Tag: Nebraska
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Extreme Drought and Hard Freezes Stunt Nebraska Winter Wheat
April 30, 2026 NORTH PLATTE, NE — Cattle and grain producers in central and western Nebraska are facing a critical early-season challenge as extreme drought (D3) conditions persist across the region. According to the latest data from the U.S. Drought Monitor, unseasonably warm temperatures followed by recent hard freezes have left 65% of the state’s…
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Pillen Signs LB 1187 to Overhaul Nebraska Brand Committee and Fees
New Nebraska Brand Law Signed to Modernize Cattle Inspection and GovernanceLINCOLN — Governor Jim Pillen has officially signed LB 1187, a landmark overhaul of the Nebraska Livestock Brand Act designed to settle long-standing industry disputes. The new law expands the Nebraska Brand Committee from five to seven members, specifically adding representatives for cattle feeders and…
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Wildfires Scorch Thousands of Acres Across Nebraska and South Dakota
Apr 23, 2026High winds and extreme drought conditions ignited at least 11 separate wildfires across the Western Corn Belt and Sandhills on Wednesday. The largest blaze, the Andrews Fire in Nebraska’s Samuel R. McKelvie National Forest, has chared 2,500 acres with zero containment as of Thursday morning. Neighboring South Dakota also faced multiple outbreaks, including the 350-acre…
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Nebraska brand bill advances again
LINCOLN, Neb. — A major update to Nebraska’s livestock brand laws moved another step forward Wednesday, as state senators voted 36–4 to advance the measure toward final passage. The proposal would make several changes to how cattle ownership is verified and regulated in the state. Among the key provisions is an increase in the brand…
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BREAKING: Fire Causes Evacuations and Road Closures across the Sandhills
Wildfires Continue to Burn Across Nebraska Sandhills UPDATE: 3/27/2026 – Fire crews remain active in the Nebraska Sandhills near Hyannis as wildfire conditions continue to challenge containment efforts and impact local ranch operations. Officials report that dry grass, gusty winds and low humidity have kept fire behavior unpredictable in the region. While some progress has…
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Wildfires Ravage Plains, Relief Efforts Mobilize for Producers
Wildfires across Nebraska and Oklahoma are continuing to impact rural communities, with multiple large fires burning across pastureland, timber and agricultural operations, prompting evacuations and widespread damage. In Nebraska, several major fires have combined to create one of the most significant wildfire events in state history. The Cottonwood Fire in central Nebraska has burned more…