Wear proper PPE. » Drink plenty of wa- ter and get enough rest. » Make it a point to check in with family and loved ones regular- ly, especially when fall gets hectic. » Take time for your- self, even if it’s just a quick walk around the farm. » Monitor yourself for signs of stress. If you notice something odd, say something. » Follow all safety guidelines for equip- ment. General farm infor- mation to include in plan: » Hired help contact information and prima- ry job responsibilities. » Typical machinery dealership and/or re- pair services used. » Crop advisor and/ or farm manager name and phone number. » Crop insurance agent name and phone number. » Ag lender name and phone number. » Locations of equip- ment needed for harvest. Field Plans: » Field names and lo- cations. » Highlight in a plat book, if possible. » Note where the field entrance is and what side is best to start working from. » Location of hybrids that may be sooner to dry down for harvest. » Do you have tile inlets or irrigation equipment that needs to be moved? » Are there any po- tential hazards for harvest (deep gullies or pivot stops)? » What still needs to be done? Do you have

Nebraska Corn Board LINCOLN — As the corn growing sea- son winds down, Nebraska farmers are anxious to begin har- vest. Every year as autumn begins, the Nebraska Corn Board and the Nebraska Corn Growers Association reminds farmers and rural residents to “take a second for safety,” in order to prevent ac- cidents and ensure a successful harvest. This year, safety pre- cautions are especially important, as the world continues to deal with

the coronavirus pan- demic. “As someone who contracted COVID-19 earlier this summer, I can adamantly say this is a virus you want to avoid, and it’s defi- nitely not something you want to get during harvest,” said David Bruntz, chairman of the Nebraska Corn Board and farmer from Friend. “Oftentimes, as farmers, we think our occupations are prime for social distancing. While that may be true, this virus spreads eas- ily, so we need to take precautions, such as

Nebraska Corn Board According to the CDC, the agricultural sector is one of the most dangerous industries in America. By following safety precautions and having a farm readiness plan in place, farmers can greatly reduce the risk of an emergency.

pivots that need to be checked? Stored crop plans: » What is your in- tended location for storage or delivery for each field’s crop? » Are there any bins that need to cleaned out? Where do you de- liver to? » Are all bins func- tioning clearly? » Which bins may need to be watched more closely than oth-

ers?

» Do you have any upcoming delivery contacts? List specific contract information. » Does anyone help market your crops? If so, list their contact in- formation. Livestock plans: » Do you still have cows to calve? If so, list calving routine and processing procedures. » Which pastures do Please see PLAN, Page F10

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OCTOBER 2020

University of Nebraska provides drought resources

National Drought Mitigation Center, Extension team together

IANR News LINCOLN — No mat- ter where you live, drought is a part of life. Being prepared for drought before the next one develops can help reduce the severity of its damaging effects on everything from agri- cultural production to urban water supplies to physical and emotional well-being and beyond. The National Drought Mitigation Center, based at the University of Nebraska- Lincoln School of Natural Resources, along with Nebraska Extension, works with an array of partners to develop resources that can help producers be better prepared before and during drought events. The most well-known of those re- sources is the National Drought Mitigation Center’s U.S. Drought Monitor, which pro- vides a weekly drought outlook across all 50 states and U.S. territo- ries, along with over 20 years of data collected over the monitor’s his- tory. “The Sept. 1 U.S. Drought Monitor showed nearly 33.3% of the U.S. and Puerto Rico area in drought, and Nebraska hasn’t avoided it,” NDMC di- rector Mark Svoboda said. “Nearly 49% of the Cornhusker State is experiencing drought at this time. Since our founding 25 years ago, the National Drought Mitigation Center has been building and shar- ing resources to help people in times like these — and to prepare

