Amy G. Hadachek, Midwest Messenger Journalist Profile

Articles

Kansas dairies grow through robotic milkers, Adopt A Cow program

1 month ago | thefencepost.com | Amy G. Hadachek

June is Dairy Month and two Kansas dairies share how they do it all, from upgrading their dairies with technology, sharing their dairy’s nutrition plan and the safety and storage of milk, and creating public awareness about the importance of dairy in meals. On her family’s dairy, Rottinghaus Holstein Farm in Seneca in northeast Kansas, Stacy Rethman farms full time with her parents, milking 500 cows. The dairy was started in 1933.
Central Plains and Rockies expecting warmer, drier summer

1 month ago | thefencepost.com | Amy G. Hadachek

Farmers and ranchers from the Rockies to the Plains will be closely monitoring any and every precipitation chance for much-needed soil moisture, although drought will be the main concern for portions of eastern Colorado, northeastward across eastern Wyoming into almost all of Nebraska and parts of Kansas through the summer months, according to the summer forecast issued by the Climate Prediction Center on May 15, 2025.
Eustis-Farnam FFA repeatedly soars to the top at state

1 month ago | agupdate.com | Amy G. Hadachek

By Amy Hadachek Thirty students are in the Eustis-Farnam FFA chapter in Eustis, Nebraska, evenly representing traditional farm families and students from the city. The chapter continues earning state championships in food science and agronomy. Eustis-Farnam had five teams compete at state. Their agronomy team won the state championship and will compete at nationals this fall. Their food science team also won the championship and goes on to nationals. Eustis-Farnam’s welding team secured third place.
Safety on the farm and ranch instilled in Nebraska youth

1 month ago | thefencepost.com | Amy G. Hadachek

What to do if a power line fell onto your vehicle… and how familiar are you with the important safety guidance before climbing onto an ATV, and before proceeding at a railroad crossing… ? One hundred thirty-five children learned these and other important safety tips including how to safely approach large farm animals during Ag Safety Day in Osceola, Neb., April 24, 2025, hosted by Nebraska Extension in Polk County.
Typical summertime weather expected for Central Plains

1 month ago | agupdate.com | Amy G. Hadachek

There were no big surprises for summer weather in the Central Plains when NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center released its summer outlook Thursday, May 15. It calls for a continuation of the warm and dry conditions that much of the area has experienced so far this year. The outlook for June, July and August favors above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation.
Franklin FFA flourishing with upcoming plant sale, welding projects

2 months ago | agupdate.com | Amy G. Hadachek

With thriving geraniums and plants, it’s a busy and beautiful time of year at Franklin Public Schools in Franklin County, Nebraska, as their FFA chapter busily prepares for their annual flower sale. “We have lots of geraniums growing, and we’ll also sell hanging baskets. Our flower sale takes place around Mothers’ Day and it’s open to the community,” said Hunter Hill, agricultural educator and FFA advisor for Franklin Public Schools.
Farmers’ GPS impacted by space solar storms

Mar 13, 2025 | agupdate.com | Amy G. Hadachek

Farmers are always concerned about the weather, but now weather in space is increasingly impacting their fieldwork. Geomagnetic storms can distort satellite signals in GPS, which farmers use to guide tractors across their fields. Neil Popelka, who farms one mile north of Munden in Republic County, Kansas, says it was a bizarre experience while he was planting wheat and putting fertilizer on last October. “They told us we were having solar flares,” Popelka told Midwest Messenger.
Madison FFA’s non-traditional ag students thrilled about agriculture projects

Mar 4, 2025 | agupdate.com | Amy G. Hadachek

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Mostly drier-than-normal spring forecast for Central Plains and Rockies

Mar 2, 2025 | thefencepost.com | Amy G. Hadachek

Appreciable winter snowpack will help the Rockies and Central Plains get a good start to spring, then as spring pushes in, the fading La Niña is forecast to bring mostly drier than normal conditions, according to the forecast just released from the Climate Prediction Center on Feb. 20, 2025. Although farmers and ranchers from the Rockies to the Plains benefited with abundant snow cover, some areas especially in Nebraska and parts of Kansas are dealing with drought.
Volunteer firefighter dies battling Nebraska wildfire

Feb 25, 2025 | agupdate.com | Amy G. Hadachek

Secure transaction. Cancel anytime. Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in. Check your email for details. An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account. CAPTCHA Send Email × × Secure & Encrypted What's your email address? What's your name? Who is this gift for?