Matt Stockton, Agricultural Economist at the West Central Research and Extension Center will discuss economic factors producers should consider as they make management decisions due to drought conditions. Registration is required to view the free webinars. To register got to http://go.unl.edu/uwk to register.

A University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension conference/webinar on sustainable use of crop residues for cow/calf and yearling operations will be June 10 from 10 am to 3:00 pm (CDT).

There are three ways to participate:

-- The conference will be at both the Ag Research and Development Center near Mead and at the West Central Research and Extension Center in North Platte.

-- The conference also will be broadcast live via the internet. The webinar may be viewed at https://connect.unl.edu/crop/ and viewers may make comments and ask questions via chat box. Some presenters will be speaking from the ARDC and others from WCREC but both locations will be linked via the internet so audiences at both locations and online can interact with all speakers.

The target audience includes forage-based beef producers, affiliated industries, government agencies and crop producers.

Topics include:

-- Residue use and subsequent crop production

-- Grazing cornstalks: performance, stocking rate, and supplementation

-- Increasing quality and palatability of residue with by-products

-- Storing by-products mixed with residues

-- Ammoniating cornstalks and wheat straw

-- Alkaline treatment of cornstalks and wheat straw

-- Confinement and limit feeding cows and pairs

-- Annual forages, cover crops/double crop options

-- Market outlook, feed costs, break evens and drought

-- Producer panel

Newly developed apps and electronic decision support tools will be demonstrated.

A highlight of the conference will be the producer panel. There will be separate panels at both locations focusing on regionally specific issues.

Web participants may view either producer panel. There also will be pre-recorded demonstrations of ammoniation and alkaline treatment of crop residues for viewing.

If attending in person there is a $10 registration fee to cover lunch.

Please RSVP by June 6 to Lindsay Chichester at 402-624-8007, lindsay.chichester@unl.edu if attending in Mead or Aaron Stalker at 308-696-6707, aaron.stalker@unl.edu if attending in North Platte.

There is no charge to view the webinar.

Soybean Management Field Days Aug. 13-16, 2013 focuses on staying competitive in a global marketplace, increasing profits and meeting the world's growing food and energy needs starting right here in Nebraska.

The field days are sponsored by the Nebraska Soybean Board in partnership with UNL Extension in the university's Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources and are funded through checkoff dollars. The efforts of the checkoff are directed by the United Soybean Board promoting progress powered by U.S. farmers.

The field days will offer producers unbiased and research-based information to improve their soybean profitability.

The event consists of four stops across the state, each with replicated research/ demonstration plots, lunch and time for questions. Producers can obtain ideas and insight about the challenges they face in producing a quality crop at a profitable price in today's global economy.

By participating in the Soybean Management Field Days, producers will see their checkoff dollars at work bringing leading technology and ideas to producers.

Presenters include university specialists, educators and industry consultants.

Agronomists, plant disease, and insect specialists will be available to address production-related questions. Participants can bring unknown crop problems for complimentary identification.

The field days begin with 9 a.m. registration and conclude at 2:30 p.m. Free registration is available the day of the event. Locations TBA.