for times like these. We have collaborated with local, state and feder- al partners to build drought monitoring and resilience tools. We have worked with land managers and U.S. res- idents across Nebraska (and the country) to learn how droughts af- fect them, and how they’ve best weathered them. We want to share what we’ve developed and learned with you through this collection of resources, and invite you to check out the full scope of our work at drought.unl.edu.” Following are some of the tools that Nebraska Extension and the National Drought Mitigation Center have helped de- velop that can help Nebraskans in times of drought: » Nebraska Extension’s drought response page offers re- sponse for ranchers, farmers and home- howners about how they can mitigate the effects of drought in their fields, pastures and backyards. Visit di- saster.unl.edu/drought for more information. » The Vegetation Drought Response Index combines data from satellites with ground-based mea- surements and other information to detect drought’s effects on vegetation. » The Quick Drought Response Index was de- veloped to complement the Vegetation Drought Response Index, and was designed to detect the effects of drought at time intervals of a month or less.

Graphic courtesy of the National Drought Mitigation Center

» The NASA GRACE- FO soil moisture tools provide weekly glob- al maps of terrestrial water (surface soil, root zone soil and shallow groundwa- ter) levels around the planet. Monitoring the wetness of the soil is es- sential for managing agricultural crops and predicting their yields, because soil moisture is the water available to plant roots. » The experimen- tal Grass-Cast forecast uses almost 40 years of historical data on weather and vegetation growth— combined with seasonal precip- itation forecasts—to predict if rangelands are likely to pro- duce above-normal, near-normal or below- normal amounts of vegetation. » The Midwest Specialty Crop Decision Calendars provide month-by- month and seasonal advice on how grow-

www.nptelegraph.com

Please see TEAM, Page F11

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FARM RANCH

THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH

OCTOBER 2020

Getting the most from grazing corn residue

more supplements are need- ed late in the season after all grain has disappeared. Strip grazing by giving animals only one or two weeks-worth of grazing at a time uses the residue more efficiently than leaving cattle in the same en- tire field for a couple months or longer. Strip grazing per- mits a higher stocking rate and provides a more uni- form diet. Whatever your grazing strategy, consider careful- ly what kind of nutrition animals are getting from the residue, so you neither underfeed nor overfeed ex- pensive supplements. Be sure to provide salt, calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin A free choice at all times. And once all the grain

But be sure to check fields for excess grain before graz- ing. Fields with small ears or fields with wind dam- age may have more grain loss than usual. Too much corn can cause acidosis and founder. Adapt cattle to a higher grain ration before grazing if a problem is ex- pected. How to graze is another decision. Be careful, though, about forcing cows to eat the lower stalks. They won’t get much protein or energy from lower stalks and nitrate lev- els might be dangerously high. If heavy snow or mud occurs before you graze all areas, some good quality feed can be lost. Whole-field grazing per- mits fast, early gains but

By DAREN REDFEARN Nebraska Extension

Corn harvest is starting. That means corn residue will soon available for graz- ing. How should grazing be managed to get the most out of them? When corn residue be- comes available for grazing, several decisions need to be made. For starters, how soon should you move cows to graze the residue? Most years you probably should start grazing as soon as pos- sible. The nutrient value of residue declines the longer it is exposed to weathering. Grazing residue right away will put more condition on cows and faster gains on stockers.

Ag Update Corn residue provides a fall cattle feeding source, but farm- ers must inspect the fields and provide supplements later in the season to ensure a healthy diet.

Corn residue grazing season is here. Make wise decisions to use it in best way possible.

is gone, cows will need about half a pound per day of an all-natural protein to meet nutrient needs.

Wildfire disaster assistance application deadline is Oct. 30

Telegraph staff reports WASHINGTON — The deadline to submit applications for the Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program-Plus for 2018 and 2019 losses is Oct. 30, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said in a

not yet submitted your application for assis- tance, please don’t miss your chance.” WHIP+ compensates producers for loss- es due to hurricanes, f loods, snowstorms, tornadoes, typhoons, volcanic activity, drought, excessive moisture and wildfires occurring in calendar years 2018 and 2019. Drought and excessive moisture were added as eligible losses for the program in March 2020. To date, FSA has received more than 133,000 applications for WHIP+ disaster as- sistance and paid out nearly $1.4 billion in WHIP+ benefits, the release said. Next week, FSA will launch a new tool on the farmers.gov WHIP+ webpage to help pro- ducers understand eligibility for the pro- gram and whether they had possible losses in

