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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S.

Pasture rental rates are something many have questions about. By looking at changes in the cattle market prices, productivity factors influencing rental rates, stocking rates, expectations for rainfall and other factors we can estimate pasture rates will likely be similar to 2023 or slightly higher depending on the region. Establishing fair pasture rates can be a challenge. The most popular method is using ‘current market rates’ based on average county rental rates for each county or region of the state. The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service provides annual average county pasture values each August. In 2023, Nebraska regional rates ranged from $10.50/ acre in Northwest to $48.50/acre in Southcentral to $88/ acre in the Northeast. The UNL Center for Agricultural Profitability also provides updated pasture rental values in the Nebraska Farm Real Estate Market Survey. Values are provided as cash rental rates along with cow-calf pairs and stocker rates. Preliminary results for the UNL survey come out in March and the final report comes out in June. For 2023 rates, visit the Nebraska Farm Real Estate website at: http:// cap.unl.edu/realestate Those in severe drought impacted regions might consider pricing leases based on grazing animal unit months (AUM’s) OR rent per head per month of grazing; rather than flat rates per acre or cow-calf pair. A clause might be added to cover livestock water in case water sources go dry. Typically, pasture weed control is a landlord expense; but if the pasture was overgrazed due to drought; weed control costs might be shared between landowners and tenants. Finally, stocker or feeder cattle producers might consider a rent per pound of gain method for example, the tenant might pay 50 to 60 cents to the pasture owner for each animal pound gained during the pasture grazing.

Warmer weather and longer days are starting to show up, giving so many of us hope and excitement for the new growing season. Beware of false spring, where the warm days can be followed by cold snaps and potential spring blizzards that will visit the region at some point in March and April. Here are some tips to consider now, and through mid-April on gardening related jobs in our very uncertain weather.

Valentine, Nebraska, March 1, 2024 — Valentine U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director Kami Ormesher has announced that agricultural producers can now enroll in the Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for the 2024 crop year. The deadline to complete enrollment and any election change is March 15, 2024.

Keep your green thumb in shape this winter while getting a jump on the growing season by starting your favorite or hard-to-find plants indoors. It’s fun, simpler than you think, and can help stretch your plant budget.

The Valentine Ministerial Association will be hosting Sermons-ala- Carte this year at the Episcopal Church, 372 N. Main St.

The time for spring planting alfalfa is just around the corner, and selecting the right seed is crucial. Two traits we should take extra time to consider are fall dormancy and winter survival. These traits are often treated the same, but are different. Today let’s look at winter survival.

Valentine citizens created around 1,300 Valentines for Veterans! Leo Brinda Unit #90 American Legion Auxiliary hosts this project each year. With the help of VFW members, the Auxiliary prepped and mailed off the Valentines to several Veteran Homes in the region. Over 135 individual envelopes were also mailed to area Vets. A big thank you to Mrs. Stoeger at Valentine Middle School for organizing a giving campaign with students to raise over $170 in funds for postage! Each Valentine is stamped with the official Valentine, NE stamp and an Auxiliary stamp.

For the past 21 years, bulls have dominated Valentine’s Main Street - with the exception of that one really cold year. This year, the weather was overcast but moderate with snow falling on the festivities of Valentine’s Main Event. But that didn’t deter people from coming out and looking at all there was both on Main Street, and inside each business who hosted events!

Volunteer Firefighters celebrating years of service are pictured from L to R: Jeff Ohlmann Jeff Sayer, Jake Ohlmann, Tim Murphy, Mike Jordan, J. D.