1. Tree Selection for Acreages
The selection and placement of trees that are well adapted to Nebraska’s challenging growing conditions are crucial to the creation of a pleasant acreage environment. Trees must be chosen to fit the existing site conditions, so that they thrive with few, if any, pest problems.
Trees must also perform their desired function, whether that is to provide shade, screen out unpleasant views, provide habitat for wildlife or increase the home’s energy efficiency. Presented by Justin Evertson, Assistant Director of the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum, this workshop will help you to learn how to choose the best tree species for shade, wind protection, wildlife and fun.
Tree Selection for Acreages , the first program in the fall 2007 Rural Living Clinic series, will be held on the following dates:
Live Presentations:
Sept 4, 7-9 p.m., UNL Extension Douglas/Sarpy County, 8015 W. Center Road, Omaha
Sept 5, 7-9 p.m., UNL Extension Lancaster County , 444 Cherrycreek Road, Lincoln
Adobe Connect Presentations:
Saturday, Sept 8, 9-11 a.m.
- UNL Extension Dodge County , 1206 W. 23 rd Street, Fremont
- UNL Extension Hall County, 3180 W. Hwy 34, Grand Island
- UNL Extension Platte County , 2610. 14 th Street, Columbus
Pre-registration is $10 per person, and must be received 3 working days before the program. Late registration is $15 per person.
Program brochure
For more information Acreage & Small Farm Insights website at http://acreage.unl.edu, or contact John Fech, (402) 444-7804, jfech1@unl.edu or Sarah Browning, (402) 727-2775, sbrowning2@unl.edu.
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2. Fire On The Acreage
Fire has always been part of the rural landscape. If you choose to live within that rural landscape, it pays to know how to make your acreage as fire resistant as possible. Using prescribed fire as a tool is often another important part of rural living. Both of these "burning issues" will be discussed in "Fire on the Acreage." Presented by Casey McCoy, Wildland Fire Training Manager with the Nebraska Forest Service, this workshop will help you to protect your acreage.
Fire On The Acreage , the second program in the fall 2007 Rural Living Clinic series, will be held on the following dates:
Live Presentations:
October 9, 7-9 p.m., UNL Extension Lancaster County , 444 Cherrycreek Road, Lincoln
October 10, 7-9 p.m., UNL Extension Douglas/Sarpy County, 8015 W. Center Road, Omaha
Adobe Connect Presentation:
Saturday, October 6, 9-11 a.m.
- UNL Extension Dodge County , 1206 W. 23 rd Street, Fremont
- UNL Extension Hall County, 3180 W. Hwy 34, Grand Island
- UNL Extension Platte County , 2610. 14 th Street, Columbus
Pre-registration is $10 per person, and must be received 3 working days before the program. Late registration is $15 per person.
Program brochure
For more information visit the Acreage & Small Farm Insights website at http://acreage.unl.edu, or contact Sarah Browning, (402) 727-2775, sbrowning2@unl.edu.
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3. Control Winter Annual Weeds In Fall
By Tom Dorn, UNL Extension Educator
Winter annual broadleaf weeds such as Henbit, Marestail and the mustards (field pennycress, Shepherds purse, Tansy mustard, Blue Mustard, etc.) germinate in the fall, overwinter as a green plant, begin growing again in early spring, then complete their life cycle and go to seed in the spring or early summer. The best time to apply post-emergent control measures to winter annuals is in the fall when the seedling plants are small and the plant has not had time to store much energy in the root system. Timing is not critical, so there is an extended window to apply herbicides after harvest in most years. Best control will be achieved if daytime temperatures are above 60 degrees F, but good control can be obtained even when temps are in the 50's most years.
Too often, farmers and/or homeowners wait until spring to attempt control of winter annual weeds. Unfortunately, several factors are working against you in the spring. In the early spring, the weather is more unpredictable. It can be warm one day and cold the next. Second, is the growth stage of winter annual weeds. In the spring, winter annuals are in the reproductive mode. They bolt quickly, flower and before you know it, they are setting seed. The plant is larger with a more developed root system and is flowering, so is less likely to receive a lethal dose of herbicide from your application.
