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As valuation notices arrive in mailboxes across Nebraska, many property owners are asking the same question: If my valuation increased, does that mean my property taxes will increase as well? The answer is, no, not necessarily. Your property tax bill is based on two things: the assessed value of your property times the tax rate, or levy, which is set by locally elected taxing authorities. Understanding how those two factors work together can help make sense of both your valuation notice and tax bill.

GOTHENBURG, NE – June 6, 2026, Governor Jim Pillen, Senator Mike Jacobson, and Sherry Vinton, director of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, joined members of Nebraska’s agricultural industry at the Machine Shed near Gothenburg to celebrate passage of a first of its kind bill for protecting agricultural data. LB 525 was introduced initially in the 2025 legislative session by Sen.

While poisonous plants are generally not as problematic in Nebraska compared to other western states, they can exact their toll on livestock enterprises, and many times the losses are unrecognized. There are 17 species listed as primary toxic plants that can be found in Nebraska.

Forages vary greatly in water- use efficiency defined as pounds of forage produced per inch of water applied. In general, warm-season (C-4) forage crops are more water-use efficient than cool-season (C-3) crops. Further, annual forages use water more efficiently than perennial forages. Although legumes, like alfalfa, are very drought tolerant, they tend to be less water efficient than grasses.

June 8 - I’ve been asked. “How deep should I mulch around my trees?” Generally, mulch should be applied in an even layer about 2 to 4 inches deep. Never apply mulch against the bark of a tree, as that can encourage insect and disease problems. Piling mulch up around a tree in a volcano shape can give a walkway to harmful rodents. Keep mulch level and away from the tree trunk.

Heat stress in cattle is more than just a summertime concern - it has significant impacts on health, reproduction, and long-term productivity. Most producers already understand the importance of keeping cattle supplied with clean, accessible water. What is often overlooked is that water availability is one of the most important factors in reducing heat stress. In many cases, discussing heat stress reduction is really discussing proper water access.

Since the first cutting of alfalfa has been completed in much of the state, Nebraska producers may be tempted to believe our troubles with alfalfa weevil are over. Unfortunately, this may not be the case. Alfalfa weevil feeding on regrowth has been reported in some fields, so scouting is highly recommended, particularly if you notice that regrowth doesn’t begin within 4-5 days after cutting.

Lincoln, NE, June 5, 2026 —The Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is aware of the confirmation of New World screwworm in Texas earlier this month and is monitoring developments related to the parasite.

Yucca plants, which are also called soapweed, can be quite common on rangeland in western and central Nebraska. They are especially noticeable here in June when flowering. In some areas, they can be quite thick and significantly reduce grass production. There are ways, though, to reclaim those grazinglands.

What does it cost to rent pasture this year? 2026 results are out for Nebraska cash rental rates. According to the latest survey, average monthly rates for grazing pasture have increased between two percent and eight percent compared to the previous grazing season.