The new website is now available, according to Natalie Jones, IANR Communications Following historic wildfires that have burned nearly one million acres of Nebraska grazing lands this spring, the University of Nebraska–Lincoln has launched a new online hub that integrates science, mapping and field-based documentation in one place ( https://wildfire.unl.edu ). The resource — the first of its kind focused on working grasslands — is designed to track and monitor long-term rec

R-CALF USA's Statement on Death Tax Changes Affecting Family Ranches As Americans marked Tax Day, R-CALF USA was pointing to recent estate tax relief as a step forward while reaffirming its support for further reform of the federal estate tax, commonly referred to as the “death tax.” In legislation passed in 2025, known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, Congress, with support from the administration, included provisions that increased the estate tax exemption to $15 million

Nebraska Farm Bureau Disaster Relief Fund Opens Applications for Assistance to Help Farmers and Ranchers The Nebraska Farm Bureau (NEFB) Disaster Relief Fund is now accepting applications to assist farm and ranch families impacted by the devastating spring wildfires. Recently, major wildfires ignited across western and central Nebraska, collectively burning nearly a million acres and causing widespread damage to pastureland, fencing, and infrastructure. The scale of destructi

Yearling heifers graze on a Sandhills meadow in Nebraska. (Photo: Troy Walz | Nebraska Extension) The program, Nebraska Cattle Health Outlook: New World screwworm update, scours prevention and diagnostics, and UNL research on bovine pinkeye , will be held April 16 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Mountain Time (7 to 8:30 p.m. Central Time) via Zoom. The webinar is designed for Nebraska beef producers and allied industry professionals seeking timely, research-based information on late-sp

Statewide tractor and equipment safety courses will be offered at 12 locations throughout Nebraska in May and June. The Central States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health (CS-CASH) at the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Public Health, in partnership with Nebraska Extension, has announced the dates for its annual tractor and equipment safety training courses. The training will be offered at 12 locations across Nebraska throughout May and June. “Tractor

USDA assistance programs for producers and landowners affected by recent wildfires in Nebraska will be covered during a webinar on April 15. Photo by Nebraska Forest Service Nebraska producers and landowners affected by recent wildfires can learn more about federal disaster assistance and recovery options during an upcoming webinar hosted by the Center for Agricultural Profitability at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The webinar, “Wildfire Recovery Programs: USDA Resour

The bill aims to prevent China from the purchase of strategic US ag land. Farms and ranches are the foundation of the Good Life in Nebraska. Nebraskans feed the country and fuel the world. Our farmers and ranchers keep America healthy and safe with a secure, reliable food supply. But Communist China can threaten this. Communist China has pursued a policy of strategically buying ag land. Between 2010 and 2021, Chinese ownership of American agricultural land grew nearly 30

State Senator Tanya Storer issued a release on the brand inspection bill in the unicameral. Senator Barry DeKay’s Legislative Bill 1187, known as the “brand bill,” advanced successfully through first-round debate on the floor of the Nebraska Legislature after a compromise amendment preserved the integrity of the state’s livestock brand inspection system. The committee amendment (AM 2886) initially proposed exemptions for certain industry segments from inspections and audits

Nebraska Extension will host a webinar on April 16 discussing cattle health. Photo by Chabella Guzman The Nebraska Extension will host a statewide webinar, “Nebraska Cattle Health Outlook: New World screwworm update, Scours prevention and diagnostics, and UNL research on bovine pinkeye” on Thursday, April 16, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. MT. The program is designed for Nebraska beef producers and allied industry professionals seeking timely information on late-spring herd health risks

Call the following contact list by April 12 for more information. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is offering pastures and hay tracts on some of its properties to landowners affected by the recent wildfires. Game and Parks manages land for wildlife habitat management and recreation. Grazing is a management tool that can positively affect plant succession and promotes quality wildlife habitat. Some wildlife management areas and parklands are being offered for grazing an

