Nebraska

Heat, drought force Nebraska farmers to balance nitrogen more closely

Published

2 years ago

October 8, 2022

Heat, drought force Nebraska farmers to balance nitrogen more closely

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – Each farmer in Nebraska is aware of there’s not a drop of water to spare. So when you end up with somewhat leftover nitrogen after shedding corn crop attributable to local weather challenges, do the mathematics and take it.

“It is rather necessary on these fields which have drought-stressed yields to do soil samples so you know the way a lot nitrogen is on the market,” Chapman corn and soybean farmer Gary Greving mentioned. “So when you’re gonna placed on 200 items of nitrogen to get 200 bushels, however you’ve obtained 100 items [of nitrogen remaining] on the market already then simply put the hundred on and go from there.”

In these circumstances, Greving says farmers may truly get monetary savings by shopping for much less nitrogen, which comes at a premium value attributable to lingering provide chain points if winter climate doesn’t wash away the excess.

“With our nitrogen administration techniques on the Central Platte NRD we’re required to [soil test] and pattern our water,” Greving mentioned. “That’s going to be crucial to handle that concern out within the fields and much more so within the fields that have been dry land, solely rain-fed, which it was not rain-fed this 12 months…It’s nonetheless a subject of debate about our irrigated floor each fall and each spring on what we will placed on to maximise our yield with the minimal quantity of nitrogen.”

Brian Johnson’s household has been farming in Wayne County for 150 years. Now they develop primarily corn, soybeans, and alfalfa. His grandfather’s approach of doing issues doesn’t maintain water in these instances. It’s all about know-how and realizing what every part of cropland can deal with, whereas additionally adapting every year to adjustments.

“Simply planning dates have been large,” Johnson mentioned. “We’ve obtained some [fields] now which might be over 150, we planted some two weeks later, we’re solely doing 70. That’s the identical variety of corn, the whole lot, identical discipline. The warmth, the drought, the whole lot.”

Nebraska Extension Water and Crops Educator Jeremy Milander assist farmers like Johnson be extra environment friendly. Milander works on the Haskell Agricultural Laboratory and farm in Harmony, the place he was in a position to reveal a kind of testing beneficial within the fall. Stalk testing is finished earlier than corn is turned to feed to guarantee the nitrogen ranges aren’t too excessive for livestock to eat.

“You should utilize that together with quite a lot of different info as effectively to gauge how efficient your nitrogen administration is,” Milander mentioned.

He additionally reminds us that the environment friendly use of nitrogen isn’t nearly crop yields and earnings. It’s additionally about maintaining nitrogen ranges in groundwater down, to maintain neighborhood water secure as effectively.

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Nebraska

Jack Hoffman, who captured hearts around Nebraska football, dies of brain cancer

Published

6 hours ago

January 15, 2025

Press Room

Jack Hoffman, who captured hearts around Nebraska football, dies of brain cancer

Jack Hoffman, who ran to fame at age 7 by scoring a touchdown in the 2013 Nebraska spring football game and raised millions to fight childhood cancer, has died after a battle with brain cancer, according to Kylie Dockter, executive director of the foundation named for him.

Hoffman was 19. He was originally diagnosed with brain cancer in 2011 at the age of 5. His fight against the disease inspired the rise of the Team Jack Foundation, which has contributed more than $12 million to support childhood brain cancer research.

According to a December post on the website CaringBridge by Jack’s mother, Brianna Hoffman, recent scans showed the growth of a tumor in Jack’s brain and new tumors in other areas of his body.

She said at the time the family was “praying for a miracle.”

Hoffman underwent multiple rounds of chemotherapy last year after enrolling as a freshman in the fall at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. He graduated from West Holt High in Atkinson, Neb., last year and earned a full college scholarship from the Kearney Law Opportunities Program — designed to recruit aspiring law students from rural Nebraska communities.

After his initial cancer diagnosis, Hoffman formed a friendship with Rex Burkhead, a Nebraska running back from 2009 to 2012. Weeks before Burkhead was drafted into the NFL, Jack received an invite to the Huskers’ spring game from coach Bo Pelini.

Hoffman took a handoff from quarterback Taylor Martinez in the fourth quarter and ran 69 yards for a touchdown in front of a crowd of more than 60,000 fans at Memorial Stadium.

The moment earned an ESPY for Hoffman and a meeting with President Barack Obama. Later in 2013, Hoffman served as the grand marshal of Nebraska’s homecoming parade.

He maintained a bond with Burkhead, who played 10 seasons in the NFL. Burkhead served as a driving force for the Team Jack Foundation and was a fixture at Team Jack events.

“I don’t think we ever envisioned this,” Burkhead said in 2018.

The Team Jack Gala annually raises money and draws attention to the fight against pediatric brain cancer. The 2025 event is set for Feb. 22, with Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins to serve as the keynote speaker.

Jack’s father, Andy Hoffman, instrumental in the growth of the Team Jack Foundation, preceded Jack in death. Andy Hoffman died of brain cancer in 2021.

