F E B R U A R Y 2013

USDA issues strong farm income reportBy ROBERT POREWorld-Herald News Service

Despite concernsabout the ongoingdrought, the U.S. De-partment of Agricul-ture is optimistic thatagriculture will bestrong financially in2013.

A report issued by theUSDA on Feb. 11 saidthat, after adjusting forinflation, 2013’s net farmincome is forecast at$128.2 billion. Thatwould be the highestsince 1973. The forecastis based on the assump-tion that a return totrend yields will lead torecord crop productionlevels and result in sub-stantial year-end cropinventories. Accordingto the USDA’s reasoning,“This would lead to

higher net farm incomesince this measure goesbeyond cash income toinclude the value of in-ventory change and oth-er non-cash items.”

During the last fiveyears, Nebraska cornand soybean crops havebeen setting productionrecords, but the droughtlast year reduced yieldsand production. Goinginto 2013, drought condi-tions continue with con-cerns about the lack ofmoisture reserves forgrass production thisyear, along with drylandcrop production.

But strong crop andlivestock prices havehelped Nebraska’s andGrand Island’s economy.Despite the ongoingdrought, taxable sales inGrand Island could beclose to $1 billion. Fig-

ures from the NebraskaDepartment of Revenueshow that taxable saleswere $81.6 million inGrand Island in Novem-ber, up 6.4 percent fromthe previous year andthe highest taxable salesin Grand Island’s histo-ry for November.

Ethanol has been astrong driver in highercrops prices because ofthe extra demand it hascreated for corn sincethe federal governmentimplemented the Re-newable Fuels Act in2007. However, the ongo-ing drought has also in-fluenced supply and de-mand. While input costshave been high for farm-ers and ranchers,statewide average pricesfor Nebraska’s principalcrops “ corn, soybeans,wheat and hay “ were all

up in January from theprevious year.

In response to theUSDA’s Economic Re-search Service report,USDA Secretary TomVilsack called the fore-cast “the strongest netfarm income in fourdecades” and “anotherpositive testament to theresilience and produc-tivity of U.S. farmersand ranchers.”

Vilsack said Ameri-can agriculture “contin-ues to endure an his-toric drought withtremendous resolve, andlast year was an impor-tant reminder of theneed for a strong safetynet.”

“The commitment ofAmerican producers toembrace innovation andadapt to new challengeshas helped fuel growth

for American agricul-ture over the past fiveyears,” Vilsack said. “Iam also heartened thatour farmers’ keen busi-ness sense is continuingthe recent trend ofstrong farm finances,with farm equity set toreach another recordhigh in 2013.”

According to theUSDA report, net cashincome “ which meas-ures the difference be-tween cash expensesand the combination ofcommodities sold dur-ing the calendar yearplus other sources offarm income “ is fore-cast at $123.5 billion.That would be down al-most 9 percent from 2012but would be the fourthtime net cash income,after adjusting for infla-tion, has exceeded $100billion since 1973.

The USDA report saysthe projected $19.2 bil-

lion increase in total ex-penses in 2013 continuesa “string of large year-to-year movementssince 2002, and expensesare forecast to establisha record high.” Rent, la-bor and feed are the ex-pense items expected toincrease the most in2013, according to theUSDA.

The USDA report saysfarm-sector assets, debtand equity are all fore-cast to increase in 2013.

“As in the last severalyears, increases infarm-asset value are ex-pected to exceed in-creases in farm debt,with farm real estate themain driving force,” thereport says. Confirmingthe strength of the farmsector’s solvency, boththe debt-to-asset ratioand debt-to-equity ratioare expected to reachhistoric lows, the reportsays.

Forecast calls for highest year in 2013 since 1973

Climate change could bring extreme weather to Midwest

By NANCY GAARDERWorld-Herald News Service

Good riddance.That’s about the nicestthing Nebraskafarmer Keith Dittrichcan say about 2012.

The year had startedout promising.

The warmest springon record allowedbrothers Keith andJohn Dittrich, whofarm in northeast Ne-braska’s Madison andAntelope Counties, toget in their fields theearliest ever. But therock-hard ground re-fused to take the seed.

April rains softenedthe earth, and the Dit-trichs planted on time.

Then came back-to-

back hailstorms andscorching drought asNebraska headed intoits hottest, driest yearon record. A freak Oc-tober windstormcapped off 2012, level-ing corn curing in theDittrichs’ field.

“I guess it’s just partof the new norm,” Kei-th Dittrich said.

Then he added:“‘New norm’ doesn’texpress fully enoughmy real concern forwhat is happening.”

The Earth is warm-ing eight times fasterunder human influ-ence than it typicallyhas from the depth ofan ice age to the mid-dle of a warm epoch,

according to a majorfederal report pub-lished in January.

The National Cli-mate Assessment, re-leased in draft form,says the resulting cli-mate change willbring increasingly er-ratic weather to themidcontinent region,which includes Ne-braska and Iowa.That’s because theMidlands are caughtbetween a northernand eastern UnitedStates that is becom-ing wetter, and a west-ern and southern U.S.that is becomingwarmer and drier.

“We sit in a kind ofbattleground,” saidGene Takle, a profes-sor of agriculture me-teorology at Iowa StateUniversity who helpedauthor the report’schapter on agricul-ture. “That’s why theextremes in this re-

gion likely will be ex-acerbated from whatwe’ve experienced.”

Takle is among theresearchers in Lincolnon Feb. 4 to explain thefindings and hear

from the public. Thefederally sponsoredsession at the Univer-sity of Nebraska-Lin-coln is one of eight na-tionally, each serving adifferent region.

Don Wilhite, UNLprofessor of appliedclimate science, saidthe university sought

the opportunity toserve as host for theGreat Plains session.Wilhite credited theuniversity’s success inlanding the meeting toits reputation in cli-

mate research. UNL ishome to the

National DroughtMitigation Center andHigh Plains RegionalClimate Center.

On balance, agricul-ture has benefitedfrom climate changeover the past 40 years,Takle said. That trend

should continue forthe near future, hesaid.

Global warming hasaccounted for aboutone-third of improvedyields in Iowa bylengthening the grow-ing season and ex-panding the rangewhere crops can beplanted, Takle said.Farm managementand technological ad-vances also have im-proved yields.

Farmers should beable to weather chal-lenges of the near fu-ture with their provenresiliency, accordingto Takle and the reportproject. But theyadded that technology,government policyand private financingmay not be nimbleenough to soften theworsening blows ofclimate change.