Bill Bullard with Sec. Rollins. Courtesy RCALF USA R-CALF USA leadership traveled to Washington, D.C., last week for a series of meetings and events with administration officials and members of Congress. During its time in Washington, R-CALF USA met with administration officials and congressional offices to discuss issues impacting U.S. cattle producers, including mandatory country-of-origin labeling, competition in cattle markets, beef checkoff reform and trade policy. The

Ricketts Discusses Recent Wildfires in Nebraska in his weekly column The wildfires across Western Nebraska are the worst since we became a state. They are the ninth-worst in all of American history. They have burned over 900,000 acres. Hundreds evacuated and one Nebraskan was tragically killed. We pray for her family. Over 30,000 cattle are displaced. But when we face disaster, Nebraskans stick together. We will rebuild together. We will use all tools available. We

The PLOT Act is the Property Location Oversight and Transparency Act in the Senate introduced by Pete Ricketts (R-NE) Yesterday, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) introduced the Property Location Oversight and Transparency (PLOT) Act in the Senate. The bill strengthens U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) foreign land ownership reporting system by requiring the USDA to publish geospatial data on foreign agriculture land acquisitions and lowering the foreign ownership repo

RCALF USA had good things to day about the action today. Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture launched a national awareness campaign promoting the voluntary “Product of USA” label, encouraging use of its updated standard that took effect earlier this year. Under the revised definition, the label applies only to beef derived from animals that were born, raised, slaughtered and processed entirely in the United States. R-CALF USA emphasized that while the program remains vo

Sen Ricketts joined other officials in Ogallala. Today, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) joined Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, Governor Jim Pillen, Senator Deb Fischer, Representative Adrian Smith, and other officials in meeting with farmers and ranchers in Ogallala. Senator Ricketts released the following statement after witnessing the fire damage and leading a community briefing on recovery resources. “When we face disasters, Nebraskans stick together. I want to

Secretary Brooke Rollins U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins met Monday with firefighters, ranchers and state leaders in western Nebraska, emphasizing federal support and rapid response as communities recover from devastating wildfires. Joined by Gov. Jim Pillen and members of Nebraska’s congressional delegation, Rollins described the “vastness” of the fires. The secretary described hearing “testimonies of resilience and God’s grace” from ranchers who have lost grazing

Today, USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) published in the Federal Register a proposal to delay the effective date of the Poultry Grower Payment Systems and Capital Improvement Systems Rule, which was finalized on January 16, 2025, and is currently scheduled to become effective on July 1, 2026. The rule was promulgated under the authority of the Packers and Stockyards Act. The AMS proposed rule would delay implementation of the rule for 18 months, until December 31,

Stay tuned to KVSH Radio for new information Right after the Anderson Bridge fire was pretty much contained, Mark Johnson contacted KVSH Radio about helping to find hay for three families in the Niobrara River Vaelly that lost large amounts of hay. John Johnson accepted the job of organizing and KVSH started announcing the plan. Wednesday, KVSH News contacted Mr. Johnson who is coordinating the effort to replace hay and fenceposts for those families who suffered losses in the

After exposure to wildfire smoke, vigilance will help calves stay healthy. Photo by Chabella Guzman By Brock Ortner, UNL Extension Educator Wildfires occurring in western and central Nebraska mirror a broader trend of increasing wildfire frequency and magnitude across the western United States. While the immediate impacts of wildfire are devastating to beef production and rural communities, the effects of wildfire smoke may also pose risks to both human and animal health. In

Valentine FFA would like to invite everyone to the annual Hired Hand Auction and silent auction that will be held Thursday, March 19th at the Cherry County Fairgrounds. There will be a free supper provided by the FFA, starting at 6:00 p.m., with the auction to follow. The silent auction will include several gift baskets put together by local businesses and senior FFA members, along with items made in the shop classes. This annual fundraiser helps fund local FFA activities, c