In the fall, the weather is usually more cooperative and weeds are in the rosette (vegetative) stage and more susceptible to herbicides. Winter annuals can typically be sprayed from late September to early December, weather permitting. As far as rates are concerned, fall applications typically require less herbicide and thus, less expense.
The common winter annuals can be readily controlled with the following products.
Crop production field applications
- 1.5 - 2 pints of 2,4-D ester/ acre
- 1 pint 2,4-D + 4 ounces dicamba / acre
- 24 ounces of glyphosate / acre
- 1 pint 2,4-D + 16 ounces glyphosate / acre
Home lawn applications
- Selective, 3-way products, such as Trimec, Triamine or Ortho Weed-B-Gon, containing herbicides like 2, 4-D, dicamba, and MCPP.
Follow lable rate recommendations.
Note: Atrazine is not labeled for fall application in Nebraska.
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4. Downy Brome in Pastures
By Tom Dorn, UNL Extension Educator
Downy brome is a winter annual grass which tends to invade over-grazed areas of pastures. Downy brome is less palatable than most other grasses at all growth stages and is refused by grazing animals once it heads out. This gives Downy brome a competitive advantage over desirable grasses in grazed pastures, so the tendency is for patches of Downy brome to get bigger over time.
There are no selective herbicides registered for pre-emergent control of weeds in pastures. It is often suggested to kill Downy brome with a non-selective post emergent herbicide that has no residual soil activity, such as Paraquat or Glyphosate, then overseed with desirable grass species.
University researchers have not had success killing a stand of Downy brome, then immediately planting grasses into the treated area. If the Downy brome is allowed to grow until spring, it has usually used up so much of the soil water, the new plants can’t establish well. If you wait to plant the desirable grasses in late summer, Downy brome seeds near the soil surface germinate with the new grass and provide too much competition.
The best approach when renovating pastures, is to kill Downy brome in fall, and again the following spring and then plant the area to be renovated to a summer annual crop such as sudangrass, forage sorghum or a sorghum-sudan hybrid. Repeat these actions a second year to further reduce the number of Downy brome seeds in the soil.
In the third spring, kill any surviving Downy brome with chemicals or tillage, then plant permanent grass species. By this time, desirable species should have enough soil moisture to become established and should be able to compete with the remaining Downy brome seeds (now at least three years old) that may germinate in the fall.
Source: Downy Brome Control NebGuide http://www.ianrpubs.unl.edu/epublic/live/g422/build/g422.pdf
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5. A Refresher On Rabies Safety
By Dr. Annette Bredthauer, Nebraska Dept. of Health and Human Services and Stephen Vantassel, UNL Project Coodinator--Wildlife Damage
Late summer and fall is the time of year that various species of bats are found in houses and apartments in increasing numbers. This may be due to cooler weather reminding them that migration or hibernation is coming, or young bats becoming disoriented. While the bat is as unhappy to be in the house as the person is who finds it, the potential for rabies exposure should be the most important consideration. Human rabies is rare in the United States, however when it occurs, the majority of cases are from bat bites. Bat bites are very superficial and easily overlooked. Persons can be bitten while they are asleep and not be aware of bat exposure.
The following points describe situations where a bat should be captured and tested for rabies:
- A bat found in a room with a sleeping person or someone waking to find a bat in the room.
- A bat found in the room with persons who cannot clearly communicate about any bat contact , such as small children, intoxicated or drug impaired persons, or mentally impaired individuals.
- A physical collision with a bat or stepping on a bat with bare feet.
