CornsTalk
Stewardship First: What It Means To Be A Good Neighbor In Agriculture
Across much of central Nebraska, farmland adjoins towns, communal waterways and residential areas. Because what happens on the land affects everyone, open communication between producers, neighbors and communities is extremely critical. Nebraska’s Natural Resources Districts (NRDs) are local, community-based government agencies that manage and protect land and water. While often [...]
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Across much of central Nebraska, farmland adjoins towns, communal waterways and residential areas. Because what happens on the land affects everyone, open communication between producers, neighbors and communities is extremely critical. Nebraska’s Natural Resources [...]
In south-central Nebraska, where Hamilton County’s gravel roads weave between seas of corn, Nate Goertzen carries on a farming legacy with his father and sons on the same land his family has tended to [...]
From the Missouri River to the Wyoming border, Nebraska stretches across hundreds of miles of changing soils, climates and growing conditions. To outsiders, it may look like one continuous agricultural landscape. But farmers know [...]
Dryland corn farming, where crops depend entirely on rainfall rather than irrigation water, has always been an exercise in judgment. Without the predictability of irrigation, farmers make real-time decisions based on weather, soil conditions [...]
From early classroom exposure to national leadership opportunities, the Nebraska Corn Board invests in the future of agriculture by supporting a wide range of educational and leadership programs for young people This guide outlines [...]
Clean water, healthy soil and conservation are central to Nebraska agriculture, and the state manages them through a unique network of Natural Resources Districts. Also called NRDs, these districts are independent, locally funded and locally [...]
For fifth-generation Holdrege farmer Logan Reed, agriculture isn’t just about growing crops, it’s about growing community connections. Connections that were first forged nearly a century and a half ago. “My great-great-grandfather came over from Sweden [...]
Growing up in northwest Omaha, Morgan Wrich watched as the quiet cornfield behind her elementary school gave way to a concrete parking lot and a bustling Lowe’s, a clear sign of the city’s rapid growth. [...]
Wood River farmer Michael Dibbern believes that agriculture is about far more than the business of working the land. It’s about connection—to the soil, to the farming community and to the small town he calls [...]
Packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, white corn is a nutritious addition to a balanced diet and supports vital bodily functions. You’ll find white corn in a wide range of popular food products such [...]
Combining time-honored wisdom with forward-thinking innovation. For fifth-generation corn farmer John Krohn, life begins and ends with the soil beneath his boots. It’s where his livelihood takes shape, where his family’s legacy grows and [...]
Across Nebraska’s gravel roads and morning coffee conversations, a simple statement is evoking a powerful reaction: “I’m a Nebraska Corn Farmer.” Launched by the Nebraska Corn Board (NCB), the campaign invites farmers from across the [...]
When it comes to corn farming, there are many common myths and misconceptions. From farming processes to technology, sit down with a Nebraska farmer to get the facts behind popular corn farming myths! Matt Sullivan [...]
Nebraska corn farmers have always relied on experience, intuition and a deep connection to the land to raise their crops. Now, some are using agricultural drones—not to replace that expertise, but to expand on [...]
Each spring, many corn fields across Nebraska are planted not by the landowners, but by other farmers hired to complete these key tasks. This practice, known as custom farming or custom hire farming, allows [...]
Corn plant diseases pose a serious threat on Nebraska farms each growing season. These pathogens can spread quickly under the right conditions. Left untreated, they can compromise a corn plant's ability to grow and [...]
Precision agriculture is revolutionizing the way Nebraska corn farmers grow their crops. By using advanced technology and data analytics, growers are able to maximize yields while minimizing waste. This new approach is helping Nebraska [...]
Corn planting and harvesting are a hive of activity on a farm, but the work doesn’t stop once seeds are in the ground. In the months after planting, a corn farmer spends long hours [...]
Growing corn requires hard work and careful attention to the needs of the plants — and a solid understanding of the corn stages of growth. These stages provide valuable insight into how the plant [...]
As renewable energy grows, ethanol remains a critical part in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles on our streets and highways. Much of the ethanol fuel used to reduce emissions is made from corn, [...]