Global warming has accountedfor portion of improved yieldsby lengthening growing season

Please see CCLLIIMMAATTEE, Page 12

“ ”“We sit in a kind of battleground.That’s why the extremes in this regionlikely will be exacerbated from whatwe’ve experienced.”

� GENE TAKLE, PROFESSOR OF AGRICULTURE

METEROLOGY, IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY,ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE

State climatologist: Drought silver lining or extension?

By LORI POTTER

World-Herald News Service

KEARNEY — Withincolor-coded climatecondition maps, in-cluding a DroughtMonitor showing ex-treme to exceptionaldrought hanging omi-nously over Nebraska,Al Dutcher sees a pos-sible silver lining.

As with most silverlinings, its appearancedepends on clouds.

Dutcher, the Univer-sity of Nebraska-Lin-coln state climatolo-gist, told participantsat the 25th-annual Gov-ernor’s Ag Conferencein Kearney Tuesdaythat he sees some

changing weather pat-terns that give himhope for spring precip-itation.

One sign is cold airin the northern Plainsand warm air to thesouth that could pro-duce the springtimeclashes of air massesrequired for storms inNebraska.

“We need that to hap-pen in the months ofMarch, April, May andJune,” Dutcher said.“If not, I can certainlysay it is likely thatwe’ll see a droughtgreater than last year.”

He’s still advising agproducers to have 2013drought plans ready, ifneeded. “The rains

have always come backat some time in the fu-ture, and that gives ushope,” Dutcher said.

It’s a good sign of les-sons learned fromdrought in the early2000s that conservationprecautions already arebeing taken, he said,singling out Central Ne-braska Public PowerDistrict officials who al-ready implemented ir-rigation allocations tosave water in Lake Mc-Conaughy.

Even with a wetspring, it could takeyears to reverse the cur-rent huge soil moisturedepletions, he added.

Only rain this spring will give the answer This Oct. 4, 2012, filephoto shows un-harvest-ed corn in a field nearCouncil Bluffs, Iowa. Corngrowers had high hopesgoing into the 2012 plant-ing season but thedrought that began lastspring hit the corn crophard. As a result, cornprices skyrocketed andcorn has become scarcein some regions, forcing20 ethanol plants aroundthe country to halt pro-duction. Most are not ex-pected to resume produc-tion until after 2013 cornis harvested in late Au-gust or September.

The Associated PressPlease see SSTTAATTEE, Page 5

Dutcher said that drysoil is a major reasondrought would be moresevere in 2013 than inrecord-setting 2012.That has huge implica-tions for Nebraskaagriculture rangingfrom lost dryland cropsand the expense ofnon-stop irrigating to alack of forages and wa-ter for livestock andeven more damagefrom wildfires.

In December, the U.S.Department of Agri-culture’s Risk Manage-ment Agency said in-demnity payments forcrop losses nationwidehad reached $8 billionin 2012. By Nov. 26, thetotal for Nebraska was$544 million, with $502million because ofdrought, heat and drywind that affectedmore than 2 millioncrop acres.

Dutcher reviewedsome weather signs towatch, starting withsnow in the RockyMountains of centralColorado and southernWyoming that pro-duces the Platte Riverheadwaters. “Snow-pack is everything,” hesaid. “... In every majordrought, if the snow-pack is less than 80 per-cent by May 1, we’re go-ing to have problems inwestern Nebraska.”

Currently, it’s atabout 65 percent inboth the North Platte

and South Plattebasins. Dutcher saidthat even if it jumpedto 150 percent of nor-mal in the typicallywetter months betweennow and May 1, it prob-ably would produceonly about 80 percent ofnormal streamflows.

“So we have a ways togo,” he said.

Meanwhile, reducedwinter streamflowsprobably have pushedthe Republican Basininto extreme drought,Dutcher said.

There has been abreak in Eastern CornBelt drought condi-tions, he said, withsome of that reliefbacking toward thewest.

Winter temperaturesalso indicate a change.

Dutcher explainedthat a warm 2011-2012winter in the GreatPlains caused the cropseason to move upabout a month, openingthe soil to dry condi-tions. With the excep-tion of November, thewestern United Stateshas been colder thannormal this winter, hesaid.

There also is a recentpattern of more stormtroughs moving eastmore slowly from thePacific Northwest.Dutcher said that couldprovide the time need-ed for Gulf moisture toreach into the Nebras-ka when those systemsarrive.

Another key, espe-cially for the extremely

dry Sandhills, is get-ting the air in easternNew Mexico andsouthern Colorado“wetted up,” he added.

There also might behelp from fartheraway. Dutcher said acold patch of waterhas formed along theEquator off SouthAmerica and into thePacific Ocean, whichis a classic La Ninapattern that usuallycreates a strongernorthern jet streamand more snowstorms.

It’s perfect timingfor that as the RockyMountains and north-ern Plains emergefrom their driest sea-son of the year andmove into what shouldbe the wettest season,he said. Snowstormsat the end of wintercan feed into neededMay and June thun-derstorms.

All these conditionscan happen, Dutchersaid. The question iswhether they will hap-pen.

In the short term, heexpects the secondhalf of February tofeature cold air com-ing into the centralPlains from Canadaand there is anotherstorm system on theway.

“This is a verypromising pattern.But understand that ifit doesn’t develop inthe next three months,we’ll have a lot ofproblems,” Dutchersaid.

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Industry advocate tirelessly praises the product he raises

By DAVID HENDEE World-Herald News Service

PILGER — This bitewas hard to swallow.

Nebraska cattlemanJ.D. Alexander was at abeef industry policymeeting in Denver lastsummer when helearned that the U.S. De-partment of Agriculturehad launched a “Meat-less Monday” promotionat its headquarters cafe-terias in Washington,D.C.

Alexander, a Pilgercattle feeder, was notamused. He was presi-dent of the National Cat-tlemen’s Beef Associa-tion, a trade associationand advocate for morethan 230,000 cattle breed-ers, producers and feed-ers.

Needless to say, theword “meatless” isnowhere to be found inthe association’s 161-page policy menu.Alexander, a former col-lege linebacker, went onthe offensive.

He said the USDA ini-tiative called into ques-tion the agency’s com-mitment to Americanfarmers and ranchers.He said USDA apparent-ly didn’t understandhow hard rural Americais working to feed agrowing global popula-tion in an environmen-tally sustainable way.

