Adams Land and Cattle wins national Beef Quality Assurance Award

The beef industry may be strong on tradition, but Adams Land and Cattle recognizes that success today and in the future depends on progress.
Adams’s commitment to improving their business and the industry, as well as communicating with consumers about that standard, is part of why they were named the 2024 National Beef Quality Assurance Feedyard of the Year, according to Nebraska Beef Quality Assurance Director Jesse Fulton.
“The Nebraska BQA program considers Adams a progressive, outstanding member of Nebraska’s beef industry, and a leading advocate for the beef industry as a whole,” Fulton said.
Adams has been in the beef business in Nebraska since the 1950s when Russ and Angenette Adams bought 320 acres near Broken Bow to raise cattle and their family. The business has expanded to a 125,000 finishing capacity feedyard, but it’s still owned and operated by the Adams family.
“At Adams, our mission is feeding the world high-quality, safe and sustainable beef,” said Abram Babcock, president of Adams Land and Cattle. “The principles of BQA align perfectly with what we strive for every day within our company, from every single employee being BQA certified on day one of employment, to our continuous improvement and best practices, to the identification and verification of every single animal that leaves our lots. We are honored by this award and are incredibly proud of our employees for their hard work and dedication to consumers.”

HISTORY OF INNOVATION
Innovation has been a major theme for Adams Land and Cattle, Fulton said. In the 1990s they were early adopters of individual animal management technology, which allows individual animals to be traced through the feedlot, ensuring accurate, complete health records. They also created an IT system, Revoro, which enables them to collect data on individual animals and make data-based management decisions. Adams has used electronic ID readers since 2010, and has patented a sorting technology that uses artificial intelligence to optimize animal endpoints.
Adams has also consistently focused on reducing stress for the animals in their care. That includes a trolley system that automates the sorting process, and a mobile vet hospital which takes health treatments to sick animals, allowing them to stay in a familiar location, with familiar pen-mates, rather than requiring sick animals to be brought to a “sick pen.”
Adams’ commitment to animal welfare starts with every employee, from accountants to pen riders, being BQA certified as part of their employment orientation. The company has adopted and enhanced the standard BQA practices and combined it with Tyson’s FarmCheck program to create their own program called Adams Quality Assurance.

FOCUS ON CONSUMER CONFIDENCE
Adams works to build consumer confidence by participating in value-added programs like non-hormone treated cattle, Global Animal Partnership, Verified Natural, BeefCARE and most recently, Brazen Beef. These programs provide additional value for beef producers by meeting consumer demands for animal care, hormone treatments and environmental standards, Fulton said. The Adams system for electronically identifying and verifying animals makes it simple to track which animals qualify for which programs when it’s time to market them.
While Adams Land and Cattle has a history in the beef industry, they recognize the work necessary to provide for the future as well. Through social media, partnerships with Nebraska Ag in the Classroom, a scholarship program, and participation in programs like the Timmerman Feedlot Internship program through University of Nebraska-Lincoln, they educate and support kids in Nebraska, working toward positive relationships with future consumers and employees. Adams sponsors field trips to the feedyard, provides compost to local gardeners, and hosts Youth Animal Quality Assurance Training, which is required for 4-H members in animal projects. 
By feeding Nebraska corn to Nebraska cattle, Adams supports area farmers, buying 14 million bushels of corn annually, which means about 16,000 semi-loads of corn stay local.  
Through their voluntary participation in consumer-driven programs, their own commitment to animal care and handling standards, and the transparency they offer anyone who wants to know how Adams produces cattle, Adams Land and Cattle builds consumer trust in the beef industry, Fulton said. 
The National Beef Quality Assurance Awards recognize outstanding members of the beef industry in five categories: Cow-Calf, Feedyard, Dairy, Marketer and Educator. The National BQA Awards are selected by a committee of BQA-certified representatives from universities, state beef councils, sponsors and affiliated groups. Nominations are submitted by organizations, groups or individuals on behalf of a U.S. beef producer, dairy beef producer, marketer or educator.

Nebraska’s Power Genetics wins national Beef Quality Assurance award

In the 1980s, Jason Anderson realized that in the cattle business, his options were to get better or get out.  