With 2.4 billion gallons of ethanol produced in Nebraska each year, it's easy to see why the renewable biofuel commands so much attention. However, it's not the only important product created by the state's [...]
Corn planting is a challenging process. Farmers need to understand crop science, be excellent weather forecasters and rely on experience to choose the best time to plant corn. When the time is right, they [...]
In fields and research facilities across Nebraska, plant geneticists are working hard to develop hardier, higher-yielding varieties of corn. This behind-the-scenes work involves many hours in the field and in the lab, collecting and [...]
Planting season is a critical time for Nebraska's corn farmers, laying the foundation for the rest of the growing season. Thorough preparation is the key to successfully planting corn. It involves extensive work — [...]
In today’s world, many students have little to no direct connection to agriculture, even though they eat and use a wide variety of agricultural products every day. Even those who live in cities and towns [...]
When thinking of corn's impact on the U.S. food system, it's easy to picture corn on the cob and products made from corn like corn bread or tortilla chips. However, corn also plays a [...]
Agricultural carbon markets are a way for corn farmers to combat climate change while potentially unlocking new revenue streams. These markets allow farmers to earn carbon credits using climate-friendly sustainable farming methods—such as no-till [...]
Nebraska's corn farmers use many strategies to raise abundant crops while also protecting the environment. One of these sustainable farming practices is to use no-till farming methods. Sometimes called zero tillage farming, no-till farming [...]
Farmers work long hours during harvest, racing to get their crop out of the fields and to market or storage before winter. Even though it's a relief to get through harvest, farmers don't take the [...]
Nebraska is one of the leading corn producers in the country, ranking third in corn production and second in the manufacturing of ethanol, a biofuel made from corn. However, corn also fuels the state's thriving [...]
Real change happens when people unite for a common goal. By working together, we can create a stronger collective impact. Nebraska corn farmers do just that with the Nebraska corn checkoff program, which creates [...]
A growing number of Nebraska corn farmers are embracing the power of cover crops. By growing cover crops after their corn is harvested, farmers use living plants to reduce soil erosion, promote healthy soil [...]
Nebraska corn farmers use a range of specialized equipment to grow their crops and care for the land. Tractors equipped with GPS technology enable precise planting and field mapping, ensuring efficient use of resources. [...]
Harvest is one of the busiest times of year for Nebraska corn farmers, but the days and weeks after harvest are a critically important part of growing corn. Once the corn is harvested from [...]
Corn harvest is a busy time in Nebraska. Combines roll up and down the fields, emptying load after load of golden kernels into a waiting truck or grain cart. Then, the freshly harvested kernels [...]
For much of the year, corn leaves are a brilliant green color. Sunshine, water and nutrients grow the kernels to be used for food, fuel and everyday products. However, as the summer turns into [...]
The Nebraska Corn Board, now in its 34th year of sponsoring agricultural internships, is committed to educating the next generation of agricultural leaders. These paid internships, offered in partnership with key industry leader organizations, provide [...]
Everyone is trying to make good choices these days. When it comes to filling your tank at the pump, Unleaded 88 stands out as the smart choice for your wallet and your car! Also [...]
Corn's versatility never ceases to amaze! Corn truly is the plant that can change the planet! From the tech industry to earth-friendly plastics, corn derivatives play a crucial role in our daily lives. We [...]
When it comes to corn, many people are familiar with sweet corn, the delicious variety enjoyed fresh on the cob or in salads. However, the most plentiful kind of corn in the world is [...]
Irrigation is crucial for Nebraska's agricultural economy, providing corn and other crops water in a sustainable manner that protects the state's water supplies. Modern irrigation systems in Nebraska allow farmers to precisely water their [...]
Cultivating relationships is key to successfully marketing any product. In today's economy, that often means going global. The Nebraska Corn Board connects farmers with customers around the world through international trade missions. During these [...]
Family farms are the foundation of the agriculture industry and local communities around the world. The vast majority of farms in Nebraska are family owned and operated. Often, the same family has been farming and [...]