Farm Service Agency. “Fortunately, in ad- dition to our already extensive suite of di- saster assistance programs for crop and livestock pro- ducers, we were able to provide addition- al support through WHIP+. If you have

press release this week. “The physical and financial loss expe- rienced by farmers and ranchers impact- ed by natural disaster events in 2018 and 2019 was widespread and catastrophic,” said Richard Fordyce, ad- ministrator of USDA’s

2018 and 2019. The tool will also allow produc- ers an opportunity to provide information for FSA staff to reach out to them. FSA will announce soon the details for producers who experi- enced quality loss from 2018 and 2019 natural disaster events autho- rized in appropriations legislation. There will be a separate signup period for producers re- porting quality loss. For more informa- tion or application assistance, visit farm- ers.gov WHIP+ webpage, or contact the local USDA Service Center. To locate a lo- cal FSA office, visit farmers.gov/service- center-locator. All USDA Service Centers are open for business, including some that are open to visitors to conduct business in person by appointment only. All

Service Center visi- tors wishing to conduct business with the FSA, Natural Resources Conservation Service, or any other Service Center agency should call ahead and sched- ule an appointment. Service Centers that are open for appoint- ments will pre-screen visitors based on health concerns or re- cent travel, and visitors must adhere to social distancing guidelines. Visitors are required to wear a face covering during their appoint- ment. Field work will con- tinue with appropriate social distancing. USDA’s program de- livery staff will be in the office, and will be working with produc- ers in office, by phone and using online tools. More information can be found at farmers. gov/coronavirus.

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THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH

OCTOBER 2020

OPEN ENROLLMENT…WHICH ONE?

next year and you may owe subsidy money back. Finally, for those of you frustrated with the continued rise of the cost of health insurance, you can purchase a temporary plan for up to 360 days or even up to 3 years. I’ve heard some people would rather “go naked” or go without health insurance than pay the premiums. Consider one of these. Temporary plans are not ACA compliant but at least you’ll have coverage for most of the year in case something happens and it’s less expensive. Temporary plans aren’t as comprehensive, as they won’t cover a pre-existing condition, and some plans only give you a discount card for drugs but you’ll be covered at the doctor’s office, hospital, labs, tests, and therapies needed if something happens. A recent ER visit with a surgery and an overnight stay was billed out at over $25,000 and a cancer diagnosis with treatment was easily over $250,000. Going “naked” could cost you! Open Enrollment is a busy time for insurance agents with the Medicare and Health Insurance Open Enrollment Periods over-lapping. Plan ahead and don't procrastinate. Call your friendly insurance agent, shop your options, and get your new plans and pricing set up. If you have questions or want to schedule an appointment with Rebecca Nordquist at Phares Financial, I’ll be glad to help. Call 308-532-3180. Our office location has changed, we’re now at 319 East B Street, North Platte.

their premiums. The subsidies are available to Americans making between 100 to 400% of the Federal Poverty Level. For 2020, it means that a single person with an adjusted gross income between $12,760 to $51,040 can get some help paying their premium. For a two-person household, the range is $17,240 to $68,960, and for a family of four, the range is $26,200 to $104,800. If you are eligible for group plans through your employer, Cobra, or Medicare, you are not eligible for a subsidized plan. New to Nebraska this year is the Medicaid expansion. Medicaid is designed for Nebraskans that don’t make a lot of money. Prior to October, 2020, the only way to get Medicaid was to be disabled, be pregnant, or have small children. Now, if you make less that 138% of Federal Poverty Level you are eligible for Medicaid so for a single, making less than $17,609, for 2 people, less than $23,792 and for a family of 4, it would be less than $36,156. So for those of you working a part time job or trying to live on tips or trying to take care of a parent, you may be eligible. You can call 855-632-7633 or online at www. AccessNebraska.ne.gov to apply. Plans started October 1st so you don’t have to wait for a January 1, effective date you can enroll now. If you are eligible for Medicaid, you will not be eligible for a Marketplace plan with subsidy. Once you get on Medicaid, you have to notify the Marketplace to terminate your old plan. If you don’t, they will automatically roll it over for

