By Scout Nelson
Farmers came together in Alliance, Nebraska, on February 27 to learn about the latest results from the On-Farm Research Network. The annual event offers a chance for growers to explore findings from research trials conducted on their own farms and others across the state.
“I focus quite a bit on dry beans, and so we had the Pod Ceal study, which is a harvest aid to help reduce harvest loss in direct harvesting beans,” said John Thomas, Nebraska Extension Cropping Systems Educator. Thomas said they hadn’t seen any real benefit for two years, except after a hail storm, and they will be trying it for one more year. This is the benefit of On-Farm Research. Sometimes, a product doesn’t work as well as others, but it’s all good information for growers. “You need to kind of see how a product works, over and over in various scenarios.”
Another study involved testing different inoculants to help beans fix nitrogen naturally. While the first inoculant showed no yield benefit over two years, the second one provided both a yield and financial gain. Inoculants reduce the need for added nitrogen fertilizer, which can save costs and improve sustainability.
Growers also explored a unique grower-led trial involving compost tea. This product is made by steeping compost in water with oxygen to create a nutrient-rich liquid. It’s believed to support plant health and soil biology. However, in a corn trial, no yield benefit was observed, and the cost of $42 per acre resulted in a financial loss. Despite this, the grower plans to continue the trial for another year.
Thomas and Nevin Lawrence, an Extension Weed Management Specialist, are seeking participants for a new study to manage Palmer amaranth—a persistent weed—by burying seeds through plowing.
Other topics covered during the meeting included carbon credit opportunities, irrigation strategies, soil fertility improvements, and growing black-eyed peas.
The event emphasized the importance of continued testing and observation. As Thomas noted, it’s helpful for farmers to see how products perform over time and under different conditions.
Photo Credit: nebraska-extenstion
Categories: Nebraska, Education