POSTAL CUSTOMER
PRSRT STD U.S. Postage Paid Permit #36 OMAHA, NE
April 29, 2010 Issue 233-14-9
Feedlot Research Progresses in Western Nebraska By Karla H. Jenkins, Cow/Calf Range Management Specialist, and Ivan Rush, Professor Emeriti, Retired Livestock Specialist The beginning of finishing research Finishing studies conducted in the late 1950s and early 1960s in the Nebraska Panhandle consisted of diets containing greater than 20 per-
cent roughage, and resulted in gains ranging from less than 2 pounds per day to almost 3 pounds per day. Feed efficiency averaged around 7.5 to 8 pounds of feed per pound of gain. Today our roughage levels are between 7 and 10 percent, our gains over 4 pounds per day and efficiency between 5 and 6 pounds of feed per pound of gain. Our carcasses are heavier and better quality. Sixty years of research have led to the
development of the commercial cattle feeding industry. That industry is now responsible for a major portion of the economy of the Great Plains. Humble Beginnings When the Scotts Bluff Experiment Substation was located east of Mitchell, Walt Woods, Don Clanton, Continued on page 22
Special Features Weather Al Dutcher Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Country News Safe Grilling and Picnics. . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 House Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Quilt Pattern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
The Lighter Side Lee Pitts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Markets Grains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Livestock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Showpig Shootout ................................. 7 Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9
Government Report Government Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Ag Management LEAD Program Seeking Applicants The Nebraska LEAD Group 30 program is seeking fellowship applications . . . . . . 12
District FFA District 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 District 11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-21
Livestock News Heartland Cattle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Final Version of CNPPID on Internet By Lori Potter, The Kearney Hub The final version of a 20-minute Nebraska water video that has stirred controversy between natural resources districts and a surface water irrigation is posted on the Internet (www.cnppid.com). DVDs were mailed today to six NRDs that had seen an earlier version. Only time will tell if the final version of Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District's "Inside Nebraska Water" will get more positive reviews than the nearly completed video shown to NRD officials over the past few weeks.
It was a topic at the last two Central Platte NRD board meetings in Grand Island. On March 25, the video received negative comments from the two board members, Dick Mercer of Kearney and Ladd Reeves of Archer, who had seen it earlier that day. They said a big part of the video's message was that NRDs aren't doing a good job of managing groundwater. A week later, CNPPID Public Relations Manager Tim Anderson of Holdrege showed the video at the CPNRD office to a majority of board
Farmer, Ranchers Test Water Quality Farmers and ranchers, with test kits in hand, checked water quality on April 19 in nearby rivers and streams . . . . . . . . . . 24
Schedule of Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27-31
For daily agriculture news, updates and local happenings, visit the Heartland Express website at www.myfarmandranch.com
Continued on page 12
MARKET GLANCE
The latest in ag news & reports
Livestock and Products, Weekly Average
Crops, Daily Spot Prices Year Ago 4 Wks Ago 4/16/10
www.myfarmandranch.com
Production News
Nebraska Slaughter Steer 35-65% Choice, Live Weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$88.77 Nebraska Feeder Steers, Med. & Large Frame, 550-600# . . . . . . . . . . . .117.44 Med & Large Frame, 750-800 # . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100.88 Choice Boxed Beef, 600-750# Carcass . . . . . . . . . .145.37 Western Corn Belt Base Hog Price . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29.20 Feeder Pigs, National Direct, 50#, FOB . . . . . . . . . . .65.17 Pork Carcass Cutout, 185#, 51-52% Lean . . . . . . . .60.94 Slaughter Lambs, Ch. & Pr.,Heavy, SD Dir. . . . . . . . .92.00 Nat. Carcass Lamb Cutout, FOB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .249.27
*
99.96
127.58 128.29 105.72 115.78 153.69 166.77 67.92 80.10 * * 73.66 82.82 * * 273.07 288.98
Wheat, No. 1, H.W. Imperial, bu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4.92 Corn, No. 2, Yellow, Omaha, bu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3.67 Soybeans, No. 1 Yellow Omaha, bu . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10.28 Grain Sorg. No. 2 Yellow, Dorchester, cwt . . . . . . . . .5.50 Oats, No. 2, Heavy Minneapolis, MN, bu. . . . . . . . . . .1.86
3.77 3.58 9.46 5.63 2.24
3.96 3.53 9.76 5.61 2.15
135.00 87.50 * 95.00 34.00
135.00 92.50 * 103.50 35.50
Hay (per ton) Alfalfa, Lrg. Sq. Bales Good to Prem., NE Neb. . . . . .190.00 Alfalfa, Lrg. Rounds, Good, Platte Valley, . . . . . . . . .77.50 Grass Hay, Lrg. Rounds, Premium, Neb., . . . . . . . . .85.00 Dried Distillers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .130.00 Wet Distillers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49.00 * No market.