thing to review to see if there is a better plan than the one that you have. Rates change every year. For 2021, the Drug deductible will be $445. For those of you that hit the donut hole every year, you’ll be glad to know that the cap is gradually closing. In addition, Lincoln County now has a Medicare Advantage available for 2021 from Blue Cross. It does have copays for doctors visits, hospitalization, and tests with a Maximum out of Pocket cost to protect you from catastrophic expenses. For those of you 64 and under needing an individual plan, your health insurance Open Enrollment Period goes from Nov. 1st to Dec. 15th. There are lots of changes coming in the market so you may have seen your renewal notices coming already. We haven’t seen rates or plans yet but they will be out prior to Nov. 1st. The State of Nebraska has 2 companies with multiple plans available for 2021. Both Medica and Bright Health are back. Bright Health does have vision and dental for kids under 18 built into their plans. For those of you that have an “on Marketplace plan with a subsidy”, you’ll be able to select plans from both Medica and Bright Health again. As of March 2020, there were 11.3 million people across country that enrolled through the Marketplace or their state Markets with 87% receiving subsidies or help paying

By Rebecca Nordquist, RD, MHA, CLTC

Are you confused with all the Medicare advertising reminding you that it’s Open Enrollment Time? Whether the ad is from AARP, Humana, or any other insurance company, you are being bombarded by the “sign up now” advertising. Let’s clarify, there are 2 Open Enrollment periods opening up. The first one is the Enrollment Period for those on Medicare who need to review their Medicare Part D Drug Plan. It runs from October 15th to December 7, 2020 for a January 1st effective date. Medicare recipients should bring in their updated medication lists so that an agent can provide them with updated recommendations on plans for 2021. Just because their medication is covered by their current plan for this year, doesn’t mean it’s covered for 2021. Each insurance company and drug company revises their contracts every year so it’s a good

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FARM RANCH

THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH

Fall heavy grazing for spring pasture renovation By BRAD SCHICK Nebraska Extension

tures do take a little more management. Preserving le- gume stands can limit weed control options and make it a little harder to control if the other broadleaf weeds get out of hand. To review: If spring in- terseeding legumes into

a great way to get a little ex- tra forage off during the fall. Some grazing in the spring after seeding, and prior to sig- nificant legume growth, can also be done to further re- duce grass competition. Heavy grazing should be only a one- time practice in the fall before spring planting a legume. There is no advantage to graz- ing heavy every fall. Legume interseeded pas-

as smooth bromegrass often lose yield due to becoming sod- bound. Interseeding legumes in the early spring or through winter frost seeding can help this and provide some ad- ditional benefits. Adding legumes into cool-season pas- tures or haymeadows can increase forage quality and animal performance. Nutrient cycling occurs faster on pas- tures with legume forage, with

cow pies breaking down faster and nutrients are more avail- able to pasture plants. The legumes have more protein, so animal digestion is faster and intake increased. Finally, le- gumes may decrease the need for supplemental nitrogen fer- tilizer. Grazing heavy in the fall will slow growth next year, re- ducing competition for legume seedlings. As a bonus, this is

There aren’t often many advantages to heavy graz- ing, particularly in years of drought, but on pastures such as bromegrass that need some help to increase animal per- formance, heavy fall grazing before interseeding legumes might be the first manage- ment step. Cool-season pastures such

cool-season grass, heavy fall grazing can reduce competi- tion and allow spring-planted legumes a fighting chance. Windrow grazing can help with feed costs