Bats found in the previously described scenarios should not be released outdoors. They should be captured and submitted to the laboratory for rabies testing. Bats can be easily captured when they land on the walls or curtains. If a butterfly net is available, it can be positioned over the resting bat and a stiff piece of cardboard is slid between the net and the wall. This makes a small enclosure to keep the bat secure until it is placed on a container with a lid. If no net is available, the same process can be performed with a large jar or container. It is important not to damage the bat by striking them as this may void potential testing. Information on capturing bats can also be found at http://www.icwdm.org/wildlife/bat/bat.asp
Submit the captured bats for testing through a veterinarian or public health agency.
People with potential contact to bats that could not be located or accidentally released should contact their physician to determine if post-exposure rabies treatment is required.
Terrestrial mammals
Exposure to the saliva of wild animals through bites or the contact with their saliva in a person’s eyes, nose, mouth or fresh bleeding wound constitutes a potential rabies exposure. The virus is not capable of entering the body through unbroken skin. Dogs and cats that are fighting with wild animals may have saliva on their fur, and may be a source of human exposure until the saliva has dried. Skunk spray has not been shown to carry the rabies virus.
Only warm blooded animals are capable of becoming rabid. Fish, reptiles (such as turtles, snakes, and lizards), amphibians (frogs, toads and salamanders) insects and birds do not carry rabies. Some wildlife and pets are considered a low rabies risk. These include chipmunks, gerbils, guinea pigs, hamsters, mice, rabbits, rats and squirrels. Opossums are also rarely infected with rabies, possibly due to their lower body temperature. A public health professional should be consulted after contact with the low incidence animals to determine if testing is necessary.
In situations with wild animal contact, the animal should be confined or killed if possible to do so safely. Since the intact brain is necessary for laboratory testing, do not shoot the animal in the head. All specimens must be kept cold or frozen and not be decomposed for lab testing.
One cannot diagnose an animal as rabid by visual observation or any other test except laboratory examination of the brain. Owned dogs, cats, and ferrets that have bitten may be confined for 10 days to observe for rabies symptoms. If clinical signs of rabies appear, they are then euthanized and tested. All testing for human exposure is performed at Kansas State University Rabies Laboratory. Some species of animal testing with human exposure will be paid for by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. Individual case approval must be obtained before submission of the animal.
The rabies treatment protocol for people exposed to rabid animals consists of one injection of rabies immune globulin and a series of 5 injections of rabies vaccine given in the arm muscle over a period of one month. There are no treatments for domestic animals that are exposed to a rabid animal. Fortunately, an animal that is properly vaccinated for rabies will have good immunity to the disease.
A point to remember is that rabies is nearly always fatal unless post-exposure treatment is undertaken. It is suggested that a public health official be consulted in cases that involve human exposure.
Annette Bredthauer, MPH, DVM
Public Health Veterinarian
Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services
402-471-1374, 402-471-2937 Division phone
Stephen Vantassel, Project Coordinator-Wildlife Damage Management
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
402-472-8961 svantassel2@unl.eduhttp://icwdm.org
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6. Small Tractors Are Just As Dangerous
By Sharry Nielsen, UNL Extension Educator
Despite the best efforts of safety professionals, tractor overturns continue to plague rural America with nearly 200 deaths reported annually. For farm families, it has become almost a way of life, a risk they take with the dangerous job of farming.
But recently, tractor overturns have hit suburbia. Although smaller lawn and garden tractors are blamed for the tragic incidents, the way the machines are being operated is more often the culprit.
If your family has joined the ranks of small tractor owners, be sure you take steps to keep all operators safe. Some specific guidelines include:
- Young operators are risk-takers. They often overestimate their abilities and underestimate the hazards. You can help by training youth BEFORE they begin such jobs as mowing or garden tilling. Be sure they know not only how to operate the tractor, but how to stay out of critical situations.
- Once trained, supervise! Keep a watchful eye on your young operator for the first several times he/she is at the wheel. After you feel comfortable with their use of the machine, an occasional check may be all that is needed.
- Insist on a “no-rider” policy for youth and adults. No operator can give his full attention to the operation at hand, whether on a large or small tractor, if a child or passenger is riding along.