In Alexander’s world,American beef shouldbe on plates around theglobe. He says U.S. beefhas never been betterpositioned to maintain aplace on consumers’plates, even thoughMother Nature isn’thelping much to getmore meat intokitchens. “If drought re-mains, it will be a chal-lenge,” he said.

Add more exports toJapan to the equationand the outlook ismurky for how U.S. cat-tlemen will meet domes-tic and global demand

Alexander has trav-eled extensively acrossthe United States and

around the world as abeef ambassador sincereturning nearly 30years ago to his north-east Nebraska, family-owned feedlot operation— Alexander Cattle &Farms. His latest stopwas Tampa, Fla., for anannual trade show thatwas his last hurrah asthe association’s presi-dent.

Alexander doesn’tplay behind the line ofscrimmage. He prefersto be on the front linesof defending his indus-try.

“If you’re not at thetable,” he says, “you’reon the menu.”

The beef industry isbig business. Annualcash receipts for cattleand calves rank No. 1among Nebraska agri-cultural commodities at$7.2 billion. No otherstate produces more redmeat each year, withcommercial productiontopping 7.16 billionpounds in 2011. Iowaranks second with 6.59

billion pounds of redmeat production;Kansas is a distantthird.

Exports are expectedto pack more muscleonto those numbers incoming years.

A new agreementwith Japan that took ef-fect Feb. 1 is estimated toyield hundreds of mil-lions of dollars in addi-

tional beef exports.Japan’s previously re-stricted market nowmatches most of the restof the world and allowsimports of meat andbyproducts from cattleunder 30 months of age.

Japan first bannedand then restricted U.S.beef imports after onecow with bovine spongi-form encephalopathywas found in the UnitedStates in 2003.

“When Japan closedits market, they cut usoff completelyovernight,” Alexandersaid. “We lost 10 percentof our business. We’vebeen working for nearly10 years now to get thatback.”

World trade andhealth organizationshave recognized U.S. an-imal health and food

safety initiatives and la-beled America as a min-imal risk for so-calledmad cow disease. Re-bounding beef exportsreflect worldwide ac-ceptance of the safetyand quality of U.S. beef,Alexander said.

Now, the challenge isproducing enough of itduring deep drought inthe nation’s cattle coun-try to supply domesticand global markets, es-

pecially now that Japanexpanded access to itsmarket.

Through November2012, Japan was the sec-ond-largest export mar-ket for U.S. beef. Sales ofnearly 130,000 metrictons totaled $849 mil-lion. The U.S. Meat Ex-port Federation predictsbeef exports to Japan tohit $1.5 billion this year.

Japan’s decision —coupled with WhiteHouse approval of long-delayed free-trade agree-ments with Colombia,Panama and South Ko-rea in October — shouldgive a boost to U.S. pro-ducers facing drought,high costs of productionand increasing federalregulation, Alexandersaid.

Trade agreements in-crease beef demand andprofitability.

Still, record-highprices currently paid bypacking plants for cattleisn’t translating intoprofitability for cattle-men, Alexander said.Higher costs of machin-ery, labor, land andyoung cattle to feed are

President of National Cattlemen’s Beef Associationnot amused by USDA’s ‘Meatless Monday’ program

“ ”“If you’re not at the table, you’re onthe menu.”

� J.D. ALEXANDER, PRESIDENT, NATIONAL

CATTLEMEN’S BEEF ASSOCIATION,ABOUT DEFENDING BEEF INDUSTRY

Please see PPRRAAIISSEESS, Page 7

combining to drain dol-lars out of the beef busi-ness, he said.

Last summer, a his-toric drought creptnorth out of Texas intothe central Plains andCorn Belt to ambush thecattle industry. Drought-devastated fields pro-duced less and costliercorn for feeding live-stock. Ranchers withoutpasture grass or cornthinned their herds bysending them to slaugh-ter. The nation’s herd isthe smallest in 60 years,Alexander said.

His own business is a2,000-acre corn, soybeanand alfalfa farm thatmarkets about 12,000head of cattle from hisfinishing feedlot eachyear. He buys yearlingcattle that weigh about850 pounds and feedsthem a 40-pound dailyration of corn, anethanol byproduct, alfal-fa and other roughage.The cattle gain about 3.7pounds per day. Theyare sent to slaughterwhen they weigh about1,400 pounds.

Alexander ships cattlefrom his feedlot weeklyto any of five majormeatpackers within a100-mile radius. He alsotries to buy cattle week-ly. The regular buy-sellcycle is his hedgeagainst wildly fluctuat-ing prices.

Cattlemen, like mostfarmers, don’t controlthe price of their prod-uct.

“We have to take whatsomebody is willing togive us,” Alexandersaid. “It would be easyif we could say here’swhat I paid for it, here’smy production cost andhere’s what I have tohave for it — and they’dpay us. That’s not theway our industryworks. There’s a lot oftimes that we don’tmake a lot of money.”

Despite record-highprices currently paidby packers and the av-erage price of choicebeef costing consumersa record $5 per pound,cattle feeders are losing$50 to $100 a head whenthey sell animals forslaughter, said Beth Do-ran, an Iowa State Uni-versity extension beef

program specialist.Doran said cattle feed-

ers also are feeling pres-sure on the demand sideof the business as con-sumers juggle highertaxes and fuel and gro-cery costs into theirbudgets.

Despite liquidation ofcattle herds, whichflooded the market withmeat, beef price infla-

tion was strong lastyear. Beef prices wereup 4.6 percent, accord-ing to the USDA. (Porkand poultry prices alsowere up.) Grocery storeprices are expected toincrease 3 percent to 4percent this year andinflation is expected toremain strong for mostanimal-based food prod-ucts because of higher

feed costs.Alexander said higher

beef and other meat pro-tein prices for con-sumers are inevitable asthe supply shrinks.

“There’s risk in that,”he said. “What level willbe too much for them?There are opportunitiesfor the consumer to savemoney by shopping insmart ways, but the high

price of cattle or beefdoes not guarantee prof-itability to cattlemen.”

Alexander said it’s notuncommon for cattle-men to sell their ani-mals at a loss.

“You just hope thatduring the long run,over the year, that you’llhave an opportunity to

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Beet campaignending on highnote this month

By SANDRA HANSEN

World-Herald News Service

Barring unforeseencircumstances, the 161-day sugar beet harvestand processing cam-paign will wind downon Feb. 19. The winterweather forecast forthis weekend is not ex-pected to cause any de-lays.

