Agricultural Production Crop Production

Crop Management

Crop management hinges on the availability of water. For example, optimal plant populations will vary depending on the quantity of water available during the growing season.

The Soil Health Exchange: Addressing Waterlogging Issues with Soil Health Management

tire tracks in muddy clay soil
Fields with diverse soil types can pose distinct challenges in water management, especially under pivot irrigation. In this article, UNL experts review factors that contribute to waterlogged soil and several practices that can improve drainage issues.

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Soybeans to be Newest Nebraska TAPS Competition in 2024

close-up of a soybean plant
Although Nebraska is best known for the commodities of cattle and corn, soybeans land in the third-place spot among the top commodity rankings in the state, according to the Nebraska Department of Agriculture. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) is adding soybean to the lineup of Testing Ag Performance Solutions (TAPS) farm management competitions for 2024. The new soybean competition will be facilitated at UNL’s Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension and Education Center (ENREEC) near Mead, Nebraska. The soybean competition will be supported by the Nebraska Soybean Board.

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The gift that keeps giving: manure important resource for crop producers

  Leslie Johnson uses a mixture of candy to demonstrate the importance of collecting a good representative manure sample at the “Saving Money by Using Manure” workshop in West Point, Neb. Photo credit: Midwest Messenger
Manure is like a slow-release fertilizer for our crops, sort of like the gift that keeps on giving. Kristen Sindelar with the Midwest Messenger shares what she learned by attending the "Saving Money by Using Manure on Crops" workshop.

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Soil sampling for better fertilization decisions

soil sample in sampler
Recommendations for collecting soil samples to ensure the quality results needed for good management decisions about fertilizer, manure and lime application rates.

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Alfalfa in Rotation with Annual Crops Reduces Nitrate Leaching Potential and Increases Soil Organic Carbon Sequestration

As it aggressively scavenges nitrogen in the soil, alfalfa can greatly reduce nitrate contamination of groundwater with no negative implications for future crops if planted in rotations.
This UNL research study provides insights on the rotation of annual crops with alfalfa as a highly effective means of reducing nitrate-nitrogen contamination in groundwater.

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