LINCOLN, Neb — Wildfires burning in western and central Nebraska are part of a broader trend of increasing wildfire frequency and magnitude across the western United States, and the fallout can extend beyond burned pastures and damaged infrastructure. In addition to immediate losses to beef production and rural communities, wildfire smoke may pose risks to both human and animal health, leaving producers to watch calves closely in the weeks and months after a fire.

Wildfire smoke is produced when biomass burns, generating carbon dioxide and water vapor along with ash made up of inorganic compounds. Of particular concern is ultrafine particulate matter smaller than 2.5 micrometers, which can travel deep into lung alveoli and enter the bloodstream. In humans, these particles have been associated with inflammation and oxidative stress.

Research on wildfire smoke exposure in cattle is limited, but a study by Ranches and others (2026) involving a small group of Simmental × Jersey calves found increased concentrations of cortisol, an indicator of stress, after exposure to smoke from a wildfire about 10 miles from the study site. The same study reported elevated ceruloplasmin, a marker of systemic inflammation, following the wildfire event. Antibodies, including IgM and IgA, were also increased, suggesting activation of the immune system.

Physiological stress and inflammation can hurt cattle performance and immune function, potentially making calves more susceptible to respiratory pathogens. In bovine respiratory disease, opportunistic bacterial pathogens such as Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida, Histophilus somni and Mycoplasma bovis are normally present at low levels in healthy calves. But when viral infection or physiological stress suppresses immune function, these bacteria can multiply in the respiratory tract, leading to illness, reduced performance and, in some cases, death.

Because stressors such as wildfire smoke may increase disease susceptibility, producers are urged to monitor calves for early signs of illness. One approach is the D.A.R.T. method:

Depression: Watch posture and behavior. Droopy ears or head carriage, lethargy, more time spent lying down and separation from pasture mates can signal illness. Because cattle tend to hide sickness, subtle changes may be easier to spot after calves become accustomed to a person’s presence.

Appetite: Reduced appetite at the feed bunk or during nursing can indicate a health challenge. On pasture, reduced gut fill compared with herdmates can also suggest decreased intake.

Respiration: Healthy cattle typically take 10 to 30 breaths per minute. An increased respiratory rate, shallow breathing or abnormal sounds such as coughing or raspy breathing may indicate respiratory disease. Nasal discharge or excessive eye secretions may also accompany illness.

Temperature: Rectal temperatures of about 103.5 to 104 degrees or higher can indicate fever and warrant further attention.

Early detection and treatment can improve the likelihood of recovery and help reduce performance losses tied to respiratory disease. Producers are encouraged to remain vigilant in the weeks and months after smoke exposure to help limit adverse health outcomes.

Say hello to the belles of the ball (and Cinderellas).

On Sunday, March 15, the NCAA announced the sprawling 68-team field that will compete at arenas all over the country in the 2026 Men’s Basketball Tournament, aka March Madness.

This year’s No. 1 seeds are Cameron Boozer’s Duke Blue Devils, Thomas Haugh’s Florida Gators, Jaden Bradley’s Arizona Wildcats and Yaxel Lendeborg’s Michigan Wolverines.

They’ll be joined by buzzy upstarts like Mark Mitchell’s Missouri Tigers, Pryce Sandfort’s Nebraska Cornhuskers and Peter Suder’s Miami Ohio Redhawks who are battling in the “First Four.”

As for New York, it’ll be represented by not one, not two, not three but four (!) squads in the Big Dance. They are Zuby Ejiofor’s No. 5-ranked St. John’s Red Storm as well as Cruz Davis’ No. 13 Hofstra Pride along with as No. 16 seeds Gavin Doty’s Siena Saints and Jamal Fuller’s Long Island University Sharks.

Early-round games are scheduled to go down at:

University of Dayton Arena
Dayton, OH

Moda Center
Portland, OR

Paycom Center
Oklahoma City, OK

Bon Secours Wellness Arena
Greenville, SC

KeyBank Center
Buffalo, NY

Other first- and second-round contests are scheduled for Philadelphia, Tampa, St. Louis and San Diego before the games relocate for the Sweet 16.

If you’d like to root on the squad of your choosing, see future NBA stars and/or witness an earth-shattering bracket-busting upset, last-minute tickets are available for all 67 games leading up to the April 6 Championship at Indianapolis’ Lucas Oil Stadium.

At the time of publication, the lowest price we could find for any pair of contests was $17 including fees on StubHub.

Multi-game session passes for the first two rounds that get you into six games over three days start at $343 including fees (that’s for Philadelphia).

Not bad considering that The Post’s Ryan Dunleavy dubbed this year’s crop as “Arguably the greatest — and deepest — freshman class in the sport’s history.”

Want to catch a game or three?

We’re here to help, hardwood fanatics.

Our team has everything you need to know and more about the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament below.

NCAA Men’s Basketball March Madness tickets 2025

A complete breakdown of all upcoming games separated by venues — including game dates, teams and ticket prices — can be found here:

University of Dayton Arena in Dayton, OH

Moda Center in Portland, OR

Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, SC

Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, OK

KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY

Viejas Arena in San Diego, CA

Enterprise Center in St. Louis, MO

Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, FL

Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, PA

Final Four tickets 2026

The Big Dance will come to a close this year in Indianapolis.

On Saturday, April 4, the Final Four goes down at the Lucas Oil Stadium, aka the home of the Indianapolis Colts.

Two days later, March Madness ’26 wraps things up with the National Championship game at the same venue on Monday, April 6.

You can find tickets for all three high-stakes games here.

Sweet 16 tickets 2026

Before the playoff picture fully sorts itself out, the Sweet 16 and Elite 8 will take place in four major cities.

To make sure you’re in the loop, here’s how to grab tickets for all sessions at each of the four venues hosting the middle of the tourney.