According to JerryDarnell, Western Sug-ar Cooperative Nebras-ka area agriculturemanager, it has been agood campaign.

“The Torrington andScottsbluff plants haveperformed well, andthe piles have held up,in spite of the warmtemperatures in lateNovember and earlyDecember.”

This fall, the compa-ny invested in a venti-lator system for onepile of beets at Scotts-bluff and one at Hem-ingford, for a total of100,000 tons. The com-puter controlled sys-tem held the beets atfavorable tempera-tures through the win-ter.

“It’s going to be in-teresting to see whatwe get from them,”Darnell said Thursdayafternoon.

The storage qualityof the beets is impor-tant in determining re-turns to the farmers.Extended campaignscan result in lowerquality. During the re-cent Big 6 growermeetings, Western an-nounced that company

wide, farmers had pro-duced 340,000 moretons of beets this yearon 2,000 fewer acresthan last year.

Part of the reasonfor increased produc-tion is the availabilityof Roundup Readybeets. In response tothe new situation, Dar-nell said Nebraskagrowers will be subjectto an 87 percent alloca-tion next year.

Another issue is theflood of sugar on thedomestic market thathas resulted in lowerprices for sugar overthe past few years.

These issues, amongothers, were on theagenda of the annualmembership meetingof the Nebraska Non-Stock Beet GrowersAssociation on Feb. 11.

Featured speaker forthe evening was KevinHall, past chairman ofthe Western Sugar Co-operative Board of Di-rectors. Prior to themeeting, Hall, aBridgeport area grow-er, announced his res-ignation, effective atthe January gatheringof the cooperative’sstakeholders inBillings, Mont. He wasa board member for 12years, and chairmanfor nine.

Nick Lapaseotes, aboard member andBridgeport areafarmer, was electedboard chairman. Alsoelected to the coopera-tive board during themeeting was MarkKimmel of Alliance.

Farmers produced 340,000more tons of beets thisyear on 2,000 fewer acres

Authors discussfuture of farming,organics

LINCOLN (AP) — Theauthors of a book aboutthe future of farmingtalked in Lincoln abouthow organic farming and

genetic research can helpfeed the world.

Pam Ronald and her hus-band, Raoul Adamchak,were the featured speakersat the University of Ne-braska-Lincoln’s Heuer-mann Lecture on Feb. 12.

They wrote “Tomorrow’s

Table: Organic Farming,Genetics and the Future ofFood.”

The couple works at theUniversity of California-Davis campus. Ronald doesgenetic research on plants,and Adamchak teaches or-ganic agriculture and runs

a 5-acre student farm.UNL Vice Chancellor

Ronnie Green says thespeech was welcome oncampus because the worldis struggling to figure outhow to feed everyone with-out damaging the environ-ment.

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take some profit,” hesaid. “That’s why wewelcome the new openmarkets in Japan.”

Increased sales toJapan won’t take beefoff American dinner ta-bles, because a signifi-cant share of the Japan-ese demand is for prod-ucts not favored in theUnited States, such astongue and heart,Alexander said.

“They don’t take allthe muscle meats thatwe sell in our domesticmarket,” he said.

Rebounding from thedrought and expandingthe nation’s herd is vi-tal if the industry is toremain sustainable,Alexander said. Pack-

ing plants have excessshackle space in theirslaughter operations.Feedlots have unusedfeed bunks.

“To make these oper-ations run, you’ve got tohave the numbers tomake them efficientand run a good busi-ness,” Alexander said.

Alexander said heworries that if thedrought continues, thedemand for beef mayexceed supply.

“The one thing you donot wish to happen is topromote your productand then you can’t sup-ply it,” he said. “That’swhy we hope thedrought is a one anddone in our area.”

Alexander said U.S.beef — especially itscorn-fed niche — iswidely viewed around

the world as a premierproduct. He saidthrough scientific re-search, nutrition educa-tion and increased leanbeef availability, cattle-men are committed tohelping Americans en-joy lean beef as part ofa healthful diet. The Na-tional Cattleman’s BeefAssociation supportsfederal guidelines thatcall for Americans toeat lean meats.

USDA and independ-ent research indicatesAmericans are not eat-ing too much beef.Americans, on average,eat 1.7 ounces of beefdaily. Federal dietaryguidelines recommendadults eat 3.7 ounces ofmeat, poultry or eggsper day.

That’s why, Alexan-der said, he pounced so

quickly on the USDA“Meatless Monday”promotion.

The campaign ap-peared in a five-pageUSDA “greening”newsletter that fea-tured informationabout recycling, ener-gy-efficient lights,demonstration gardensshowcasing sustain-able landscaping prac-tices, such as usingrain barrels to save wa-ter, and the headquar-ters food service.

The promotion citeda United Nations re-port that animal agri-culture is a majorsource of greenhousegases and climatechange and wastes wa-ter, fertilizer, fossil fu-els and pesticides. Itcited health concernsrelated to excessive

consumption of meat.And it encouraged

employees to go meat-less one day a week tohelp the environment.

Agriculture Secre-tary Tom Vilsack quick-ly nixed the promotionand by that afternoonwas on the phone toAlexander. An apolo-getic Vilsack — a for-mer Iowa governor —said two USDA employ-ees started the initia-tive without his knowl-edge or approval.

The next week,Alexander met with Vil-sack in Washington.Alexander said theyhad a cordial meetingand discussed a widerange of agriculturaland rural issues.

Vilsack spent hoursin following weeksstamping out the smol-

dering meat fire. Hetold one interviewerthat he called in super-visors of the employeesand “read them the riotact” and was certainthat the responsible in-dividuals had the riotact read to them.

Alexander said cattle-men were upset be-cause the lean beef theyproduce easily fits intofederal dietary guide-lines established by theUSDA.

“When you’re theleader, you take greatpride in it and want tocontinue to do it,” hesaid. “It was very disap-pointing and discourag-ing. When your ownAgriculture Depart-ment starts observing ameatless Monday,there’s somethingwrong.”

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Irrigation was a cru-cial piece of technolo-gy to the Dittrichspulling in a 2012 har-vest.

“Amazingly aboveaverage wherever wecould give the cropsenough water” is howKeith Dittrich de-scribed last year’syields. “But below av-erage if water wasshort, and disastrouson dry land produc-tion.”