May is Nebraska Renewable Fuels Month, so it's a great time to learn more about the ethanol fuel options at the local gas station. Use this guide and video to discover what these ethanol [...]
The corn plant is a feat of natural engineering. It’s constructed of a variety of features that contribute to the plant’s growth, strength and productivity. From the stalk that serves as the plant’s backbone [...]
Sustainability is at the heart of modern agriculture and key to promoting responsible stewardship of natural resources to ensure the long-term viability of Nebraska’s family farms. One of the ways Nebraska’s corn farmers increase sustainability [...]
Along with harvesting, planting is one of the most important times of year for corn farmers. It sounds simple: prepare the field for planting and then put the seeds in the ground. However, deciding [...]
Corn is a versatile crop that finds numerous applications as food, fuel and feed. However, corn also has important uses in medicine. While health care may not immediately come to mind when people think [...]
The world is more interconnected than ever, and that’s especially true when it comes to corn farming and other forms of agriculture. By joining together with like-minded individuals and associations, the Nebraska Corn Board can [...]
When you stop at the gas station to top off your tank, how much thought do you put in to choosing the fuel that’s right for your car? For your wallet? For the environment? [...]
Each year, corn farmers in Nebraska and around the world face a multitude of factors that impact the cost of producing corn and the price they receive when selling their crop. Farmers take these [...]
In a world where we are more connected than ever, there’s a growing movement among consumers to know more about where food comes from. Amid this growing desire for transparency and sustainability, the idea [...]
Corn grown in Nebraska and other states has important uses in the United States and around the world. Corn is a major force in local and global markets, playing a vital role in countless [...]
In an ever-growing world with a continuously increasing population, farmers face the immense challenge of meeting the rising demand for food. Even more difficult, they must grow nutritious, tasty food — that sells for [...]
Nebraska is one of the top corn-producing states in the nation. In 2022, Nebraska corn farmers harvested more than 1.46 BILLION bushels. That’s a lot of corn! What happens to all that corn? How [...]
Biofuels like ethanol are the future of carbon-reducing, renewable energy solutions for our cars, trucks and sport-utility vehicles. Nowhere is the demand greater for ethanol than in the state of California. The ethanol Californians [...]
As the current farming population ages, there is a growing need to attract and train the next generation to ensure the future sustainability of the agricultural industry. The average age of in the United [...]
The corn harvest is moving along in Nebraska, and it won’t be long before piles of golden kernels are safely stored away and the fields are empty. But getting to that point takes a [...]
Wait a minute. There are hormones in carrots and corn? Corn. Carrots. Pigs. Dogs. Cats. Humans. They all depend on hormones to grow and function. Hormones occur naturally in every living thing, acting as [...]
Modern agriculture employs a wide array of tools and techniques to cultivate healthy and robust corn, soybeans and other crops. This includes sophisticated GPS-guided machinery for precision planting, innovative irrigation systems to provide crops with [...]
When many people think about jobs related to corn, they immediately think of the men and women who grow and harvest the crop. While that makes sense—corn farmers are at the core of the industry—the [...]
Worrying about the weather and scanning the skies for any possible sign of rain consumes the days—and sometimes, nights—of many farmers across the country. Corn and other crops need water to grow. In many [...]
As environmental awareness grows, consumers' preferences are increasingly shifting towards sustainable and eco-friendly products. This trend is also evident in the fuel industry. More and more consumers are searching for alternative biofuels like E15 [...]
Did you know that you can trace your bag of Frito-Lay corn chips back to a Nebraska family farm? At first glance, Gothenburg doesn’t appear to be much different from many other rural Nebraska [...]
If ever there were a season for corn, it would be summer. The fields are a brilliant green, the corn plants are starting to get tall and sweet corn is inching closer to maturity [...]
Two common fuels available at service stations around the country are Unleaded 88 and Super Unleaded. Both of these ethanol blends are excellent fuel sources that also are beneficial to the environment, but they [...]
Corn is nutrient-dense food that contains many surprising health benefits. That’s because corn contains many essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. In addition to being a rich source of carbohydrates and fiber, corn also contains [...]
