LINCOLN, Neb. — As many are recovering from the worst wildfire disaster in Nebraska’s history, it is awe inspiring to witness the ways people from the across the state, country, and the globe are banding together and showing their support for producers in the Beef State. The Nebraska Cattlemen Disaster Relief Fund has received more than $2.2 million from more than 2,570 donors across Nebraska, 48 states and five countries. To every individual, family, business and organization that gave — thank you. Your support is helping Nebraska’s beef cattle producers recover, rebuild, and move forward after the devastating wildfires.

APPLYING FOR RELIEF

The NCDRF will close for donations and relief applications on Tuesday, Sep. 1, 2026. One hundred percent of the donations will be distributed to impacted producers and membership in Nebraska Cattlemen is not required for applicants to receive relief. Once the fund is closed, applications will be reviewed by a committee convened by the NCDRF and eligibility of expenses will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Funds are not distributed until the applications period closes and all applications are reviewed.

Funds will only be distributed to producers who experienced property loss or damage in areas where a fire was reported through the Nebraska Emergency Management Association Watch Center. As of July 28, 2026, the following counties have been reported through the NEMA Watch Center:

• Arthur County (Morrill, Vasa fires)
• Blain County (Road 203 Fire)
• Buffalo County (Elm Creek & Odessa fires)
• Cherry County (Ashby, Anderson Bridge fires)
• Custer County (Pressey Fire)
• Dawes County (Ash Pole, Clay Creek fires)
• Dawson County (Cottonwood Fire)
• Fillmore County
• Frontier County (Cottonwood Fire)
• Gage County
• Garden County (Morrill, Minor fires)
• Grant County (Ashby, Minor fires)
• Holt County (Peterson Fire)
• Jefferson Co
• Keith County (Morrill Fire)
• Lincoln County
• McPherson County (Daly Fire)
• Morrill County (Morrill Fire)
• Nemaha County (Peru Fire)
• Richardson County
• Saline County
• Seward County
• Sheridan County (Ashby Fire)
• Sioux County (South Fork, Log Road fires)
• Thomas County (Road 203 Fire)

Applicants may submit documentation for agriculture-related expenses not paid for by insurance or other governmental sources related to fencing, pens, agricultural structure repair, feed, livestock removal, or other necessary agricultural-related costs directly related to rebuilding from the natural disaster. Applicants must demonstrate expenses and losses incurred were related to agriculture production and directly caused by recent wildfires in the state of Nebraska.

Applications must be completed and have all required documentation to be considered. Documentation can include copies of receipts for purchases of supplies, invoices for repairs, photos of the damage and more. Please include losses of livestock, fence — miles or feet, land damage — specify grazing, crop, or haying loss, veterinary costs, feed costs/feed loss, and more in the description of impacts and loss to operation. If you need additional space to list damages, please include your additional list with the application.

For any questions, please contact the Nebraska Cattlemen office at (402) 475-2333 or email disasterrelief@necattlemen.org.

This Nebraska Recovery Roundup Update is brought to you by Nebraska Extension and the Center for Agricultural Profitability to provide timely information for producers and communities recovering from wildfire. Each installment highlights available resources and practical steps to support recovery. Follow the series and find wildfire recovery resources on the Center for Agricultural Profitability’s website, https://cap.unl.edu/recovery.

Nebraska volleyball’s broadcasting schedule revealed four additional matches that have been selected for TV broadcasts. The four matches will be televised on Nebraska Public Media (NPM).

NPM has been granted the rights to televise the Red-White Scrimmage on Aug. 16, which is to be held at Pinnacle Bank Arena. NPM will also televise three regular-season matches: Georgia Tech (Sept. 12), Rutgers (Sept. 25) and Illinois (Nov. 12).

The Huskers’ clash with Georgia Tech is part of a four-team tournament in Lincoln that also includes New Mexico and Baylor. The showdown with Rutgers kicks off the Big Ten portion of Nebraska’s season. Finally, the matchup against Illinois begins the Huskers’ final weekend of regular-season action before the Big Ten tournament. 

All matches that are televised on Nebraska Public Media will also be streamed on B1G+. Start time for the Red-White Scrimmage on Aug. 16 is set for 3 p.m. CT.

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Nebraska is well on its way to making the 2027 football recruiting class something special. Five-star quarterback Trae Taylor leads the Huskers’ class, and other blue-chip prospects like Tory Pittman and Khalil Taylor are in the fold. However, Nebraska hasn’t stopped trying to reel in five-star tight end Ahmad Hudson, who is committed to LSU but has hinted he could flip to Nebraska.

Could Nebraska Flip the No. 1 Tight End In 2027?

Nebraska has been pursuing Hudson for some time now. Hudson is the No. 1 TE in the 2027 recruiting class and would be an amazing addition to an already elite class. Hudson hasn’t shut down his recruitment, and he hasn’t exactly said he is definitely going to LSU.

“The program you wouldn’t expect to be doing their job to try and get me to come there, is doing what they need to do,” Hudson told Rivals/On3 earlier this week. “The program you most expect it from is not doing what they need to do.” In Hudson’s view, the program that’s delivering is Nebraska, and LSU is coming up short.

The Tigers and Lane Kiffin, the new head coach at LSU, would be foolish to let Nebraska pull ahead in the Louisiana native’s recruitment. Especially considering that Hudson is a two-sport athlete and a five-star recruit in basketball as well. Nebraska would love to have such an elite recruit in two sports.

Notably, Nebraska has had some good tight ends over the last few seasons, with Thomas Fidone and Nate Boerkircher being drafted (although Boerkircher transferred to Texas A&M after playing the majority of his career in Lincoln). Nebraska currently has several talented tight ends but would love to add Ahmad Hudson to the group.

Nebraska has something big on LSU

Nebraska may be able to get Hudson to flip for another reason — basketball. Hudson wants to play both sports, and Nebraska is coming off a Sweet Sixteen appearance in the NCAA Tournament, while LSU missed the postseason with a 15-17 record. Coach Fred Hoiberg will enter the 2026-27 season with a promising team that should start the year ranked in the top 25.

In football, however, LSU does have recent history on its side (although both teams were 7-6 in 2025). Still, Hudson might prefer what Nebraska has to offer in both sports. But if Nebraska truly wants to flip Hudson, the Huskers need to show up and play really good football in 2026.

For now, Hudson remains committed to the Bayou Bengals. However, neither Matt Rhule nor Fred Hoiberg has given up on him. It makes sense for the Huskers to remain relentless in their pursuit of Hudson, who could be a massive part of two sports in Lincoln.

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