Scanner FM

09/07/2026

Galen Fink is with us again today. He's a Kansas seed stock producer, has gone to strictly fall calving. What do you like about the fall calving?

"We started that several years ago. I probably, like Mother Nature, wasn't really smart. It's just me and my wife from a labor standpoint. So we went to fall calving. We AI everything, made it easier to collect the cows and breed them and never had to carry in a September calf yet due to cold weather and just lots of things like that. I know tradition is that the cost is a lot more and it probably is slightly, but I think probably the cover crops and everything that's come along the last 15 to 20 years, it may be fall calving could be a lot more reasonable for folks than what they might think at one time."

Do you do any spring calving?

"We're going to disperse all of our spring bred cows just to make room for more cows coming in, pasture, we're overstocked."

09/07/2026

California Horsewoman and trainer Sharon Camarillo.

When you're unsaddling your horse, that's the time to look for dry spots, rubbed hairs, soreness when you're brushing that horse's back off. I always like to use just a little alcohol and water or liniment on my horse's back as I brush off that sweat. And you know, you're a good sitting saddle with the right pad when you pull it off, should have an even sweat pattern. If you see white hair starting in an area up on that spine, it's pretty confident that it's a pressure point. When your horses quit working, when they're switching their tail, when they're grumpy, when their ears move, you need to listen to that horse. He's trying to tell you something and a lot of times you can fix it by just paying attention to quality of equipment. It's not how much you pay for it. It's really the fit. How it sits on that horse's back, the type of pad you're using. I said it earlier, I'm going to say it again. When you're around your horse, when you walk to the stall or the pasture to catch him, that's when you need to put your mind in the game.

09/07/2026

Glenn Jones, a farmer from Greenfield, Iowa, detailed his current agricultural activities, focusing on the challenges and planning involved in mid-harvest. After harvesting wheat in Oklahoma and Southern Kansas, Jones returned to Iowa early due to drought conditions, bringing only one combine. He anticipates commencing the local corn and bean harvest in about three weeks and is currently occupied with tasks like cleaning out a bin of beans and chopping silage.

Jones highlighted the impact of extreme weather conditions, including high temperatures and humidity, on agricultural and everyday activities. He attended the Farm Progress Show in Boone, Iowa, despite the oppressive heat and humidity. The persistent high temperatures and dew points have been unusual, making outdoor work unbearable. Despite the high humidity possibly benefiting crops by reducing moisture loss, the lack of cooler nights has been problematic.

The conversation touched on widespread weather-related challenges faced by farmers in other regions, such as South Dakota, where drought has seriously impacted corn crops. Weather fluctuations, such as heavy rains leading to potential flooding and dry spells causing crop insurance claims, complicate farming decisions. The discussion included the need for possible crop reallocation depending on weather forecasts and market conditions, with potential shifts from corn to wheat planting.

09/04/2026

Harvesting Efforts and Challenges: The discussion with Dillon DeBock highlights the ongoing harvesting efforts in the Powers Lake area of North Dakota, where they are cutting Durham and spring wheat. Despite good yields averaging about 65, the test weight is down due to July's heat, which affects the crop quality. In the region, while straw is typically not essential, some farmers do bale it for practical purposes. Weather conditions fluctuate from extreme colds to mild temperatures due to Chinook winds, affecting farming operations.

Economic Aspects and Crop Quality: Incomes are influenced by crop qualities such as test weight and protein content, but premiums for protein are rare, affecting profit margins negatively. Some Durham, labeled as feed grade due to poor test weight, highlights the problem of inadequate compensation for higher quality. Recent rain impacts the harvesting schedule, with rainfall reports varying from a few tenths to inches across regions.

Harvesting Techniques: The shift to straight cutting, even for canola due to new shatter-resistant varieties, is emphasized for its efficiency over traditional swathing, which can lead to bunching, particularly when cutter bars exceed widths of 35 feet. Rollers are commonly used during swathing to manage the harvest against wind interference.

Personal Anecdotes and Events: The conversation concludes with references to cowboy poetry gatherings and the appreciation for such cultural events shared on platforms like YouTube. Hale Broadcasting extends well wishes for the harvest and appreciation for participation in the interview.

09/04/2026

09/03/2026

It's time for Scanner News, and I'm your host, Brian Hale.

Brought to you by R&C Welding in Gering, Nebraska. Speaking of our friends over in Gering, they're hiring for a forklift operator. Apply in person or online. R&C Welding in Gearing, Nebraska. rcwelding.com.

If you're into fantasy football, you have just a few days to join the Panhandle Scanner League. Look for the post on Panhandle Scanner, and join us for the fun.

