Crop Production

Every management decision has consequences. See how irrigation, nitrogen, marketing and other in-season choices are shaping real corn and soybean competition fields at this year's UNL-TAPS Field Days.

Producers, landowners, agricultural professionals and community members interested in soil health, profitability and resilient farming systems are invited to attend two upcoming field days focused on regenerative agriculture in northeast Nebraska this July.

Forage will be in short supply this year and likely throughout 2027. For farmers and ranchers planning to fill the feed gap by planting annual forages from August 1, 2026, through July 31, 2027, the USDA Risk Management Agency’s (RMA) Annual Forage insurance program provides the option of taking coverage for a lack of precipitation.

Annual forages can help fill forage gaps in dry years, but irrigation timing matters — especially during stand establishment and early vegetative growth. Learn how to make limited water go further this season.

With water supplies under pressure in parts of Nebraska, a south-central Nebraska study found several irrigation scheduling tools delivered similar corn yields while recommending different amounts of water.

The 2026 North American Manure Expo that is being planned for Wayne, NE on July 28 through 30 is a trade show and extension program all rolled into one. It includes tours the first day and two days of trade show that also includes live demonstrations and education sessions featuring the latest science and technology related to manure handling and application. Early bird pricing ends June 30, so get your tickets now!

Nebraska farmers and agriculture advisors joined a new education series designed to improve irrigation farming operations through efficiency, increased profitability, and strengthening long‑term water stewardship. The Nebraska Master Irrigator program brings together producers, agricultural advisors, and industry partners to support data‑driven decision-making that reduces groundwater pumping and nitrate losses while positioning farms to have a competitive edge.

Irrigation for corn and soybean is essential across much of Nebraska. With ever-increasing costs for energy and labor, and concerns for natural resource overconsumption and environmental footprint, decision-making for irrigation scheduling has become a critical management task for many producers. Conventional irrigation scheduling for corn and soybean requires constant crop field scouting, which is not only time consuming and costly, but also demands past experience and educated judgement. This is always a challenge to those who lack experiences or new to the business. CropSmart is a science-based, data-driven irrigation scheduling tool for corn and soybean producers. It was developed with funding from the National Science Foundation, led by George Mason University with contributions from institutions including the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR).

Educational sessions at the North American Manure Expo on July 29-30 at the Wayne County Fairgrounds will focus on practical, research-backed information for manure applicators, livestock and crop producers, crop advisers, and ag professionals. Topics include sampling, soil health, precision application, edge-of-field practices, plastics, safety, and emerging innovations like sensing crops to determine additional nutrient needs and anaerobic digestion.

Visitors to the 2026 North American Manure Expo being held at the Wayne County Fairgrounds in Wayne, Nebraska on July 28-30 will have the chance to explore some of the region’s most innovative and sustainability focused agricultural operations during the event’s official tour day on July 28, 2026. All tours will begin and end at the Wayne County Fairgrounds. Five tours, each highlighting different aspects of manure management and livestock production, as well as conservation and agricultural innovation in Nebraska have been developed. Participants will have the option of choosing one or two half-day long tours or one full-day tour. While the full day tour is the “family friendly” option, families are welcome on any of the tours. Learn more about the manure expo, the tours, and watch for registration at manureexpo.com.

This February and March, Nebraska Extension is hosting seven hands-on workshops across the state to help producers get the most value out of manure while protecting water and soil resources.