By 2050, when thegrandchildren of to-day’s young farmershead to the fields, theeffects of climatechange will turn in-creasingly hostile, ac-cording to the report.The United States gen-erates $300 billion inagriculture commodi-ties and all will be vul-nerable to climatechange, according tothe report.

Farming will not col-lapse. But if Takle hadany advice for some-one wanting to pass afarm on to future gen-erations it would be toprotect soil and its

ability to hold water.That’s what Ben

Steffen, a longtimesoutheast Nebraskafarmer, and his familyhave been doing forthree generations: no-till farming, covercrops, terraces.

“I was raised to con-sider the potential fu-ture impacts of whatI’m doing here, to tryto be good stewards,”Steffen said.

While Keith Dittrichis convinced of the sci-ence of climatechange, Steffen wantsto learn more.

“I don’t know whatthe impact of climatechange is on my place,but I’m accustomed todealing with variabili-ty,” Steffen said.

Keith Dittrich, co-chairman of theAmerican Corn Grow-ers, said the stakeshave become too highfor farmers not to en-gage on the topic ofclimate change.

“Farmers have al-ways been skeptical ofweathermen,” he said,“but it’s in farmers’best interest to under-stand this and helpmove policy along.”

Already, extreme

weather is affectingsome yields, the reportnotes. High nighttimetemperatures cutyields across the CornBelt in 2010 and 2012.With the number ofhot nights projected toincrease in thedecades ahead, disap-pointing yields will be-come more common,the report said.

“People need to real-ize how these pieces fittogether,” said JerryHatfield, laboratorydirector for the USDA’sNational Laboratoryfor Agriculture andthe Environment inAmes, Iowa. Hatfieldjoined Takle as authorof the agriculturechapter.

The crucial underly-ing problem is the out-sized effect that achange in averageshas on the resultingextremes — morehottest-ever days andnights, and wider andmore frequent swingsbetween extremely wetand extremely dryyears, he said.

“We are going to seemore extreme ex-tremes. ... That’s thewake-up call for agri-culture.”

CLIMATEfrom Page 3

*NEW & USED CHRYSLER DODGE CARS*13 Dodge Dart SXT/ Rallye, 1.4L Turbo, 6-spd, A/C, Tilt, Telescope, Cruise, Power window/door

locks, 6-speaker, Travel computer, Alum wheels, (708423), List $20880 . . . . . . . . . . .$1890012 Chrysler 300S, v6, 8-spd auto, 2-zone auto temp, 2-power leather memory seats,

4-heated seats, Navigation, Bi-Xenon HID Lights, 522-watt 10-speaker sound w/ sub, 2-panepanoramic sunroof, Remote start, To loaded to list all equipment, 31+ MPG, Full decked exec, 11k mi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$30800

12 Chrysler 300 Limited, v6, 8-spd auto, 2-zone auto temp, 2-power heated leather seats, 8.4 touch screen, Premium sound, Back camera, Chrome wheels, 14k mi . . . . . . . . . . .$26500

12 Chrysler 300 Touring, v6, 8-spd auto, 2-zone auto temp, Power seat, Keyless, Touch screen,Deluxe travel computer, Keyless go, 17k mi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$24400

12 Chrysler 200 Touring, 3.6v6, Auto temp, Power seat, Sunroof, Keyless, Sirius, Program travel computer, Alum wheels, Very loaded unit, 14k mi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$18800

11 Dodge Charger Rallye, v6, Power seat/recliner, 2-zone auto temp, Heated seats, Remote start, Sunroof, Bluetooth, Touch screen, Sharp, 19k mi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$22800

11 Dodge Charger SE, v6, Power seat/ recliner, 2-zone a/c, Keyless go, Travel computer, Traction control, Steering wheel control, Alum wheels, Nice, 15k mi . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$20800

06 Dodge Stratus SXT, Fi4, Power seat, Keyless, Fresh valve job . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$495094 Chrysler New Yorker, 2-power leather seats, Premium sound, Loaded . . . . . . . . . .$3450

USED CARS OTHER BRANDS12 Ford Taurus Limited, 2-power leather buckets, 2-zone auto temp, Paddle shift, Sync,

Deluxe travel computer, Chrome wheels, Very sharp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$2480012 Hyundai Sonata, FiI4, 6-autostick, Full power, CD, Steering wheel controls, Seat riser,

Tilt/ telescope, Traction control, Travel computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1840011 Buick Regal CXL-2, 2-zone auto temp, Power driver leather seat, Bluetooth, Sunroof,

Auto dim mirror, Deluxe travel computer, Local trade, 20k mi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$2190011 Ford Crown Victoria LX, Auto temp, Power driver leather seat, Keyless/ remote entry,

Deluxe travel computer, Alum wheels, Nice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1664511 Chevy Cruze LT, 1.4Fi4 Turbo, Full power, CD, Seat risers, Tach, ABS, Alum wheels,

Deluxe travel computer, Traction control, Keyless entry, Sharp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1685011 Volkswagon Jetta SE, FiI5, Synthetic leather, Auto-stick, Power windows/ locks/ mirrors,

Traction control, Keyless, CD, Seat riser, Very nice, 32k mi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1680010 Chevy Malibu 1LT, FiI4, 6-autostick, Full power, Sunroof, Keyless entry, CD,

Theft alarm, Travel computer, Traction control, Nice MPG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1580009 Lexus ES 350, 2-power heated/cooled leather seats w/ memory, Navigation,

Panoramic dual sunroof, Back camera, Park assist, Rainsense wipers, Loaded, Sharp . . . .$2180007 Toyota Camry LE, FiI4, Power seat, Keyless, Auto lamps, CD w/ steering wheel control,

Telescope wheel, Window tint, ABS, Highway miles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1140005 Pontiac Grand Prix 4dr, 3.8v6, Power seat, CD, Fog lamps, Alum wheels . . . . . . . .$745003 Lincoln Town Car Carier, 2-zone auto temp, 2-power heated memory seats,

6-CD Alpine sound, Chrome wheels, Sharp unit, Well cared for . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$8750

NEW & USED S.U.V & CROSS-OVER VEHICLES*13 Dodge Journey SXT AWD, v6, Heated power seat, U-connect, 3-zone rear a/c,

Travel computer, Sirius, Remote start, Flexible seating, (530569), List $30225 . . . . . . . .$2696212 Dodge Durango Crew AWD, 3.6v6, 6-spd autostick, 2-zone auto temp, 2-power seats,