- Be sure your tractor is equipped with a ROPS (or roll-over protective structure) and a seat belt. Whether on farm ground or a well-manicured lawn, slopes, drop-offs near streams or retaining walls, and other irregularities can spell disaster, especially for an untrained operator.
- Keep bystanders, children, and pets away from the area where a tractor is being operated. Not only are they distractions, but they could be hit by debris flung by the mower or tiller.
- Check your small and large tractors to be sure they are in top condition for safety. Then go over the safety guidelines each time a young person is going to operate the tractor – even a playful, “What did we talk about last week?” will keep those safety messages fresh in their minds. And, above all, be sure you are a prime example of safety for your young trainee.
Source: Adapted from an article by Dr. Sam Steel, Penn State University, through the National Farm Safety and Health Week Promotion of the National Safety Council, http://www.nsc.org/necas
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7. Be Alert On Country Roads
By Don Janssen, UNL Extension Educator
This is the time of year when driving in Nebraska can be both a joy to the senses and a risk to your life. Fall brings out the vibrant colors of the harvest season, but it also brings the steady stream of slow moving vehicles and farm equipment traffic.
Many traffic collisions involve farm vehicles in Nebraska each year. Many of these farm vehicle collisions occur during harvest season. October has nearly twice as many collisions as any other month. The most common time of day for collisions is between 4 and 8 p.m. Collisions with left turning farm vehicles and rear end collisions with farm vehicles top the list of accident scenarios.
To protect yourself and others, watch for the orange and red triangle that indicates a slow moving vehicle. The Slow Moving Vehicle (SMV) sign is required on the back of any farm vehicle or implement that travels the road at less than 25 miles per hour.
Be alert for farm traffic and slow down well in advance when you approach.
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8. Chimney Alert
By Don Janssen, UNL Extension Eduator
Chimney fires are a real and dangerous possibility when heating with wood. In 1982, wood-burning appliances accounted for more fires, more fire deaths, and greater property damage than any other kind of heating fuel -- about 140,000 fires, 250 deaths and $257 million in property damage.
These losses represented 20 percent of all residential fires in the U.S., 5 percent of all fire deaths, and 8 percent of estimated property damage. While most chimney fires are confined to the chimney itself, the intense heat sometimes ignites surrounding building materials and furnishings.
Owners of all chimneys are advised to:
- Be sure that the chimney and stovepipe were installed correctly in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations and local codes. If there is any doubt, a building inspector or fire official can determine whether the system is properly installed.
- Minimize creosote formation by using proper stove size and avoiding using low damper settings for extended periods of time.
- Have the chimney checked and cleaned routinely by a chimney "sweep" at least once a year.
- Inspect it frequently, as often as twice a month if necessary, and clean when a creosote buildup is noted.
- Always operate your appliance within the manufacturer's recommended temperature limits. Too low a temperature increases creosote buildup, and too high a temperature may eventually cause damage to the chimney and result in a fire.
- Frequently look for signs of structural failure.
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9. eXtension Launches Entrepreneurship Site
Do you have a small, micro, or home-based business and need information on things like where to host your web site, or if you need a shopping cart, how to get a tax ID number, or how to create your business image? Then visit the new eXtension Entrepreneurship web site at, http://www.extension.org/entrepreneurship.
The Entrepreneurship site features a frequently asked questions (FAQs) section, responding to the most common set of questions for new business owners. You can also submit questions that will be answered by land-grant university personnel with expertise in entrepreneurship. This site serves as a resource of unbiased information on a variety of topics for business owners.
Entrepreneurs And Their Communities, http://www.extension.org/entrepreneurship
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10. "Rangeland Management Strategies" Publication Available
The Sustainable Agriculture Network (SAN), the outreach arm of USDA's Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program, announces the release of its newest title, "Rangeland Management Strategies." This publication features innovative SARE-funded research on creating and sustaining a healthy range. Throughout, researchers and ranchers share goals and successes in winter and multi-species grazing, managing forage and other vegetation and protecting riparian areas.
