We are excited about a new Spring program this year. The Haskell Ag Lab will be holding their Roots to Leaves - Earth Day Celebration 2022 on Saturday, April 30th from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. We have demonstrations, presentations, and activities for kids planned. Public is invited and welcome to attend this free event. The schedule for the event is below. Plan to attend and invite family and friends.
New Beef Systems Educator
Alfredo DiCostanzo is the new Beef Systems Extension Educator. His accountability region includes Dixon, Dakota, Wayne, Thurston, Stanton, Cuming, Burt, Dodge, Colfax, and Washington Counties. He is based out of the Cuming County Extension Office in West Point. Alfredo is trained in ruminant nutrition but has spent considerable time working on management issues facing cattle producers, particularly those associated with feed and feeding management. He is planning to develop and implement programming in the areas of nutrition and management of cattle feedlots and cow-calf operations. Because of current economic and prevailing weather conditions, Alfredo envisions developing material and programming to cope with effects of drought on maintaining the integrity of the cow-calf herd and on preparing to manage feedlot cattle during heat stress. He can be reached via email alfredo.dicostanzo@unl.edu or at the Cuming County Extension Office (402-372-6006).
NDA Advises Poultry Owners to Watch for Avian Influenza
Mitiku Mamo is a Water and Integrated Cropping Systems Extension Educator serving Cedar, Dixon, Knox, and Wayne Counties.
The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) has issued a press release advising poultry owners to protect their flocks against avian influenza by closely monitoring their birds for signs of the disease and by maintaining strict biosecurity practices. According to the press release, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has confirmed the Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in commercial and/or backyard flocks in Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, New York, and Virginia. Since the press release, USDA has confirmed the presence of HPAI in a commercial mixed species flock in South Dakota, and in a wild goose near Holmes Lake in Lincoln, Nebraska. According to USDA, HPAI is a serious disease and requires rapid response because it is highly contagious and often fatal to chickens.
Symptoms of the virus include:
Sudden increase in bird deaths without any clinical signs, lack of energy and appetite, decrease in egg production, soft- or thin-shelled or misshapen eggs, swelling of the head, eyelids, comb, wattles, and hocks, purple discoloration of the wattles, comb, and legs, gasping for air (difficulty breathing), coughing, sneezing, and/or nasal discharge (runny nose), stumbling or falling down, and diarrhea.
USDA encourages poultry producers to monitor their flocks for symptoms of HPAI and notify local veterinarian, state veterinarian, or the USDA immediately if they suspect their birds have the virus. The numbers to call to report suspected HPAI are 800-831-0550 or 402-471-2351 for NDA or 866-536-7593 for USDA.
Sarah Lorenzen with Lorenzen Family Produce presented at our March Coffee & Conversations about their family geothermal greenhouse located south of Wakefield, NE. She discussed the design of the greenhouse and explained how they are able to grow fresh fruits and vegetables year round in their greenhouse. It is a family business consisting of her parents, her sister, and herself. They take their produce to Farmer's Markets and other local places currently but are hoping to expand this in the future. The event was well attended and attendees had great questions.
Employee Spotlight
Jim Jansen is an Ag Systems Economist with the Center for Agricultural Profitability at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. His current research and outreach efforts focus on finance, policy, and ag real estate. Jim serves as a member of the extension team providing risk management solutions in farm and ranch management statewide.
Please plan to join us at the Haskell Ag Lab for Coffee and Conversations the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 9 AM. We will have coffee and snacks ready. The next Coffee and Conversations will take place on Tuesday, April 12th. Please invite friends and neighbors to attend with you to share ideas for programs. If you have ideas for presentations at Coffee & Conversations, please share with us.
Upcoming Winter Programs at Haskell Ag Lab
Thursday, March 24
6:00 - 7:00 PM. Math at Home Program - Families with Children Ages 3 & 4 - Join us for an engaging parent workshop to discover simple ways of incorporating math into your child's daily routine. BONUS: You will receive a resource kit to use at home right away and weekly text tips! This parent workshop will be held at the Haskell Ag Lab. Families providing additional feedback on the program will receive $10 compensation.
For more information and to register, contact Sarah Roberts at sarah.roberts@unl.edu or (402) 584-3830. Class size is limited to 20, so register soon!
Thursday, March 31
1:30 – 4:30 P.M. Private Pesticide Applicator Training
Mitiku Mamo is hosting. Call 402-584-3819 for more information.
HAL Science & Ag Family Field Day - August 3rd The Haskell Ag Lab is planning their HAL Family Field Day for Wednesday, August 3rd from 9 AM to 3 PM. The committee is busy making plans for the day. Some of the highlights will be Al Dutcher with Market Journal, field research tours, landscaping, pollinators, demonstrations on farm safety, healthy snacks, self defense, science literacy and other activities for children. Please Save the Date and plan to attend on August 3rd! Be watching for more details in future newsletters.
Suggestions/Requests
Do you have a suggestion or a request for a program at the Haskell Ag Lab? We want to hear from you.
Click this link and complete this form and submit. We will look at all suggestions and requests. The form is available at: https://go.unl.edu/halsuggest
You can also reach us by phone at 402-584-2261 with your suggestions/requests for programs.