1. Why do farmers detassel corn? Each corn plant has a spikey top filled with pollen called a tassel. Farmers sometimes remove the tassel, a process called detasseling, from some corn plants to control [...]
Corn farming and raising cattle go hand in hand, so it’s no surprise corn is an important part of a nutritious diet for beef cattle. Corn provides a well-balanced diet for the animals, which [...]
Flex fuel is a clean-burning, renewable and sustainable resource that can be blended with gasoline to reduce emissions and increase fuel efficiency for your vehicle. Using flex fuel reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up [...]
High fructose corn syrup has been a target of much criticism in recent years, with some suggesting that it is more dangerous than other sweeteners. However, the truth is it can be used to [...]
Drought can have a devastating effect on the yield of corn crops. When water is scarce in an area, the soil dries out and corn plants struggle to take up enough moisture to grow [...]
Ethanol is quickly becoming the fuel of the future. It's an eco-friendly choice that helps reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, while also supporting local farmers. Ethanol is most commonly produced from corn, [...]
Cattle have been eating corn for centuries. Not only does corn provide cattle with a good balance of proteins and carbohydrates, but its high levels of essential fatty acids make it a great choice [...]
Corn farming is a complex skill, one that benefits from a deep understanding of the land as well as adaptable planning. Farmers must understand the soil and nutrient requirements while also observing how conditions [...]
Corn is a staple in diets around the world and has been a vital source for nutrition for centuries. But despite the long history of corn and how important it is, there are probably [...]
For farmers, understanding and properly utilizing crop rotation is essential to having a successful agricultural operation. Crop rotation has been used for centuries but only recently have the long-term impacts of this practice become [...]
Corn products are an integral part of people’s daily lives, both here in the United States and around the world. But did you also know it’s the foundation of diets for many livestock animals? [...]
Corn farming is a rewarding career that provides a special way of life hard to find anywhere else. Farmers spend much of their time outdoors and are in tune with their land. Their job is [...]
Whenever you dip a crispy tortilla chip into guacamole or dig into a pile of buttered sweet corn, it’s a moment of deliciousness made possible by corn farmers. Chances are the corn in those [...]
In much of the country, a blanket of snow is a welcome, picturesque site. Snow-covered hills and ice glistening on tree branches does make for a lovely photo op, but it also can make [...]
For yet another year, much of the country faced hot and dry conditions during the summer. While these extended dry conditions were a hindrance or inconvenience to some, they are extremely challenging and potentially [...]
Corn is part of the everyday lives of people around the world. It’s in the food we eat, is often found in the fuel of the cars we drive and is a component in [...]
Many years ago, farming was a laborious and tedious process that involved walking behind a harnessed horse or mule as it pulled a single-blade plow, furrowing one row at a time. While the agricultural [...]
Corn is a versatile plant that feeds the world, supplying the food that consumers across the globe know and need. However, people aren’t the only ones who need nourishment to be healthy. Corn needs [...]
As the agricultural landscape continues to evolve, producers are looking for new and exciting ways to increase their yields while also conserving resources and limiting their impact on the environment. One of the ways they [...]
Corn is a staple crop across the world, used for food ingredients, animal feed, ethanol and a wide range of other uses. But field corn, especially the field corn grown across Nebraska, typically goes through [...]
For the vast majority of people, agriculture uses technology like tractors or combines. But did you know that today’s farmers use cutting-edge technology like lasers, robotics and intelligent software? With access to these tools, farmers [...]
When people think of cutting edge-technology, they tend to think of big companies like Google or Amazon in big cities. But innovative tools have their place in every industry, including rural industries like agriculture. [...]
Nebraska is the third largest corn-producing state in the United States. But what happens to all the corn our farmers grow? While some of it is exported internationally, much of Nebraska’s corn actually stays [...]
In 2021, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) reported farmers experienced a near-record high for corn production. U.S. growers produced 15.1 billion bushels, NASS said, which is the second-highest production [...]
Farmers, like those in Nebraska, have a vested interest in protecting the environment. They use a wide range of tools and strategies to safeguard the soil, water, air quality and more. After all, healthy [...]