Anderson, president and founder of Power Genetics, chose to get better. As the winner of the 2024 National Beef Quality Assurance Marketer of the Year award, the industry agrees the company, based in Arapahoe, Neb., has succeeded.

“I’m honored and humbled to be part of the BQA program,” Jason said. “It just keeps helping us manage our cattle better and be an advocate for the beef industry in terms of quality assurance.”

Jason and his brother J.D. picked up the reins in the business when cattle prices were low, interest rates were high, and everyone was just trying to survive. J.D. started selling seedstock bulls after graduating college. He branded his business Powerline Genetics. 

“We wanted to find an endpoint marketing tool and a value-added grid,” Jason said. “The rancher would be our customer buying bulls, and we’d be their customer buying their calves back.”

THE POWER OF CONSISTENCY

Power Genetics was created in 1991 and organized independent feedyards into a verified beef supply chain for commercial markets. The majority of the cattle that go through the program are sired by Powerline Genetics, and all 32 member feedyards are managed independently, but to the same criteria of animal handling and welfare. Consumer preference and perception is the ultimate guide for their practices.

This business model provides proven quality genetics to their feedyards, and it gives Powerline Genetics the data they need to continue to improve their seedstock genetics and produce high-quality beef. 

The Beef Quality Assurance program has provided a framework for a consistent training program for proper animal handling and treatment techniques, and a standard of evaluation across all the member feedyards, and all employees of those feedyards must be BQA certified. While BQA certification is becoming expected in the beef industry, Power Genetics has taken it a step further, also requiring an independent audit of all participating feedyards to make sure the principles are being applied, not just learned. 

“The BQA certification process is a great tool,” Jason said. “The audit tool puts teeth to the program.”

Power Genetics also requires that anyone who hauls cattle for them is BQA Transportation certified. That reduces stress at loading and unloading, which makes the processing smoother, with better yields and less bruising.

“The whole system is just better because we are all on the same standard operating procedure,” Jason said.

The program has improved the employee training process, which has resulted in more positive, consistent and effective cattle handling, and improved employee safety, Jason said.

“All our employees, especially the younger generation, know only low-stress cattle handling and proper injection sites and how to properly store products and when to change needles. That’s because of BQA. My sons in the business don’t know how we used to do it, which we thought was right, but we didn’t know any better. Everything we do is to create a better eating experience for the consumer.”

That standard operating procedure was developed with the help of consulting veterinarians and Jesse Fulton, director of the Nebraska BQA program.

“I felt Power Genetics was deserving of this award because of their belief to go above and beyond what is required,” Fulton said. “When developing their feedyard management program best management practices, they developed protocols and record-keeping templates that either meet or exceed BQA guidelines while fulfilling the needs of the company and member feedyards. They also offer continuing education opportunities for member yards to participate. These opportunities are generally veterinarian-led and cover a variety of animal health and low-stress animal handling topics.”  

FOCUS ON CONSUMERS

While Powerline Genetics works to help cow-calf producers improve genetics, and Power Genetics works to improve quality and profitability for their member feedyards, the whole system is designed for one purpose — to produce wholesome, quality beef that consumers feel good about eating.

Dr. Shane Terrell, veterinarian and research coordinator for Production Animal Consultation, has worked with Power Genetics and many of their member feedyards as a consulting veterinarian for the last six years. “Jason and Power Genetics are always looking to be the industry leaders, being on the forefront and thinking about the consumer and animal with every decision they make,” Terrell said. “That makes them overwhelmingly deserving of this award.”

Being able to point to the BQA certification and audit process, and marketing only cattle produced to that standard of animal handling and welfare eases conversations with consumers who may have the wrong idea about cattle production. 

“We can stand behind how we manage the cattle,” Jason said. “When you’re producing beef to the best of your ability and the right way, it’s fun to talk about what you do.”

The National Beef Quality Assurance Awards recognize outstanding members of the beef industry in five categories: Cow-Calf, Feedyard, Dairy, Marketer, and Educator. The National BQA Awards are selected by a committee of BQA certified representatives from universities, state beef councils, sponsors and affiliated groups. Nominations are submitted by organizations, groups or individuals on behalf of a U.S. beef producer, dairy beef producer, marketer or educator.