Remote start, 506-watt sound, Bluetooth, Sirius, Loaded! 18k mi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$2980012 Dodge Journey Crew AWD, v6, Heated power seat, Remote start, Premium sound,

Sunroof, Flex seating, Very Loaded Unit, 16k mi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$2466511 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport 4x4, v6, Auto, Freedom hard top, Keyless,

Step tubes, Travel computer, Skid plates, Mags, Well equipped, 2-choices . . . . . . . . . . .$2788011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo Sport 4x4, v6, Power seat/ recliner, Auto lamps,

Sirius, Deluxe travel computer, Traction control, Mags, Nicely Loaded . . . . . . . . . . . . .$2790011 Toyota FJ Cruiser 4x4, 4.0L v6, 5-spd auto, Full power, Boards, Bluetooth, Traction control,

Auto dim mirror, 4-disc ABS, Chrome alum wheels, Nice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$2790011 Mazda CX-9 AWD, White pearl, 7-passenger, 3.7v6, 6-spd auto, Power seat, Keyless,

Bluetooth, Travel computer, Window tint, ESP, SHARP, 29k mi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$2470011 Dodge Journey Crew AWD, 3-choices, v6, Power seat, Remote start, 3rd

row flex seating, 3-zone auto temp, Premium sound, U-connect, 24-27k mi . . . . . . . . .$2290011 Dodge Journey Mainstreet AWD, v6, 3-zone heat & a/c, 3rd row seat, Sirius,

Travel computer, Seat riser, Alum wheels, 2-choices, From . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$2090011 Jeep Compass Limited 4x4, Auto temp, Heated leather, Power driver seat, Keyless,

6-CD, Premium fog lamps, Deluxe travel computer, Mags, 26k mi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$2180011 Jeep Patriot Latitude 4x4, Heated leather power driver seats, Keyless, Sunroof,

Boston sound, 6-CD, Liftgate speakers, Deluxe travel computer, 22k mi . . . . . . . . . . . .$2180011 Nissan Rouge S AWD, FiI4, Power windows/door locks/mirrors, Keyless entry,

CD, Traction control, Travel computer, Seat riser, Very Nice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1970011 Mitsubishi Endeavor LS AWD, V6, Full power, Keyless, Bluetooth, Roof rails,

Traction control, 4-disc ABS, Sunscreen glass, Theft alarm, Nice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1890010 GMC Terrain SLT2 AWD, Driver power heated leather, Auto temp, Sunroof, Back camera,

Pioneer sound, Remote start, Travel computer, Loaded . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$25900

04 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS AWD 3.5L, V6, Monsoon CD/Cass, Keyless, Full power, Seat riser,TCS, Alum wheels, Local one owner trade, Nice unit, 93k mi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$7785

03 Ford Escape XLT 4x4, V6, Power seat, 6-CD, Sunroof, Nice unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$745099 Jeep Wrangler SE 2dr 4x4, FiI4, Automatic, A/C, Fresh engine, 89k mi . . . . . . . . .$885097 Chevy Tahoe 1500 LT 4x4, 5.7Fiv8, Leather, Time to hunt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1995

*NEW RAM PICKUPS*13 1500 Crew Cab Laramie SB 4x4, 5.7 Hemi, 6-spd auto, 2-power heated/cooled leather seats,

2-zone auto temp, Premium sound, Back camera, Loaded, List $45670 . . . . . . . . . . . .$38635*13 1500 Quad Cab Tradesman SB 4x4, 5.7 Hemi, 6-spd auto, Power windows/locks/mirrors,

Hitch w/ tow pkg, HD cooling, Sirius, Alum wheels, List $33950 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$29117*12 2500 Crew Cab Laramie LB 4x4, 800 Cummins, 6-autostick, 2-zone auto temp,

Navigation, Premium sound, 2- power heated/cooled seats,Remote start, (315951), List $56895 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$47788

*12 3500 Crew Cab Big Horn SB 4x4, 800 Cummins, 6-autostick, 40/20/40 Cloth power seat, Remote start, Bluetooth, Spray liner, Forged wheels, (218859), List $53510 . . . . . . . .$44187

USED PICKUPS12 Dodge 1500 Crew cab Big Horn Rambox 4x4, Hemi, Remote start, Power

seat, Navigation, Premium sound, Anti-spin, Back camera, 20's Loaded, 11k mi . . . . . . .$3390012 Dodge 1500 Crew cab Outdoorsman Rambox 4x4, Hemi, Power seat, Remote start,

Premium sound, Navigation, Chrome tubes, Loaded unit, 13k mi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$3390011 Dodge 2500 Reg cab ST 4x4, Hemi, A/C, Tilt, Cruise, CD, Sirius, Travel computer,

Business console, Tow pkg, HD ready for work, 35k mi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$2285010 Dodge 2500 Reg cab SLT 4x4, Hemi, Power seat/recliner, Keyless, Theft alarm,

Premium sound, Tow pkg w/ brake control, Travel computer, Anti-spin, 31k mi . . . . . . .$2680008 Dodge 3500 Quad Cab Laramie LB 4x4 Single, Cummins, 6-spd auto, Power leather seats,

2-zone a/c, Premium sound, Sunroof, Sharp, Decked, 48k mi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$3580008 Dodge 2500 Quad Cab SLT SB 4x4, Cummins, 6-spd manual, Power seat, Keyless,

Sirius, Tubes, Spray liner, Travel comp, One owner local trade, 83k mi . . . . . . . . . . . .$2880008 Ford 250 Reg Cab XL LB, 4x4, Powerstroke, Automatic, A/C, Cruise, Travel computer,

Grille guard, Drop ball, HD for work, Local Trade, 86k mi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1880007 Dodge 2500 Mega Cab SLT SB 4x4, Cummins, 6-spd auto, Power seat,

GPS navigation, Tubes, Spray liner, 3.73 Anti-spin, Very nice unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$2980004 Dodge 2500 Quad Cab SLT SB 4x4, 555 HO Cummins, Auto, Power seat,

CD, Tubes, Travel computer, Anti-spin, HD tow unit, Cummins best . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1580003 Dodge 2500 Reg cab 4x4, V10, 5-spd, A/C, Tilt, Cruise, CD, Tach, Tubes, Tow pkg,

5th wheel ball, 3.73 gears, HD ready for work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$775096 GMC 2500 Ext cab SLE LB 2wd, 7.4LFiV8, Power seat, Remote entry, Rhino liner,