Available at http://www.sare.org/publications/rangeland.htm
All SAN books and bulletins can be ordered online at http://www.sare.org/WebStore.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
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11. Acreage Insights: Rural Living Clinics Begin September 4
The University of Nebraska- Lincoln Extension presents a series of programs, entitled Acreage Insights- Rural Living Clinics, targeting acreage owners and specifically designed to provide them with the knowledge and skills to better manage their rural living environment.
This fall programs will be presented using a combination of traditional live speakers and programs utilizing distance technology.
| Dates |
Program |
| Sept. 4, 5 & 8 |
Tree Selection for Acreages- The selection and placement of trees that are well adapted to Nebraska’s challenging growing conditions are crucial to the creation of a pleasant acreage environment. Trees must be chosen to fit the existing site conditions, so that they thrive with few, if any, pest problems.
Trees must also perform their desired function, whether that is to provide shade, screen out unpleasant views, provide habitat for wildlife or increase the home’s energy efficiency. Presented by Justin Evertson, Assistant Director of the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum, this workshop will help you to learn how to choose the best tree species for shade, wind protection, wildlife and fun. |
| Oct. 6, 9 & 10 |
Fire On The Acreage- Fire has always been part of the rural landscape. If you choose to live within that rural landscape, it pays to know how to make your acreage as fire resistant as possible. Using prescribed fire as a tool is often another important part of rural living. Both of these "burning issues" will be discussed in "Fire on the Acreage." Presented by Casey McCoy, Wildland Fire Training Manager with the Nebraska Forest Service, this workshop will help you to protect your acreage. |
| Nov. 8, 10 & 15 |
Organic Production On The Acreage- Small scale production of organic vegetables, livestock and other crops is becoming more popular each year with acreage owners as well as farmers market producers. This program will be an overview of organic production. We'll be discussing vegetables, livestock and other crops, along with basic production, marketing opportunities and how to become certified as an organic producer. |
Pre-registration is required three working days before each program. Advanced registration is $10.00 per person, and $15.00 per person at the door. Program brochure
For more information visit the Acreage & Small Farm Insights website at http://acreage.unl.edu, or contact Don Janssen, (402) 441-7180, djanssen2@unl.edu or Sarah Browning, (402) 727-2775, sbrowning2@unl.edu.
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12. Nebraska Statewide Arboretum Plant Sale, September 8
Fall is a great time for planting! Rather than waiting for spring to do your planting, the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum (NSA) recommends fall planting and has a plant sale every fall to encourage it. The Plant Sale will run from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. in Lincoln.
Bob Henrickson says “ Late summer is a great time to plan and plant a garden. We have a great selection of new and hard-to-find plants that are not only easy to grow; these beauties will perform for years.”
For fall bloom, Henrickson likes to combine colorful perennials with ornamental grasses. “Shining bluestar (Amsonia illustris) is a robust, bushy plant with bright gold fall color that looks great with sand lovegrass, prairie dropseed or little bluestem. To complete the scene, you can use ‘Mongolian Gem’ allium, with its pinkish 2” balls, and showy black-eyed Susan.”
Other fall favorites are Korean reedgrass with feathery inflorescences that are tinted red-purple in September and ‘Wichita Mountains’ goldenrod with tall rods of bright gold in late summer.
For fall trees and shrubs, Henrickson recommends black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa), one of the many great Viburnums and a wide variety of oaks for any size garden.
Plant buyers can follow the signs from the north entrance to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln East Campus on 38th and Huntington/Leighton. A complete plant list is on the web at http://arboretum.unl.edu/plantsales or call the NSA office at 402/472-2971.
The Nebraska Statewide Arboretum is a horticultural organization with endeavors and initiatives in education, the arts, community development and the environment. A partnership between a private nonprofit membership organization and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the mission of the Arboretum is to “enhance the culture and beauty of Nebraska.”