The awards were presented at the Cattle Industry Convention in Orlando in early February.

Legendary livestock judging coach Larry Carnahan passes at 84

Dewey Carnahan, Sr., was a wide-eyed 6-year-old boy in 1906 at the inaugural National Western Stock Show. The family had brought cattle from the family ranch in Kiowa, Colo., to exhibit in The Yards. The family ranch, homesteaded in 1862, continued to make annual appearances. Forty years later, Dewey, Jr. was also 6 years old and taking in the hustle and bustle of the January show along the South Platte River. Dewey, Jr., better known as Larry Carnahan, took the lessons learned in The Yards with him back to the ranch and to Colorado State University in 1957. Dewey (Larry) Carnahan, Sr., passed away on March 8, 2024, at the age of 84.

The call of high-quality cattle beckoned Carnahan away from his studies a couple times, sometimes to the ranch to help and other times working for area ranchers or managing a nearby cattle show string. It was at CSU he met Carol McClure. The two married and raised children Joy, Jacki, and Dan.

Lon Garrison, Mark McGregor, Jeff Belk, Heather Orr, Echo Rantanen and Larry Carnahan after winning the livestock judging contest at the American Royal in 1985. Photo courtesy Echo Rantanen
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Lon Garrison spotted Carnahan and his daughters in the beef barn at the Douglas County Fair in the late 1970s and said he looked like someone who might know what he was doing. Garrison invited him to a meeting of the livestock judging team, though Carnahan never mentioned his own successful 4-H livestock judging career or his years livestock judging at CSU where he earned high individual honors at the National Western in 1961.

He was soon leading the Franktown Dudes 4-H Club and in 1979, took the reins as the coach of the livestock judging team. His daughter Joy was among the youngsters he shepherded to contests around the state each spring.

In 1983, he and Joy joined their team at the contest in Gunnison, a contest he had won himself as a youngster on the Elbert County team. Carnahan pulled Joy aside to tell her Dewey, Sr., had passed away.

Joy said he had tears in his eyes as he relayed the news to her, and he listened as she told him they should head home to the ranch.

Carnahan’s 1992 team at the North American Livestock Exposition, Louisville, Ky. From left to right: Larry Carnahan, Steve Cummings, Linda Cummings, Stephanie Cummings Vetter, Sheri Shea Trehal, Suzie Cummings Vetter, Shawn Apt, Jeff Belk, Jay Belk. Photo courtesy Suzie Vetter
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“He did what my dad always did,” she said. “He said we could do that if I thought we should but said he wasn’t sure what we would do if we were there as Aunt Alice and Aunt Norma were there. Then he said, on the other hand, your team is here in Gunnison and you’re one of four and they’re counting on you.”

She said they talked about the situation and what the team would do without a fourth member.

“Then he said, why don’t you just go out and win this contest for grandpa,” she said.

Joy ended the day dropping seven points and won the contest that day. She said she used that story as she applied for scholarships and eventually law school, citing it as one of the most important lessons she learned with, she said, her late grandpa undoubtedly on her shoulder that day.

COACHING GENERATIONS Of MEMBERS

Carnahan had a hand in raising generations of 4-H members through his coaching of the Douglas County Livestock Judging Team beginning in the mid-1980s. His famous saying, “Luck is when hard work and preparation meet opportunity” was ingrained in his young team members’ minds. During his coaching tenure, the team boasted as many as 40 members who gathered on spring weekends to compete. He coached two state championship teams who went on to compete in Louisville, Ky., at the North American International Livestock Exposition, finishing both times in the top 10. His teams won the national dairy judging competition in Fresno, Calif., in 1982 and the American Royal in 1985. He retired from coaching in 1993 when two of his former team members, Jay and Jeff Belk, took the reins.

Carnahan with friends and livestock judging alumni gathered to honor him at a CALF banquet in 2014. Courtesy photo
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Lon Garrison volunteered as the club leader and said he lured Carnahan into coaching the team, which turned into a wonderful experience for Garrison and his wife, Joyce, and the youth of the club. Two of the Garrison’s children, Shanna and Lon, Jr., both livestock judged for Carnahan.

“I loved Larry, and I never told him how much he did for me and for 4-H but I wish I had,” Garrison said.

