News

With limited water availability this summer for irrigators dependent on canal water, summer annual forages may provide an opportunity to grow cover crops on prevent-plant acres that will likely have significant value as a forage resource due to drought conditions.

For many cow-calf operations in central and western Nebraska, significant culling may be required to match cow numbers to the forage available, not only for 2026, but also for the next few years. For operations that have spent generations building the type of cow they want, there is a strong commitment to retain a core of foundation females from which to rebuild the herd when it rains again.

LINCOLN, NE – Governor Jim Pillen has issued several emergency declarations to provide state resources in areas that have experienced destructive weather events. The most current situation involves a wildfire in Sioux County between Crawford and Harrison. The South Fork Fire has burned nearly 9,000 acres since it was detected yesterday afternoon.

Washington, D.C. - June 16, 2026 – Nominations are now being accepted for farmers and ranchers to serve on local U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committees. These committees make important decisions about how federal farm programs are administered locally. All nomination forms for the 2026 election must be postmarked or received in the local FSA office by Aug. 3, 2026.

North Central District Health Department (NCDHD) in coordination with Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has confirmed the first human case of West Nile Virus (WNV) in Nebraska for the 2026 season. The case was identified within the NCDHD jurisdiction.

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Pastures, crops and gardens got a boost as the area received about 1.5” of rain over the weekend. Some wouldn’t consider that news, but I do! Some ambitious volunteers scraped, primed and painted the Fellowship Hall by Lakeview Church last week.

From my Window Day in and day out you hear, “They should do this” or “they should do that.” We recently experienced primary elections where we heard many comments regarding “They should do a better job fixing the roads,” or “They should have more polling places,” and other similar comments. Regarding elections, “They” usually refers to government officials.

I originally wanted to write something to counter Yellowstone and all of its spinoffs but it quickly turned into something for a mama’s heart because that’s just the phase of life I’m in and it is such a blessing. When we get to enjoy saddle time, I either have a partner in mine or I’m ponying another but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

June 2026 Survey Highlights RuralMainstreetIndexExpands to Two-Year High • The region’s overall reading climbed to its highest level since July 2023. Small Business Conditions Show Mixed Signals • More than half of bank CEOs reported that small business growth in their service area was stable, while four of 10 indicated modest business declines.