From being used as a food source for Native Americans to being an integral part of many everyday products, corn's use has evolved greatly over time. The first record of corn being used as [...]
Through advancements in technology, genetics and management, today’s farmers in Nebraska and across the country can grow more corn with less impact on the environment. That means they’re using less fertilizer, water and land [...]
Air pollution poses a major threat to the environment and to our health. In fact, the World Health Organization says poor outdoor air quality is linked to increased risk of stroke, heart disease, lung cancer and chronic [...]
Few crops are as versatile as corn. This humble grain is a key ingredient in many of your favorite foods. It can be found in products like cereal, salad dressings, ice cream and even [...]
As farmers grow and raise the food we eat, they also work to keep the natural environment as untouched as possible. One of the most important ways they do this is by protecting local rivers, [...]
People unfamiliar with farming might assume that fertilizer is the only way to improve the growth and overall health of crops like corn. While fertilizer can be a useful tool, farmers are resourceful and often [...]
Everyone with a car, lawn mower, motorcycle or other gasoline-powered machinery is feeling the pressure at the pump. Gas prices have remained high for several weeks (or months) now and they don’t seem to [...]
As more people become engaged with where their food comes from and who is growing it, a central question comes into focus: Are we doing the best we can with the resources we have? [...]
Q: What does it mean to “conserve water”? Denise: Conserving water means not using more water than necessary for any given purpose. For example, we use shade structures to keep our cattle cool [...]
Q: Why should we care if soil is healthy? Ruth: Healthy soil sustains our world’s food supply. When soil is healthy, the ecosystem within the soil has the optimum levels of structure, living organisms, [...]
sus•tain•a•bil•i•ty (noun) Supplying a growing world with food, fuel, feed and fiber — while safeguarding its resources for future generations. Our world’s natural resources matter. The agriculture industry depends upon clean water, soil and [...]
Q: Is livestock destroying the atmosphere? Diane: When it comes to livestock emissions, the most common misconception I see is the idea that cattle are a major contributor to greenhouse gases and [...]
Crystal raises cattle and crops with her family outside Columbus, Nebraska. Q: What is the difference between family farming and corporate farming? Crystal: I think sometimes when people hear the [...]
All of us want to ensure the food we’re feeding our families is safe to eat. Occasionally, food labels increase confusion about the safety of substances such as added hormones and antibiotics. Let’s explore [...]
What’s the difference between grass and grain-fed beef? Sharon: The difference between grass and grain-fed beef boils down to what the animals eat. For at least part of their lives, all cattle on our [...]
You deserve to know that your food is safe and that it has been raised humanely. Dairy farmer Melisa Konecky from Wahoo, Nebraska, and poultry producer Karah Perdue from York, Nebraska, address concerns about [...]
Q: Should we be concerned about how animals are treated on the farm? Melisa: I love hearing that people care about the well-being and treatment of animals. Farmers, as a whole, have great respect [...]
Q&A with CommonGround CommonGround is a national movement driven by farm women, whose mission is to share information about agriculture and how food is grown and raised. We caught up with CommonGround volunteer [...]
Matthew Brugger will never forget the day he realized that his family’s line of work is different. It was the morning of his grandfather’s funeral. A morning when it would have been perfectly [...]
As our nation’s urban areas grow, consumers in the grocery store are increasingly separated from the producers who grow the meat, fruit and vegetables they buy there. While consumers are sometimes able to purchase food directly from the [...]
How two brothers are closing the gap between their farm and your table Brugger brothers Joe and Matthew were born to work together – perhaps just like their dad and uncle before them, and [...]
For farmers and ranchers, prioritizing sustainability extends far beyond their own land. That’s how a unique initiative called Farmers for Monarchs was born. Farmers for Monarchs is a collaborative effort that includes farmers, ranchers, [...]
All healthy crops have to start somewhere. To be more specific – the ground. But hearty, high yielding crops can’t just sprout in any patch of dirt. In fact, “dirt” is really just the [...]
Conservation-centered agricultural practices are restorative for ecosystems above and below the Earth’s surface – and this is nothing new! Keith Byerly is a field manager with the Soil Health Partnership (SHP) [...]