Garrison said his good memories during those years were wrapped around Carnahan’s leadership and friendship. He said when Carnahan took teams out of state to compete at national contests, Carnahan made a point of taking them to experience things and places they hadn’t at home.

He asked one group what thing they would like to do that they couldn’t do in Castle Rock, and they said they wanted to ride a city bus as they only had experience on school busses. He said Carnahan and the team spent hours riding on and learning about the public transit system and experiencing something new. In Louisville, he took team members to Churchill Downs.

“We all learned to read a racing sheet, read the odds at the window, place our bets and mourn our losses,” Garrison said. “We treated the team to lunch in the elite Green & White dining room.”

After the Garrisons concluded their time with the judging club, Steve and Linda Cummings led the club. Their children, Suzie and Stephanie, were both successful in the program and Linda said she is particularly grateful that her family was able to experience those years together.

Carnahan served on the Douglas County Fair Board, the Douglas County Fair Foundation as a founding member and first president, and he was instrumental in forming Colorado Agricultural Foundation, CALF, which has brought agriculture and 4-H to countless young people since 2002. He was honored by the Red Meat Club and was a member of the National Western Club. Carnahan Ranches, which remained dear to his heart, is legendary in The Yards, having shown cattle there each year since 1906.

Many alumni of Carnahan’s teams recall the blue jackets worn proudly by team members. Photo by Brian Mitchell
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Young people he coached include Jennifer Kieca, a physician in Western Colorado who said Carnahan “not only taught me about grit, determination, public speaking and being able to passionately defend my beliefs, but he also showed me what it means to have grace under pressure. Teaching a rebellious red-headed 8-year-old patience is no small task! He looms large and his legacy will live on. I know I not only passed on much of what he taught me to my children, but to the Tri River Area teams I helped coach through the years. I doubt that those kids understand that so much of what they learned came from the mentors of my youth, but Larry will impact generations to come.”

Jay Belk judged for Carnahan and said he remembers the day he met Carnahan, who was the beef superintendent at the time, as he weighed his market steers in for the fair in 1975. Belk was a member of one of the most successful livestock judging teams and went on to volunteer for the 4-H program, worked in mortgage banking with Carnahan, and then spent 27 years as his business partner.

Carnahan at a party to celebrate his retirement from coaching the Douglas County Livestock Judging Team. Courtesy photo
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Carnahan’s children said he was incredibly proud of the 4-H members he coached over the years. Jacki (Carnahan) Kelley said the conversations over the past few days say a lot about Carnahan and a lot about 4-H.

“The impact that those experiences and Dad’s leadership had on so many kids has become really clear as they talk about the lessons they learned and the values they learned through livestock judging specifically have shaped who they are as people,” Kelley said. “It’s a nice tribute to him and it’s an important reality of the program.”

SIDEBAR-

THE ROAD TO LOUISVILLE by Stephanie Vetter

Larry is a Legend

I know that this is true

I’ve thought of his advice many times

When I wasn’t sure what to do

I’ve known him since I was little

And remember the first time he made me cry

I had to introduce myself and when nobody could hear me,

He stood me on a chair and said ‘give it another try’

I hated livestock judging

And I didn’t want to go

The thought of giving reasons

Was enough to make me explode

The first contest didn’t go so well,

And it certainly wasn’t fun

I busted classes and lost my glasses

And just wanted to be done

That was Adams County

And there were 5 more contests to go

I could probably make it through the year

But dreaded touching another sheep that was wet from snow

Gunnison was the contest

That people talked about like it was fun

I seriously doubted it would turn out that way

But figured we might as well get it done

I got left by all my roommates

Wearing a swimsuit with no key to get into my room

Lord only knows where all the parents were

They weren’t concerned about my doom

It is Echo who would save the day

And slide out a window for me to crawl through

She let me go to dinner with her

This trip just might end up being fun – WHO KNEW!

Sitting at the awards banquet

They called out a familiar name

I had finally gotten a ribbon and from that day on

Livestock Judging was never the same

The first practice every year was at Stock Show

We froze as we judged in the yards

Trying to recall what we’d learned the years before

And mark the right placing on our cards

Our weekly meetings we’re a lot about life skills

But Larry hid this little detail so well

We thought we were there to give reasons

Not learn how to speak in public, negotiate, or make a sale

We talked about being quietly confident

And the real definition of luck

Had a quiz about where Routt County was

And how to handle a class when you get stuck

Larry had a humorous side

And liked to have a laugh

Sometimes about something an official had said

And sometimes on his own behalf

Every contest that we went to

We met and traveled as a group

Larry led in his brown Mercedes

And the rest of us followed – we liked being his troops

Nearly everyone had a blue Douglas County jacket

I think mine might finally fit

Everyone was proud to be a part of that team

At every contest that we hit

The ultimate goal as judgers

Was to be on the state champion team

Many years it seemed that would happen

And many years another county walked away with that dream

In 1992 we were unstoppable

We won every judging contest we went to

Every county thought we were the team to beat

And we could finally see that dream coming true

The excitement had to show on our faces

As we sat through officials at the ’92 state contest

Trying to stay quietly confident we knew

When it really counted we had done our best

All four of us had been recognized by officials

For giving outstanding reasons

We placed classes better than we had

For most of the rest of the season

We would have to wait for the banquet

Where we would find out our fate

But there wasn’t a doubt in any of our minds

We had beat every team in the state

There we were on the stage

Beaming with smiles from ear to ear

They said, “In second place by only 1 point”

And there was no way to hold back the tears

Somehow we did not do it

We lost this contest by one point

It wasn’t just ourselves

It was Jay and Larry we hated to disappoint

The next day Larry got the results

And things just did not make sense

The scores that we had written down

Had been changed at our expense

Larry requested to see the actual cards

The ones we had marked and handed in

When they were provided

Well…then we started to grin

Not only did we win this contest

More than 30 points separated us from the other scores

We were headed to Louisville, Kentucky

Where we would represent Douglas County once more

We sold a pig and a lamb at the fair

To help defray the expense

We made hotel and flight reservations

And Larry set up practices that were intense

A group of thirteen

Went on the trip that fall

Coaches, parents and friends,

Every one of us had a ball!

There is so much to do there

And we tried to do it all

We went to Churchill Downs and bet on horses

Between practice and giving reasons in the hotel halls

There is one practice that stands out

We were evaluating swine

A gilt backed up and peed right into Larry’s boot

It was like he didn’t even mind

He was very intent on what he was saying

The four of us were listening closely too

But when he got done talking

That’s when he noticed the wet inside his shoe

He took us to the White Castle Burger

Paul Harvey had told him it was good

But he forgot the rest of the story

This restaurant was in the ‘hood’

Those hamburgers were full of holes

And were smaller than you could ever think

We all feared for Jay’s life

When he accidentally touched another customers drink

Larry had made us all a deal

That is now a memory we hold dear

A stretched limousine ride to the contest awards

If our team made it to Louisville that year

Larry means a lot to us

There are so many of us that he’s served

He’s been a mentor, a leader, a coach, and a friend

Legend of Agriculture is an award well deserved.

Northwest College to host UW seminar on family businesses in agriculture

POWELL, Wyo. — Those interested in community leadership will be intrigued by the latest installment of the University of Wyoming’s Ranch Management and Agricultural Leadership 2024 seminar series to be held in Powell Monday, April 1. The seminar, hosted by Northwest College, is titled “Leading the Field: Family-Run Businesses, Industry, and Community Leadership.” It addresses everything from successional planning to finding ways to work together in a family-owned business.

Members of the family business Northern Broadcasting and its subsidiary Northern Ag Network are the featured speakers for this seminar. Taylor Brown, current president and co-owner of the Northern Ag Network, is a national leader in the field of agricultural broadcasting. Courtney Brown Kibblewhite is the vice president of Northern Broadcasting and leads the sales and marketing team. Colter Brown is the ag director of Northern Ag Network.

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“I hope participants will walk away from this workshop understanding the amount of leadership and dedication it takes to make a family-owned business prosper for future generations,” said Randall Violett, associate director of UW’s RMAL program.

The event begins at 5 p.m. in Northwest College’s Yellowstone building and is also available via Zoom. For community members and students not seeking academic credit, the cost is $25 per session. Dinner is provided. To register, visit www.uwyo.edu/uwag/rmal.

The upcoming seminar is the third session of an educational series facilitated by the UW College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources in partnership with community colleges across the state. Events are designed to give producers and students relevant and practical information about agricultural topics in Wyoming.

Following the event in Powell, UW will host an all-day leadership symposium Monday, April 22, in Laramie. The symposium, titled “Navigating Western Waters: Addressing Water Challenges in the Western Region,” will wrap up the 2024 seminar series. For more information, visit www.uwyo.edu/uwag/rmal.

Dryland cropping system to be focus of upcoming Nebraska Soil Health School

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln will host a Nebraska Soil Health School, sponsored by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, on Wednesday, April 24, at UNL’s High Plains Ag Lab, 3257 Rd. 109, Sidney. Registration and refreshments will begin at 7:30 a.m., followed by a welcome from the event’s organizer, Bijesh Maharjan, UNL associate professor.

Following last year’s successful Soil Health School events across the state, this year, we plan to organize events specific to issues facing our growers in a given area, Maharjan said. The Nebraska Soil Health Schools are designed to build upon soil-related knowledge and practices for growers, crop consultants, ag professionals and others. The HPAL event will focus on soil health topics in relation to dryland cropping systems with the following presentations:

  • Soil Health – Byproduct of improved soil and crop management practices: Gary Peterson, CSU professor emeritus
  • Impact of tillage, biochar and cover crops on soils at the High Plains Ag Lab: Cody Creech, UNL associate professor and Fenster Professor of Dryland Agriculture
  • Soil health measurement and carbon market: Bijesh Maharjan with Jessica Groskopf, UNL extension educator economics
  • Impacts of tillage systems, crop residues and cover crops on soil water and yield in semi-arid dryland systems: David Nielsen, retired USDA Agricultural Research Service research agronomist.
  • NRCS soil health demonstrations and live rainfall simulator: Carlos Villarreal, USDA-NRCS state soil scientist and Riley Hackbart, soil scientist, USDA-NRCS
  • High Plains Ag Lab research plot tours

We are fortunate to have two prominent keynote speakers at this event. Nielsen and Peterson dedicated their careers to finding management solutions to address dryland cropping issues. They are well known among farmers, crop consultants and scientists throughout the Great Plains and other semi-arid regions of the world for their work on improving cropping system water use efficiency and profitability while protecting the soil resource.

“It is important for agricultural producers to understand the relationship between yield and available soil water at planting (AWP), and how to increase AWP with no-till management practices,” Nielsen commented. “This knowledge can aid in designing profitable crop rotations that are more intensive, lower fallow frequency than the wheat-fallow system.”

To attend the event, pre-register at https://unlcba.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3lr2CyTPO8AkWIC.

There is no fee to attend, and a full lunch will be provided. Certified crop adviser Continuing Education Units will be offered.

The full agenda can be found here https://preec.unl.edu/nebraska-soil-health-school-0

For more information or questions, email nheldt@unl.edu or call (308) 632-1230.

The Nebraska Soil Health School at UNL’s High Plains Ag Lab will include soil health demonstrations and the live rainfall simulator from USDA NRCS soil scientists. Photo by Nicole Heldt
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‘Manure Better’ workshop focuses on correct application and its impact

Tootsie rolls, a 5-gallon bucket, and a plastic drop cloth were all part of the hands-on training at the Nebraska Extension workshop “Manure Better” with land application training on Feb. 19 at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Panhandle Research Extension and Education Center in Scottsbluff.

“What we teach hasn’t changed,” said Leslie Johnson, Nebraska Extension animal manure management coordinator and educator. “How we teach it has changed. Previously, it was just research. Now, it lets us look at this field and how it works for this operation and then tailor it down to the operation.” The students used the previously mentioned bucket and tootsie rolls to weigh and calibrate the manure without the mess of natural manure. 

The focus is turning manure nutrients into better crop yields while protecting the environment. To do this, participants have multiple hands-on activities, from calculating and calibrating manure applications to looking at the nutrients and crop needs. “Weighing manure using calibration or verification, as I’m beginning to think of it. When applying the manure, we can’t make adjustments on the fly, but can make a change later with our commercial application,” Johnson said.

The whole purpose is to spread manure on land in an agronomic manner so we can protect water quality. Produce the best crop we can and do it in a manner to protect the environment. If the producer doesn’t know how much manure or nutrients they have actually applied to the land. The crops could be deficient in nutrients, which could mean yield loss. Too many nutrients and the risk is contamination of water or the environment. 

To learn more, visit https://water.unl.edu/category/animal-manure-management.

The Nebraska Extension Animal Manure Management Team sponsors the workshops. 

Figuring out the best manure application plan for their fields are Sam Cares, left, and Lance Chandler at the recent Nebraska Extension “Manure Better” with land application training. Photo by Chabella Guzman
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Nebraska 4-H accepting nominations for annual volunteer recognition awards

LINCOLN, Neb. — Nebraska 4-H is now accepting nominations for a new awards program to recognize the outstanding contributions of 4-H volunteers across the state.

The Nebraska 4-H Volunteer Recognition Awards honors adult and youth volunteers and multi-generational families, who have provided meaningful contributions to Nebraska 4-H. One Outstanding Adult Volunteer Award and One Emerging Adult Volunteer Award winner will be chosen for each of the state’s 10 Nebraska Extension Engagement zones. One statewide winner will be named in the each of the youth volunteer and multi-generational family categories. 

“Our 4-H volunteers go above and beyond to serve Nebraska’s youth every year,” said Jill Goedeken, 4-H Youth Development Extension educator. “We are looking forward to another opportunity to recognize 4-H volunteers for their contributions to youth in Nebraska.”

The nomination period runs through March 15, 2024. Nominations can be submitted by any 4-H member, family, supporter or Extension staff member. Nominees must fit the award categories and can be a volunteer for any Nebraska 4-H experience. Some examples may include 4-H club leader, project leader, junior leader, county or State Fair volunteer, special interest volunteer (such as robotics or shooting sports), afterschool club volunteer or 4-H camp volunteer. More information, along with the nomination form, is available online at: https://4h.unl.edu/volunteer-recognition.

Winners will be announced virtually in April 2024. A special awards presentation will take place at the 2024 Nebraska State Fair.

Wyoming 4-H to host free Virtual Career Fair March 19

WORLAND, Wyo. — High school and middle school students are encouraged to hop online Tuesday, March 19, for an interactive virtual career night organized by the University of Wyoming Extension.

Hosted on Zoom, the annual event offers an opportunity for young people to interact with professionals in fields ranging from agriculture, firefighting and wildlife management to video production, tourism and exercise physiology. Participants will also receive information on post-secondary education options and financial aid.

While the career fair is organized by Wyoming 4-H educators, it is free and open to any youth who are interested in attending.

This year’s event features speakers from across the country, including YouTube personality and agricultural professional Greg Peterson of the Peterson Farm Brothers and Teffany Fegler, an Educational Opportunity Center TRIO coordinator based in Riverton.

“Sometimes we don’t know what’s out there, especially as kids,” says Washakie County 4-H educator Amber Armajo. “This gives a small glimpse of things that are out there and encourages them to explore.”

After years of organizing in-person career fairs for local youth, Armajo pivoted to offer a virtual event in 2021. The new format was a success, attracting students from across Wyoming and beyond. Last year, more than 200 participants from 26 states registered for the annual event.

“When we first started, we wanted to show kids what’s available in Wyoming,” Armajo comments. “Now we’ve broadened the scope and I think it’s fun for them.”

The 2024 career fair begins at 6 p.m. Mountain time. To register and learn more about this year’s speakers, visit https://bit.ly/wy-4h-career-fair.

After Peterson and Fegler’s presentations, participants will have the opportunity to attend two additional presentations of their choice. The event concludes with a group wrap-up and Q&A session at 7:25 p.m.

All presentations, including those from previous years, are recorded and can be viewed at https://bit.ly/wy-4h-career-fair. Brief bios and contact information for each speaker are also provided.

Contact Armajo at amwall@uwyo.edu or (307) 347-3431 with questions.