(Photo of Rex Burkhead and Jack Hoffman: Mitch Sherman / The Athletic)

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Nebraska

Gov. Pillen appoints Judge Bergevin to Nebraska Supreme Court

Published

14 hours ago

January 15, 2025

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Gov. Pillen appoints Judge Bergevin to Nebraska Supreme Court

Subhead

Bergevin was one of 3 candidates to be interviewed here

Body

Gov. Jim Pillen has announced his appointment of the Honorable Jason M. Bergevin of Columbus as an associate justice to the Nebraska Supreme Court representing the Fifth Judicial District. The announcement was made on Jan. 2.
“Judge Bergevin is a dedicated jurist with extensive experience as an attorney and most recently as a district judge representing the Fifth Judicial District,” said Gov. Pillen. “I have great confidence in Judge Bergevin’s abilities, and I know he has deep respect and integrity when it comes to matters of the court. I am pleased to elevate him to this role on Nebraska’s Supreme Court.”
“I am honored to be chosen as the next judge of the Nebraska Supreme Court from the Fifth Judicial District,” said Justice Bergevin. “Three highly qualified applicants stepped forward for this position. I appreciate Governor Pillen’s confidence in me. I will work hard to continue serving the Nebraska Judicial Branch and the people of our state.”
Bergevin was the second of three candidates for the position to be interviewed by the Judicial Nominating Commission on Dec. 12 in the 5th District courtroom on the third floor of the Hamilton County Courthouse. Fourteen members of the commission heard presentations and asked questions of Judge Bergevin, as well as David Bargen of Adams and Lawrence Welch, Jr. of Plattsmouth, the other two candidates.
In his opening remarks to the commission, Bergevin mentioned his prior experience as a practicing attorney and as a Judge Advocate General officer in the U.S. Air Force.
“I have been in the battle and I would be a supreme court justice who can remember what it was like to be a litigator,” he added.
In answer to a question from a member of the panel regarding how he would separate his personal views from judicial decisions, Bergevin said he believes a judge should regularly be unhappy with the result of a case because it meant the law was being followed, even though it went against his own personal preferences.
In addition to his recent role as district judge (2022), Bergevin also oversaw the opening of one of the state’s newest problem-solving courts in Platte County last summer. He was an assistant attorney general in the Nebraska Attorney General’s office for seven years where he worked with county attorneys in the prosecution of complex cases, was legal advisor to multiple state agencies and reviewed agency regulations. Bergevin also held multiple positions in the U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate General’s Corps up until 2022 and has prior experience in both the Lancaster County Attorney’s office and the Weld County District Attorney’s office in Greeley, Colo.
Bergevin holds a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln (UNL) and earned his juris doctor from Western New England University School of Law in Massachusetts.
The Fifth Judicial District for the Nebraska Supreme Court consists of Hamilton and 24 other counties in this part of Nebraska. The vacancy was due to Judge Jeffrey Funke’s appointment as chief justice of the Nebraska Supreme Court.

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Nebraska

Couple who crashed due to object on rural Nebraska highway waits for results of sheriff’s investigation

Published

23 hours ago

January 15, 2025

Press Room

Couple who crashed due to object on rural Nebraska highway waits for results of sheriff’s investigation

BENNINGTON, Neb. (WOWT) – A Nebraska couple is still waiting for answers from investigators and their insurance company.

It’s been more than a month since several drivers reported large objects on a busy Douglas County highway. Sheriff’s deputies continue to investigate the incidents as intentional, but so far, no arrests have been made.

After swerving to avoid what appeared to be a TV in the highway and then crashing down into a ravine, Garrison and Skylar Beach escaped with their lives.

But six weeks later, life has been stressful.

“It isn’t a harmless thing that happened,” Garrison said. “It’s had a huge impact on us financially and in other aspects.”

The couple believes their insurance provider is waiting on the outcome of the sheriff’s investigation for a final settlement, but in the meantime, the Beaches’ out-of-pocket costs are estimated at $6,500, including a $1,500 deductible and the price of a used car they had to buy, which is cost more than the replacement value of the crashed Toyota Camry.

On top of all that, the couple says they have an expense they didn’t expect. They received a bill from the Nebraska Department of Transportation for repairs to the guardrail cable they wrecked while trying to avoid the object in the middle of the road.

“It’s the cherry on top, I guess,” Skylar Beach said. “After all this, we got the bill for the guardrail, but hopefully our insurance can help us out with that.”

Douglas County Sheriff’s Captain Eric Sellers told First Alert 6 last month that several incidents of objects sitting on Highway 36 near Bennington appear intentional to have been intentionally placed there.

“We have a subject of interest we’re looking at now in the case,” Capt. Sellers said in December.

A 22-year-old Bennington man has been questioned, but without a confession, investigators must prove he intentionally put the objects in the roadway.

“I feel like the responsible part should have to make it right for people, especially like us, where it’s putting us out thousands of dollars,” Garrison Beach said.

The Beaches are a single-income couple right now as Garrison is a full-time student studying to be a physician’s assistant.

“We just wish whoever did this will come forward and just make it right for us, because we’re at a point in our lives where this has really effected us financially,” Skylar said.

Capt. Sellers says the investigation into the highway objects is ongoing and no more similar incidents have been reported. As for the guardrail, the district engineer says that’s standard procedure but most times a driver’s insurance will cover the bill.

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