You’ve surely seen the headlines. In recent years, the carbon footprint of livestock production has received a fair amount of criticism from environmentalists, journalists and even legislators. Some consumers have cited it as a [...]
Irrigation is almost as old as farming is. As irrigation techniques advance, water conservation is the key to maintaining robust world food production. The goal of water conservation is not rocket science: be precise [...]
When you stop at the gas station to top off your tank, how much thought do you put in to choosing the fuel that’s right for your car? For your wallet? For the environment? [...]
Agriculture’s environmental footprint affects all of usHowever, it’s an especially high priority for the men and women who live and work within the agricultural supply chain. In 2006, a diverse group including farmers, researchers, restaurant [...]
Nebraska is better situated in terms of corn, livestock and ethanol than any other state in the nation. Together, these three components form “Nebraska’s Golden Triangle,” which serves as a powerful economic engine for [...]
Popcorn has always been an important part of Norm Krug’s story. His father grew it for 40 years. To Norm, popcorn symbolizes quality time spent with family; gathered around an evening television program, enjoying [...]
The Problem Petroleum-based plastics are created using a man-made polymer called polyethylene terephthalate (or PET). Unlike other biodegradable materials such as food, or even newspapers, PET does not break down when exposed to the [...]
Breeding practices have been used for centuries to improve the usefulness of animals to humans—as sources of food, as a means of transportation, a way to get work done, or simply for companionship. “If [...]
It’s a unique combination of virtual farming and real life—with the winners claiming some very nice cash prizes. It’s called TAPS, Testing Ag Performance Solutions, an innovative competition created by Nebraska Extension that pits [...]
When you pull up to a flex fuel pump, there are a lot of options—and American Ethanol is responsible for providing most of them. The result is a wide range of choices—and a lot [...]
Straight answers to key questions about Nebraska’s clean air fuel. Nebraska’s ethanol industry is a major economic driver for the state: • Nebraska is the nation’s second largest ethanol producer with 2.18 billion [...]
When Taylor Nelson of Jackson, Nebraska, graduated from UNL in 2012, the farm economy was on fire. Rents and land values were increasing at an unprecedented rate and farmers were snapping up every opportunity [...]
Many people are surprised to learn that 99% of farms in America are family-owned. That statistic flies in the face of those who believe that we’ve “lost” the traditional family farm to large “corporate [...]
Sarah Greer has always had farming in her blood. “When I graduated from high school, people asked me what I wanted to do when I got out of college. I said I [...]
Aquamart: Positioning agriculture as a leader in water management Agriculture is the largest user of water not only in Nebraska, but around the globe. However, there are other stakeholders such as municipalities, recreation, wildlife, [...]
Q&A: The facts behind Nebraska’s tremendous groundwater resources What is an aquifer? An aquifer is an underground layer of permeable or “leaky” rock. The mixture of sediment and rock in these layers contains many holes [...]
Nebraska farmers working with leading environmental group to improve water efficiency. Farmers and environmental groups are frequently at odds with each other and don’t always see eye to eye. But that is changing in [...]
In 1978, the Nebraska Legislature established the Nebraska corn checkoff. In fact, it was the first corn checkoff in the nation to be approved. But it was corn farmers who led the charge. Forty [...]
That’s why trade matters to Nebraska’s ag economy. With the productivity of U.S. agriculture growing faster than domestic demand, U.S. farmers and agricultural firms rely heavily on export markets to sustain prices and revenues. [...]
Ever wonder why more and more farmers are leaving “trash” in their fields after harvest? Those cornstalks, corn cobs and leaves are called “residue”— and they are helping farmers improve soil quality and manage [...]
“The key to soil health is to strike the right balance between all of these components.” Soil health is defined as the continued capacity of a soil to function as a vital living [...]
U.S. agricultural exports have been larger than U.S. agricultural imports since 1960, generating a surplus in U.S. agricultural trade. This surplus helps counter the persistent deficit in non-agricultural U.S. merchandise trade. At the same [...]