FARM & R ANCH E XCHANGE Service Directory

baling, storing and feeding hay. Properly cured, windrows can be grazed through the fall and winter, main- taining quality similar to stored round bales. With less than 25% of precipitation in Nebraska occurring between October and March, fall harvest- ing forages can keep deterioration due to weathering to a mini- mum. While windrow grazing can be prac- ticed successfully state wide, central and west- ern Nebraska may see better results due to an overall cooler and drier climate. Along with climate, construction of the

windrow will also aid in success. Thinner stemmed grass species fit best for this system including cool sea- son grains like oats, triticale, barley and wheat, and warm sea- son annuals like foxtail millet and sudangrass. A high, dense wind- row is less susceptible to weathering loss. If forage yields are less than 1.5 tons per acre, consider raking two windrows together. Swath rows parallel to prevailing winds to keep blowing to a min- imum and cut high to leave stubble the wind- row can sit on, keeping it off of the ground. When it comes time

to use, portion off a section of field with temporary fence run- ning perpendicular to the windrow. Start with providing one week’s worth of feed, then adjust the allot- ment to provide more or less as necessary. Even under snow, a well-built windrow will be easily accessed by cattle. While best suited for the climate of central and western Nebraska, windrow grazing can be practiced state- wide. To be successful, harvest in the fall for reduced weathering, build a dense windrow, and limit feed with tem- porary fence.

By BEN BECKMAN Nebraska Extension

With feed cost be- ing a top expense for many producers, one cost reducing option to consider is windrow grazing. Have you con- sidered the advantages and pitfalls of imple- menting this practice in your operation? Windrow grazing is a fusion between hay- ing and grazing forages that when done cor- rectly, can provide the best of both worlds. Windrowing forages allows harvest to oc- cur at the optimal time for yield and quali- ty, while eliminating the cost and labor of

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formation. “The harvest season is a busy time and there are a lot of mov- ing parts,” said Dan Nerud, president of the Nebraska Corn Growers Association and farm- er from Dorchester. “While farmers are excited to get in the fields and harvest their crops, we need to remember that ag- riculture is one of the most dangerous occupations. By be- ing prepared and taking a few extra seconds for safety, we can ensure a safe and successful harvest.”

» Do you have feed brought in? Who is your supplier, are the de- liveries automatic? » What are your rations? » List contact information for your vet. » Hog barn routine? Clean out procedures? » Are you a contract grower? If so, list their contact informa- tion. » Where do you get your feed? Is it an automatic delivery? » Is there anyone you have come help for things like load out? If so, list their contact in-

you typically graze? » Describe in detail your grazing rotational plan. Try to update frequently with where your cows are at the current time. » Will your stocks be grazed on after harvest? If so, list con- tact information of grower. » Are there water needs? Hay storage? Mineral and protein tubs?

OCTOBER 2020 F11

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THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH

Safety is important during the harvest season

utes and think about harvest safety this fall. One of the most impor- tant things you can do on your operation is to have good communi- cation. While this may seem like a no-brainer, accidents happen when poor communication occurs. It’s important that everyone involved at harvest time knows what the general plans are for the day, includ- ing field location, time, equipment needed and back up plans in case something changes. Having a list of work- er’s phone numbers and emergency phone numbers (i.e. fire de- partment, 911, etc.) in all vehicles or in a cen- tral location can save a lot of time if an acci- divisions. The NDMC Drought Risk Atlas, which recently re- ceived a major upgrade, answers all of these questions and provide user-friendly access to the data. » The Nebraska Climate Assessment Response Committee, which includes mem- bers from Nebraska Extension and the NDMC, has a set of drought planning and monitoring resources on its website. » The Managing Drought Risk on the Ranch guide was cre- ated to help rangeland managers better pre- pare for and manage drought. The guide in- cludes information gathered from in- terviews with Great Plains rangeland managers, includ- ing three based in Nebraska, who have implemented drought

dent occurs.

will help reduce the amount of dirt, dust, and debris from enter- ing your lungs. Wear proper hearing and ear protection, espe- cially around augers and grain bin fans. Make sure to get plenty of sleep, eat regular- ly, and take breaks when needed to ensure sharp mental focus. Finally, make sure to wear proper clothing that won’t get caught in moving parts and is easy to see.

