As planning decisions are being made for the 2009 growing season, irrigated corn growers can participate in workshops focusing on the fundamentals.

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension is offering a series of agriculture water management and irrigation system management programs at several locations across Nebraska in February.

The Irrigation and Energy Conservation Workshops for Corn Growers are sponsored by the Nebraska Corn Board and the Nebraska Corn Growers Association in partnership with UNL Extension.

Registration begins at 9 a.m. followed by the program from 9:20 a.m.-4 p.m.

Dates and locations include:

Feb. 17, Curtis Community Center, Curtis
Feb. 18, American Legion Club, Alliance
Feb. 19, Valley County Ag Complex, Ord
Feb. 20, Wunderlich's, Columbus

By participating in the workshop, irrigated corn growers will learn how to apply less water and maximize the value of irrigation water, reduce irrigation pumping costs, further protect and enhance the environment, be aware of new technological advances in water management and use information relative to their farming operation that when implemented will enhance profitability.

Topics include: Nebraska Irrigation B Past Trends and Future Challenges, Managing Nitrogen to Protect Water Quality, Estimating Pumping Plant Energy Costs, Irrigation Basics and Soil Physical Properties, Soil Water Monitoring, Effect of Crop Residues on Soil Water Evaporation Loss, System Net Capacities in Nebraska and In-Season Water Management.

UNL Extension faculty will present the information.

The complementary registration fee is provided in part through funding by the Nebraska Corn Board and the Nebraska Corn Growers Association. Certified Crop Advisor credits are pending.
Limited seating is available. Growers are encouraged to register by Feb. 13, by contacting the Extension offices in the following counties: Box Butte (308) 762-5616, Frontier (308) 367-4424, Platte (402) 563-4901 or Valley (308) 728-5071.

Download the flyer at http://ardc.unl.edu/2009IrrigationWorkshop2.pdf.

UNL Extension is in the university's Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Fulfills Guardian/Conservator education requirements set by the Nebraska Probate Code. Classes are approved by Nebraska Supreme Court. University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension offers quarterly Guardian/Conservator education classes in all Judicial Districts other than Douglas County*. Monthly classes are offered in Lancaster County. This class provides participants with detailed information in serving as Guardian or Conservator for others. Most classes are co-taught by a volunteer attorney through the Nebraska State Bar Association who answers general legal questions. Please call local contact person at least two days ahead of date of training. Registration fee is $15 cash/check payable to University of Nebraska-Lincoln at the class.

How a beef operation is managed can make a significant difference in how profitable it is.  With so many variables to consider, such as feed and fuel costs and up-and-down markets – managing profitability and maintaining a healthy bottom line can present an ongoing challenge.

UNL Extension will offer beef profitability workshops in January and February to help producers meet these challenges.

The sessions will be held at two different locations on each workshop date.  Afternoon sessions will be held at the Washington County Extension Office, 597 Grant St., Blair, NE.  Afternoon workshops run from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. with a 12:30 p.m. registration.

Evening sessions will be held at the Saunders County Extension Office at UNL's Agricultural Research Center's August N. Christenson Research and Education Building near Mead, NE.  The workshops run from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. with a 6:30 p.m. registration.

The first workshop will be held on January 26.  Dr. Rick Rasby, UNL Beef Specialist will cover Cow-Calf Producer Profit Tips.  Topics will include:  cow/calf management systems to attack feed costs; testing forages for quality can save dollars and makes “cents” when designing feeding programs; understanding a forage analysis and purchasing protein supplements after comparing options on a cost per pound of protein basis.

On February 17, Dr. Darrell Mark, UNL Livestock Marketing Specialist  will present “The Economics of Calf Finishing & Backgrounding Systems:  Breakevens, Outlook, and Co-Product Feeding”.  Topics include:  calculating breakeven and its use in decision making; backgrounding and yearling systems; calf feeding versus background and yearling finishing systems; and the economics of feeding and storing ethanol co-products.

Pre-registration is encouraged by phone, fax, e-mail or mail 1 week in advance – discounts apply.  Cost is $10 for registrations received one week in advance (by Jan. 20 for the first session and by Febr. 10 for the second workshop). After that, the fee is $15.

Fees include reference materials and refreshments. Make checks payable to:  UNL Extension in Saunders County and mail to 1071 County Road G, Room B, Ithaca, NE  68033-2234.

For more information or to register, contact UNL Extension Educator, Sara Ellicott at (402) 624-8030, (800) 529-8030, e-mail sellicott2@unl.edu or fax (402)624-8010. Information also is available online at http://ardc.unl.edu/2008BeefProfitability.pdf.

The workshops are sponsored by UNL Extension in Douglas/Sarpy, Saunders, and Washington Counties.  UNL Extension is in the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources.