STRAIGHT FROM THE HORSES MOUTH

Duane A. Lienemann
UNL Extension Educator

     There are a lot of things going on this time of year. Harvest is in full swing with most of the soybeans out and farmers making some real inroads with the corn crop. The corn is finally starting to dry down enough for the combines to roll and boy are they. The reports are starting to come in on the yields and potential yields and they are as varied as the rainfalls and other climate conditions were across the area.  All in all  I think most farmers are pretty pleased with the results. It will be interesting to see what decisions have been made or will be made concerning movement of the grain, marketing of the grain and for sure the potential for storage of the grain. With that in mind I might encourage you to visit a UNL Extension website if you have storage concerns. http://cropwatch.unl.edu/grainstorage2 .   
     National FFA Convention: This time of year brings back some really good memories for me as a former Ag Ed Instructor/FFA Advisor with the anticipation of all of those people in the famous Blue and Gold jackets of National FFA Convention. I always enjoyed taking students to Kansas City and later to Louisville for this leadership based event. It wasn’t just the young FFA kids that came back motivated and inspired but their advisor. This next week (Oct. 29-Nov. 1) more than 60,000 strong will once again travel to Louisville for the 2014 National FFA Convention & Exposition.
     “Go All Out” is the theme of this year’s convention and expo. FFA members will be encouraged to give it their all and put everything they have into everything they do.  They can go all out to develop positive leadership, personal growth and career success. I really like this theme and am encouraged for our future with lessons like this in a time where I don’t believe a lot of people do “Go all Out”. To help these young people discover their potential throughout the week, students will attend more than 85 leadership and personal growth workshops. FFA members will also tour industry destinations, including Papa John’s international headquarters, Ford’s Louisville assembly plant, Churchill Downs and more.
     As I understand it there are nine general sessions will draw FFA members together at the Kentucky Exposition Center. Students will have countless opportunities to engage exhibitors from more than 450 corporations, organizations and colleges at the expo inside the center. Nick Vujicic will be the opening session’s headline motivational speaker. He is an Australian Christian evangelist and motivational speaker born with tetra-amelia syndrome, a rare disorder characterised by the absence of all four limbs. Tyson Foods, Inc., President and CEO Donnie Smith will deliver his message to attendees during the third general session on Oct. 30. On Oct. 31, Elanco President Jeff Simmons and Southern humorist Jane Jenkins Herlong will address convention goers during the fourth and seventh general sessions, respectfully.
     Country music star Justin Moore with special guest Easton Corbin will perform exclusively for FFA members the night of Oct. 29 at KFC Yum! Center, and on Thursday, Oct. 30, Scotty McCreery, Danielle Bradbery and The Springs will take the stage. The World’s Toughest Rodeo will unfold on the nights of Oct. 30 and 31 at Broadbent Arena, inside the Kentucky Exposition Center. A late-night, lock-in dance Oct. 31 will be hosted by the National FFA Alumni Association. Gosh, with that line-up it makes me want to make that long bus trip at least one more time. My advice to the young people from this area – take it all in and take advantage of what is offered to you. You will not have that opportunity in years to come. For you that cannot attend in person you can watch it if you have RFD TV. A complete schedule can be found on the internet at: http://www.rfdtv.com/story/23749661/ffa-broadcast-schedule 
     Burke Teichert coming to Webster County: This time of year also brings the start of our UNL Extension Winter programming. I try to list as many as I can on the Calendar of Events that accompany my column, but there is one coming up that I would like to highlight this week. The Nebraska Grazing Lands Coalition (NGLC) and Webster County UNL Extension are joining forces to host Burke Teichert, noted ranch profitability strategist and frequent contributor to BEEF Magazine, at the Blue Hill Community Center on Wednesday, November 19. The seminar will be from 10 am to 2 pm and will include a lunch. We are currently taking reservations at the Webster County UNL Extension office in Red Cloud. You can call 402-746-3417 or email me at dlienemann2@unl.edu. There is a small fee for attending to offset the travel and meal.  
     Burke is a proponent of planned, time-controlled grazing for improved soil health and ranch productivity.  Since retirement, he has worked as a contract manager, consultant and speaker. He has also traveled extensively in the U.S. and in parts of Canada and Central and South America as well as England, Australia and New Zealand on company business or as a consultant or speaker. Mr. Teichert will speak to the Five Essentials of Successful Ranch Management which include: Approach should be both integrative and holistic; Strive for continuous improvement of the key resources—land, livestock and people; Use good analysis and decisions making tools; War on costs; and Emphasis on marketing. 
     One of his statements intrigued me: “The interesting thing is that it all begins with the way we manage our grazing and farming.  Good grazing improves the land, lets us control costs by using larger herds and reduce our dependence on fed feeds, helps us cut overhead costs, makes us look at calving season and the breeding program to more closely fit the natural environment, etc.”. All things that I believe we should look at as beef producers.  Please mark your calendars for this event and get your reservation in.  I think you will find it well worth your small investment and time! 

The preceding information comes from the research and personal observations of the writer which may or may not reflect the views of UNL or UNL Extension. For more further information on these or other topics contact D. A. Lienemann, UNL Extension Educator for Webster County in Red Cloud, (402) 746-3417 or email to: dlienemann2@unl.edu or go to the website at: http://www.webster.unl.edu/home