ment between fields, especially on busy highways. I can re- member many nights following the combine home after a long day of harvest. The last thing I want to touch on, is person- al safety. Make sure to wear good work boots with slip-resistant soles and heels. While face masks have been an everyday occur- rence in 2020, wearing one this fall in dusty working conditions

to have on hand: One 5-pound extinguisher in the cab of the com- bine, and one 20-pound model at the ground level. Having a fire extin- guisher in the truck or tractor cab is also es- sential as sometimes the person on the ground might notice a fire starting before the person in the combine does. Another essen- tial thing to have is someone following you when moving equip-

By SARAH A. SIVITS Nebraska Extension

Make sure your equipment has slow moving vehicle signs, reflective tape, fire ex- tinguishers, operating “back-up” sirens (if ap- plicable), safety shields on fast-moving parts and handrails. Some of these newer combines have safety features that turn off the reel or head when you get out of the cab. If your com- bine doesn’t have these features, use common sense and turn off the head or auger when working on your equip- ment. As 2020 has been a dry year, it is not out of the question to have potential fire hazards this harvest season. Two ABC-type fire ex- tinguishers are great plans on their land. Nebraskans can also help better inform U.S. Drought Monitor authors and NDMC researchers about what drought looks like (and doesn’t look like) where they live. Sending images to the Visual Drought Atlas allows us to compare landscapes over time, showing what different places across the coun- try look like in dry, wet and normal years. And submitting condi- tions to our Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) network helps us un- derstand how drought is affecting local condi- tions and map impacts nationwide. To see a full list of the Drought Center’s resources, research and projects, and to learn more about the NDMC, visit drought. unl.edu.

This is always an ex- citing time of year as the weather starts to cool off, crops are dry- ing down and harvest 2020 is starting. In the coming weeks, we are going to see a lot of ac- tivity across the area that includes long days and late nights for pro- ducers. Harvest is always a stressful and reward- ing time of the growing season, and this year has been difficult for many producers ex- periencing drought stress, storm damage, uncertain commodi- ty prices and illness from the pandemic. This is a reminder to take a few extra min-

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ers manage production of Midwestern apple, grape, cranberry and irrigated potato crops during drought years. Along with the calen- dars available on the NDMC site, there are also fact sheets that highlight appropriate drought and climate tools for growers to monitor during the growing seasons and beyond. » With every drought, people ask how it com- pares to previous ones the most recent drought, the drought of record for an area or even (often) the Dust Bowl. Until recently, the answers haven’t been readily available for individual stations, and more often than not have only been available for climate

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OCTOBER 2020 F12

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THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH

Waylon is an intact male, three year old, Silver Lab. He is good with dogs and kids, bring yours in to meet him. Can cat test. Seems to be housebroken. Knows sit and shake.

Twister is a one-year-old, intact male, Australian Shepherd. Bring your dogs and kids in to meet him, can cat Test. Please research the breed. Beautiful dog but needs the right home!

Apollo is an intact male, two- year-old, mixed breed. Bring your dogs and kids in to meet him, can cat test. He has been homeless for too long!

Jax is an intact male, adult, reverse brindle Pit Husky mix. Bring your dogs and kids to meet him, can cat test. Very sweet, active boy!

Koda is an intact male, one year old, Husky blend. Good with dogs and kids, can cat test. Very active dog, not a back yard ornament! He needs Daily stimu- lation and lots of activity. Very smart boy!

Mick is a male, 9 month old, domestic Shorthair tuxedo. He would be a great family cat and has lots of love to give. He will make you laugh and laugh! Very social cat!

Pluto is a senior, neutered male, domestic Shorthair tuxedo cat. He is declawed. He is urgent as he has been in the shelter for well over a month. He is super sweet and love everybody and everything. Please consider him!

Twilight is a female, adult, domestic shorthair tabby cat. She is super outgoing and sweet and loves everyone!

Dorito is a male, adult, domestic Shorthair orange tabby. He is good with all and a super happy and outgoing cat.

8 week old kittens, good with all and litter trained. Been in a foster home and are now at the shelter awaiting their forever home.

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