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13. Nebraska Arborist Association- Arborist School, Begins September 13
Professional Training for Tree & Landscape Professionals! |
These educational training courses are designed to assist the horticulture professional to increase their knowledge in the area of arboriculture, and prepare for certification as a Nebraska Certified Arborist.
- Tree Identification Seminar, Thursday, September 13, 2007
(6.0 CEUs available)
- Pruning & Climbing School, Wednesday - Thursday, October 11-12, 2007
(14.0 CEUs available)
- Arborists Seminar, Wednesday - Friday, November 14 - 16, 2007
(16.0 CEUs available)
Location: All events will be held at the Eastern Nebraska 4-H Center in Gretna, NE. Please review the registration brochure for event details.
For more information contact:
Nebraska Arborists Association
Phone: (402) 476-3865
Website: www.nearborists.org
Email: naa@assocoffice.net
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14. "Strengthening Family Treasures" Daughter/Mother Camp, October 5-6
A retreat designed for 6th grade girls and their mothers (or grandmothers or other adult females), “Strengthening Family Treasures, Daughter/Mother Camp,” will be presented Friday, Oct. 5, 5 pm to Saturday, Oct. 6, 5 pm at the Eastern Nebraska 4-H Center. The retreat is sponsored by University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension.
This camp is 2 days and 1 night of fun, educational and confidence building activities. As middle school approaches, this is an opportunity to:
- Enhance effective communication including expressing emotions
- Learn more about body image and sexuality
- Explore techniques to handle peer pressure and stress
- Discuss the importance of individual family values
Dates: Friday Oct. 5, 5 p.m. to Saturday Oct. 6, 5 p.m.
Location: Eastern Nebraska 4-H Center, Gretna, NE
Cost: Early bird registration by Aug. 15 is $120 per pair. After Aug. 15, fee is $140 per pair. Cost includes meals, snacks, lodging in modern cabins, and program materials.
For more information or a registration form, call Maureen Burson at 402-441-7180 or Mary Nelson at 402-444-7804.
Brochure & Registration Form (pdf)
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15. Wild Fruit & Nut Jam, October 6
Experience the sights, tastes and smells of Wild Fruit and Nut Jam!
Visit the Kimmel Education & Research Center in Nebraska City from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, October 6. A variety of Nebraska vendors will be at the event selling baked goods, jams, jellies, nuts, decorative woody florals, jewelry, handmade wood furniture and high-quality turned wood items.
Children can participate in craft activities, while adults can enjoy one of several educational demonstrations scheduled throughout the day.
Admission is free and the event is open to the public. For more information, including directions and a schedule of educational demonstrations, visit the Nebraska Forest Service web site, www.nfs.unl.edu, or Kimmel Orchard, http://kimmelorchard.com/kerc.html.
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16. From Recipe to Reality Seminar, October 29
The Food Processing Center is offering a one-day seminar for all individuals interested in exploring the idea of starting a food manufacturing business.
Pre-registration is required and space is limited.
Contact Jill Gifford at (402)472-2819 or jgifford1@unl.edu for an information packet. For more information, visit the UNL Food Processing's Food Entrepreneur web site.
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17. 2007 Winery & Grape Growers Workshop, November 3
Our featured speaker is Kevin Ker, work-renowned viticulture specialist from Brock University and the Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute. He has assisted numerous grape growers in the areas of vine nutrition and health; site evaluations and assessments; vine hardiness, vineyard design, including GPS mapping; grape pest management and vineyard economics. He has also specialized in study of the Multi-colored Asian Lady Beetle.
On-line registration available, after September 15.
Date: November 3
Time: 8:00 a.m.
Location: Holiday Inn Downtown, Lincoln, NE
Cost: Members $69, Non-members $79, At Door $95
For more information contact:
Donna Michel
(402) 472-8747
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