Yesterday, scanner traffic indicated that Nebraska State Patrol was out with Alliance Police Department on Highway 2 around mile marker 82 doing a probable cause search on multiple individuals. Many times we don't hear the result of the initial scanner traffic, so be sure to check our public record every day, Monday through Friday, when available.

Last night, scanner traffic indicated a possible gas leak on 7th Street in Gearing, and a missing endangered advisory came out of Fort Morgan, Colorado. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation has issued an endangered missing alert for Vera Spencer, a four-year-old. The suspect is Daniel Spencer, 50, her non-custodial father. Vera was last seen being picked up from her school in Brighton, Colorado on August 28. Vera is 4 years old, 3 feet 5 inches tall, and weighs around 40 pounds. She has blonde hair and brown eyes. Daniel, 50, is 6 feet tall, weighs 170 pounds, and has brown hair and hazel eyes. They may be driving a silver-colored Pontiac Bonneville, possibly a black 2016 Dodge Ram truck. If you have any information, please contact local authorities.

Find that missing case, the scanner traffic, and more every day on panhandlescanner.com, check our news tab, or follow us on Facebook at Panhandle Scanner.

That's going to do it for today's news.

Thanks again for listening, and may God bless.

I'm Brian Hale.

09/03/2026

09/03/2026

09/03/2026

Mint Cultivation Process: Tegan Hubbard, a mint farmer from Corrine, Utah discusses the cultivation and management of mint fields, specifically spearmint on their farm. He explains that the initial watering phase occurs before the second cutting of the mint. The farm uses flood irrigation, and the first cutting of mint is typically done in early July. The first cutting of the season yielded slightly below average output due to lower oil content in the leaves.

Mint Varietals and Longevity: The farm grows spearmint and peppermint, with spearmint being more resilient and longer-lived, lasting up to 13 years. Peppermint is rotated every four to five years, involving plowing under old roots and planting new, youthful roots to encourage vigorous growth. The option exists to either purchase certified roots or spread roots from existing young fields.

Irrigation and Equipment: The farm has transitioned from traditional siphon tubes to a more modern flood irrigation system with PVC pipes and risers for improved efficiency, a change supported by state and federal funding. The setup ensures water is well-distributed and minimizes manual labor. The larger PVC pipes are standard in the area and buried underground.

Mint Harvesting Techniques and Equipment: Mint is harvested using specific mint planting equipment, and the roots are managed through specialized conveyors and planters that spread the roots effectively in the fields. The plant rows are closely spaced and spread aggressively, leading to a dense coverage over time.

Economic Aspects of Mint Farming: The financials of mint farming are discussed, with native spearmint being covered by government marketing orders, which help stabilize the supply and pricing. Mint yield is measured by the amount of oil produced per acre, with spearmint typically yielding significant returns per acre. Peppermint, not regulated by the same marketing orders, fluctuates more with market conditions.

Mint Aroma and Market: The interview touches on the aromatic nature of mint plants and the stability of the market for spearmint compared to peppermint, which is more subject to market variation. Hubbard discusses the importance of maintaining a delicate balance between purchasing new roots and spreading their own, to manage costs effectively.

Conclusion with Miscellaneous Details: The conversation concludes with mentions of equipment manufacturers (such as New House Manufacturing) and technology for improving oil extraction from mint fibers. This includes a brief mention of innovation in oil extraction via new equipment developed by neighboring farmers.

09/02/2026

September 1st was National Hotel Employee Appreciation Day. Speaking of hotels, did you know that the Hampton Inn has changed hands? That's right, our home hotel, away from home, is under new management.

But we'll still be there this weekend for the Horizon Music Fest concert that's coming up this weekend, the 5th and the 6th, two full days of worship and music. We hope to see you out there. You can find us in the Ministry Tent area.

Yesterday, scanner traffic indicated that Kimball Police were enroute to the middle school for a safety check. No further traffic was heard.

Around 5:40 p.m., a scooter versus car accident was reported at 20th and Broadway in Scottsbluff. There has been a lot of controversy about the e-bikes and electric scooters recently. Our prayers for that situation.

And we have a missing dog in Scottsbluff. Beatrice Moreno is reporting that her puppy has been missing since 8:31, and a cash reward is being offered. Call 308-641-0189 or see the Missing Lucas poster on Panhandle Scanner.

And it was a five-set comeback thrilling victory for the Gearing Girls Volleyball team! We have exciting new coverage in the Panhandle Scanner's new newspaper edition, the Sunday Scanner. They recently defeated the Sterling Tigers in that five-set showdown. Get lots of sports coverage and police and crime and more all in the Sunday Scanner. Subscribe for free via email. That's Panhandle Scanner News. It's called the Sunday Scanner, our weekly newspaper-ish edition.


Find it now on panhandlescanner.com/news.