The Peterson Farm Brothers, fifth generation farmers and YouTube personalities from Assaria, Kan. Greg Peterson will present at the 2024 Virtual Career Fair hosted by UW Extension. Photo courtesy Greg Peterson
Career

Colorado Lays Out Roadmap to Wolverine Reintroduction

DENVER — On Monday, March 4, Colorado legislators took a first step towards safeguarding the future of the North American wolverine in the lower 48 United States with the introduction of a bill that would authorize the reintroduction of the species to the Colorado mountains. Senate Bill 24-171 is set to kickstart the animal’s reintroduction into the state following the establishment of Endangered Species Act protections in late 2023. 

“The tenacious wolverine can thrive by scavenging in a harsh world of snow and ice but is defenseless against the looming threat of human-caused climate change and loss of snowpack,” said Michael Saul, Rockies and Plains program director for Defenders of Wildlife. “That’s why it’s so important for the survival of the species that Colorado moves forward with returning these animals to the high mountains of the state, where we can help give them a fighting chance at survival.” 

LAW REQUIREMENTS

Existing state law requires legislative action before Colorado Parks and Wildlife can start reintroduction of the wolverine, or any ESA-listed species. Sponsored by Sens. Perry Will and Dylan Roberts and Reps. Barbara McLachlan and Tisha Mauro, the bipartisan bill would authorize the state to begin this work, allocating $750,000 from the Species Conservation Trust Fund. Actual reintroductions can only begin once the Fish and Wildlife Service passes a Section 10(j) rule, declaring reintroduced Colorado wolverines as a non-essential experimental population and establishing distinct rules for their management.  

“We see this legislation, overall, as a step towards securing a resilient future for these fascinating, snow-dependent creatures,” said Saul. “We look forward to working with Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service to ensure a timely, science-based rulemaking that allows this critical restoration effort to move forward.” 

With likely fewer than 325 wolverines remaining in the lower 48, the species faces several threats. Following eradication from much of their range through 20th century trapping and poisoning, they now face threats from habitat fragmentation, increased human use of the backcountry and the overwhelming loss of snowpack due to climate change. Wolverines rely on hard-packed snow throughout the winter to store food and dig dens for raising young. Stress from shrinking snowfall is a huge contributor to declining mating numbers. 

“Defenders of Wildlife applauds the state of Colorado for once again setting an example for the nation in restoring native wildlife,” said Saul. “Defenders has fought for decades to ensure wolverines get the legal protections they deserve, and we are excited to work with Colorado Parks and Wildlife and others to ensure a successful, science-based return of these alpine survivors to the Colorado high country.” 

Defenders and its allies have fought for the wolverine for 20 years. The animal was listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 2023, following six rounds of successful litigation dating back as far as 2000. 

BLM Colorado offers six yearling wild horses for adoption at Rocky Mountain Horse Expo

LAKEWOOD, Colo. — The Bureau of Land Management will host a wild horse and burro placement event on March 15-17, 2024, offering six wild horse yearlings gathered from western rangelands, at the Rocky Mountain Horse Expo. The event will take place at the National Western Complex, 4655 Humboldt St. Denver. The yearlings will be eligible for adoption to individuals who are eligible and can provide good homes.

“We thank our partners at the Rocky Mountain Horse Expo and Equus Film Festival for making this adoption possible,” said Alan Bittner, BLM Colorado Resources deputy state director, “Don’t miss your opportunity to provide a good home to one of America’s Living Legends.”

Viewing opportunities will be available on Friday, March 15, and Saturday March 16 from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. MST. The silent bid will take place on Sunday the 17. This event is free and open to the public. Adopters must be at least 18 years old and able to verify the animal’s access to food, water and adequate shelter. Animals that are adopted must be transported from the event site in an approved trailer.

Equus Film Festival and Rocky Mountain Horse Expo volunteers will work with the yearlings for three days providing training prior to the adoption. These horses will not be eligible for the Adoption Incentive Program, as they have received training.

BLM staff will be onsite to provide more information and assist with the short application process.

To qualify:   

  • Applicants must be at least 18 years old with no record of animal abuse.  
  • Homes must have a minimum of 400 square feet of corral space per animal, with access to food, water and shelter. 
  • Corral fence must meet height requirements:
    • Adult horses – 6 feet   
    • Yearlings – 5 feet  
  • Trailers must be stock type, covered, with swing gates and sturdy walls/floors.

To learn more about BLM’s Wild Horse and Burro program, visit https://www.blm.gov/whb.