Excellent shape, Hard to find one this good, Local trade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$545094 Dodge Dakota Club Cab SLT 2wd, Fiv6, A/C, Tilt, Cruise, Power Windows/

Door locks, Clean, Solid, Runs good, Local trade, 93k mi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$445090 Chevy 1500 Ext cab Silverado 2wd, 5.7Fiv8, Power W/ DL, Runs good, Solid . .$3650

*NEW & USED MINI-VANS*13 Chrysler Town/ Country Touring, Power seat/doors/gate, Leather, 3-zone a/c,

Back camera, 9" rear video, Sirius, Touch screen, More, (512355), List $30990 . . . . . . .$2769812 Chrysler Town/ Country Touring, Leather, Power seat/doors/liftgate,

Rear video, Touch screen, Back camera, Auto dim mirror, Program travel comp, Loaded . .$2490012 Dodge SXT, Stow-n-go, 3-zone auto temp, Power seat/pedals/doors/liftgate, Remote start,

Rear video, 506-watt premium sound, Back camera, Loaded, 12k mi . . . . . . . . . . . . .$2390012 Dodge SXT, Stow-n-go, 3-zone auto temp, Power seat/pedals/doors/liftgate, Remote start,

Rear video, 506-watt premium sound, Back camera, Loaded, 17k mi . . . . . . . . . . . . .$2330012 Dodge SXT, Power seat/ pedals/ doors/ liftgate, Remote start, Premium sound, Rear video,

Touch screen, Deluxe travel computer, Super console, Loaded, 21k mi . . . . . . . . . . . .$2280012 Dodge SXT Express, Stow-n-go, 3-zone a/c, Power seat/pedals/doors/liftgate, CD,

Steering wheel controls, Super console, Travel computer, Alum wheels, 12k mi . . . . . . .$2180012 Dodge Crew, Stow-n-go, 3-zone auto temp, Power seat/pedals/doors/liftgate,

Deluxe travel computer, Super console, Alum mags, 28k mi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$2060008 Chrysler Town/ Country Limited, 4.0v6, 2-power memory seats (4-heated),

Sunroof, 2-rear video, HID headlamps, Navigation, Premium sound, Choice, 38k mi . . . . .$2157508 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT, 3.8v6, Stow-n-go, Power driver seat/doors/pedals,

Keyless entry, Travel computer, Traction control, Very nice local trade . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1290006 Dodge Grand SXT, Stow-n-go, Power seat/doors/gate, 3-zone a/c, Keyless, CD w/ steering

wheel controls, Travel computer, Traction cont, Local trade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$675001 Pontiac Montana, 2-power leather seats, Rear a/c, CD/ Cassette, Park assist,

Travel computer, Comp/ temp, Alum wheels, Solid, Clean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$5850

USED FULL SIZE VANS11 Ford E350 XLT Club Wagon - V8 FFV, 12 passenger, Rear heat & a/c, Keyless,

Travel computer, RSC traction control, Park assist, More, 12k mi. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$22800

*Commercial customers qualify for $500 up-fit additional rebate(s) on select models. $1000 of 2500/3500 Diesel pickup & 1500 crew/ quad cab & $750 of 2013 Town & Country mini-van rebate requires a trade-in. All rebates to dealer. Rebates to dealer business center customers only. Rebates/ sale can end or change at any time. Certificate programs not included (ex: railroad program). These programs may lower price/ increase rebate. Contact Dealer for Details. (013113).

Lawmaker pushesloan program forcounties in Neb.

LINCOLN (AP) —Agriculture groups ral-lied around a proposalTuesday to create an in-terest-free loan pro-gram for Nebraskacounties designated as“livestock friendly,” de-spite questions abouthow the state would re-coup its money fromcounties that fail to re-pay.

The bill would allowcounties deemed “live-stock friendly” by thestate to borrow frommoney at no cost forroads, bridges and otherinfrastructure frequent-

ly used to haul live-stock. Counties wouldhave to repay the loanswithin five years.

The bill has won sup-port from the NebraskaFarm Bureau andgroups that representranchers, corn growersand soybean farmers.Its sponsor, Sen. KenSchilz of Ogallala,likened his proposal tocommunity develop-ment block grants usedby cities for develop-ment projects.

“Counties do not have

Those deemed ‘livestock friendly’would be allowed to borrowmoney for infrastructure

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the same tools to attractbusinesses when com-pared to cities, whichhave all sorts of tools,”Schilz told the Legisla-ture’s Agriculture Com-mittee.

Sen. Ernie Chambersof Omaha, who sits onthe committee, called itan “iffy proposition” thatestablishes no way forthe state to reclaim itsmoney if a county failsto repay a loan. A coun-

ty’s failure to return themoney could force thestate to put a lien oncounty property, he said,and rural counties can’tguarantee that a pro-longed drought won’tshrink their tax base.

“The first principle ofeconomics is, don’t sendgood money after bad,”Chambers said. “Rightnow, sending money intothe agricultural sector issending good money af-ter bad.”

Chambers said the billwould also divert moneyaway from other priori-

ties, including a proposalto expand Medicaid cov-erage to urban and ruralresidents. He asked whysimilar loan programsweren’t offered for pro-grams to lift poor peoplein urban areas out ofpoverty.

“I know of things thatought to be done for peo-ple who are poor in thecity, and it’s not going tobe done,” Chambers said.

The Nebraska Depart-ment of Agriculture hasdesignated 21 counties as“livestock friendly.” Thedepartment, which ad-

ministers the program,requires counties to ap-ply for the designation byholding a public hearingand passing a resolution.County officials mustthen submit an applica-tion to the department.Under current law, live-stock friendly countiesreceive road signs bear-ing the program logo todisplay along their roads.

The bill would also re-quire the Department ofEnvironmental Qualityto help counties locateand evaluate sites for ex-panded livestock produc-

tion. And it would in-crease the caps for taxcredits available to indi-vidual producersthrough the NebraskaAdvantage Rural Devel-opment Act.

Terry Keebler, a John-son County commission-er, said the bill wouldhelp counties that wantto attract agriculture-production facilities thatreceive livestock fromfarmers. Keelber saidJohnson County ap-proved a special permitTuesday morning for afacility, which will see

eight or nine trucks perday.

Kristen Hassebrook, aspokeswoman for the Ne-braska Cattlemen, saidthe bill created a specificincentive for counties toparticipate in the state’s“livestock friendly” pro-gram.

