News

It’s never too early to prepare for the garden season ahead. Having the right tool for the job saves time, reduces the frustration of trying to make the wrong tool work, and allows you to garden longer with less muscle fatigue.

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The Valentine Bull Bash Quilt Show held Saturday, February 10, 2024, was a great success. Sixty-two quilts representing many patterns, styles, colors, and decades from Valentine and the surrounding communities made the show a challenge for those willing to cast their votes for their favorite quilts.

The Heart City Creative District was recently named a certified Nebraska Creative District and was awarded a $10,000 Nebraska Arts Council Certification grant. The NebraskaCreativeDistrictprogram utilizes the arts as an economic driver to support communities in Nebraska by telling their stories and elevating the value of the arts.

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments.

Arrests/Incidents On 02/06/2024 at 9:32 p.m., an officer responded to the 200 block of North Cherry Street for a disturbance. A 33 year old Valentine man was arrested for disturbing the peace.

One of the most important responsibilities of the Attorney General is public safety. Our criminal bureau, which is responsible for investigating criminal activity, prosecuting crimes, and handling criminal appeals, is the largest in our office.

Filing Deadline for Incumbents was Thursday, February 15, 2024.***An incumbent is defined as someone holding an elective office, even if filing for an office other than the one in which they are presently serving.

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.