“These counties havestepped up, wanting tosupport livestock pro-duction, and they alsowant to see more live-stock production in theircounties, which shouldbe rewarded,” Hasse-brook said.

LOANfrom Page 13

Ag, weather postercontests open toNebraska youth

LINCOLN — NebraskaDepartment of Agricul-ture (NDA) Director GregIbach has announced thebeginning of the 10th an-nual NDA AgricultureWeek in Nebraska PosterContest.

The contest is open toall Nebraska youth cur-rently in first throughsixth grades. This year’stheme is “Nebraska Agri-culture: What FarmersDo.”

The entry deadline forthe contest is March 1.

Winners will be an-nounced during NationalAg Week (March 17-23).

The contest is brokendown into three age divi-sions:n First- and second-

grade students.n Third- and fourth-

grade students.n Fifth- and sixth-

grade students.Winning entries will

be featured on the NDAweb site and potentially

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1031 Pickups

DODGE 2002 DAKOTA -Quad cab , SLT, 4 whee l d r i ve , V8 au to , a l l op -t i ons , ma roon w i t h c l o t h i n t e r i o r, 110 ,000 m i l es , ve r y good cond i t i on . $7,500. (308) 532-0348

1032 SUVs

NISSAN 2000 XTERRA -

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JEEP WILL IES- CJ2A’s and M38A1 and j eep pa r t s f o r sa l e . ( 308 ) 778-6054

1020 Trucks /Trailers

3 /4 Ton A rmy Tra i l e r s $300. (308) 537-7659

1025 Motorcycles

YAMAHA TTR 90-Electric start dirt bike, $1400 OBO. CASH

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1028 Auto Parts/Acc.

5 ’ B lad e and w inch f o r sa le : F i t s ATV o r Sma l le r Pickup. 308-520-0456

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FORD 2008 F350 - 6 . 4 tw in Tu rbo d i ese l , supe r c ab , au toma t i c t r ansm is -s i on , 4 whee l d r i ve . B rad fo rd bed w i t h o r i g i -na l box . 160 ,000 m i l es . 308-289-3188

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SUBARU 1999 LEGACYO U T BAC K- C l ean c a r, g rea t MPG, G rea t schoo l

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BU IC K 2002 C EN T U RY -4 D oo r s edan V6 , au to -ma t i c t r ansm iss ion , f r on t whee l d r i ve , on l y 58 ,000 mi les exce l len t cond i t ion . Tan Ex te r i o r w i t h ma tc h -i ng c l o t he i n t e r i o r. N ew new t i r es , $6 ,500 . ( 308 ) 534-8607.

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1020 Trucks /Trailers

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849 Pets

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554 Houses For Sale

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6 Farm &Ranch

604 Farm Machinery

WANT TO BUY2 side roll sprinklers.

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By ROBYNN TYSVERWorld-Herald News Service

A telephone friend offormer Lt. Gov. RickSheehy’s has lost herjob in the wake of thescandal that also costSheehy his political life.

Michele Ehresman, aformer member of theHoldrege school board,has resigned her posi-tion as head of a pro-agriculture groupknown as We SupportAgriculture.

The group was start-ed last year by five ofthe state’s largest agri-culture groups — in-cluding the NebraskaCattlemen and the Ne-braska Farm Bureau.Its purpose, in largepart, was to aggressive-ly counter criticism be-

ing aimed at ranchersand others by animal-rights groups.

Ehresman, the formerexecutive director ofthe Holdrege Chamberof Commerce, washired by the group lastsummer. The group’sboard of directors is-sued a press release Feb.7 saying they and Ehres-man had “mutuallyagreed” to end theircontractual relation-ship.

Ehresman was one offour women that Sheehycalled frequently in thewee hours of the night,talking for hours on hisstate-owned cellphone.

Ehresman, who is re-cently divorced, has de-clined numerous re-quests for interviews.She did not return a call

on Feb. 7.Sheehy resigned Feb.

2 after World-Herald re-porters presented himwith findings of theirinvestigation into hiscellphone records.

He had been consid-ered a top gubernatori-al candidate before thestory broke. Since then,his campaign has beenreturning money to itsdonors, and Sheehy hasall but disappearedfrom the politicalworld.

He also has declinedall requests for inter-views.

In all, Sheehy mademore than 2,300 callsover four years to fourwomen. The bulk weremade before his wife,Connie, filed for di-vorce last summer.

Friend of Sheehy’s loses jobwith pro-agriculture groupEhresman was one of four women former Lt.Gov. called frequently on state-owned phone

in promotional materi-als and other publica-tions. Contest rules andofficial entry forms areavailable online atwww.agr.ne.gov/kids.

Also, the annual 2013Nebraska SevereWeather AwarenessPoster Contest has beenannounced. The con-test, sponsored by Ne-braska Association ofEmergency Manage-ment, the NationalWeather Service andthe Nebraska Emer-gency ManagementAgency, is part of theannual Severe WeatherAwareness Week effortproduced by Emer-gency Management Di-rectors/Coordinators

across Nebraska.The poster contest is

open to all fourth-gradestudents in Nebraskapublic and privateschools and all home-schooled fourth-gradestudents.

Teachers are encour-aged to have studentsparticipate while teach-ing them about hazardsof severe weather in Ne-braska. While notspecifically designed topromote tornado aware-ness, tornadoes are themost common themechosen for posters.Lightning and flooding,which are also productsof severe thunder-storms, are also goodtopic choices.

The winner in thestate contest wins a $125gift card. Those finish-ing second, third and

fourth receive gift cardsworth $100, $75 and $50,respectively. All fourwinners will also re-ceive a NOAA All-Haz-ards Weather Alert Ra-dio from the SalineCounty EmergencyManagement Agency.

Any questions re-garding the 2013 SevereWeather Poster Contestshould be directed tothe local emergencym a n a g e m e n tdirector/coordinator orto Meints at (402) 223-1305 or email at gage-coema@diodecom.net .

Contest rules and oth-er information can alsobe obtained at the Ne-braska Association ofEmergency Manage-ment website atwww.naem.us.

YOUTHfrom Page 15

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She is a smaller girl, litter trained and good with kids, cats and dogs!

DENZELAdult, intact male, domestic shorthair. He is using his litter box. He is scared in theshelter, but loves to be petted and wants nothing more than a home to call his own!

Black cats are usually the last adopted from shelters. Give Denzel a chance!