By Scout Nelson
In Nebraska, known for its leading production of cattle and corn, soybeans claim the third spot in the state's top agricultural commodities. Recognizing this, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) is set to enrich its Testing Ag Performance Solutions (TAPS) program by adding a soybean competition in 2024.
This initiative will unfold at UNL’s Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension, and Education Center (ENREEC) near Mead, Nebraska, with support from the Nebraska Soybean Board.
TAPS, established in 2017 at UNL's West Central Research, Extension, and Education Center in North Platte, has expanded its competitions to include sorghum, popcorn, sprinkler-irrigated corn, and soybean, reflecting its commitment to improving farm management practices across Nebraska.
Chuck Burr, a Nebraska Extension educator and member of the TAPS team, shared his enthusiasm for the new addition. He highlighted the soybean industry's significant advancements in technology and management strategies over the past two decades, anticipating that the TAPS competition will further propel these innovations.
Participants in the soybean competition will engage in comprehensive farm management decision-making, covering aspects such as crop insurance, seed selection, planting strategies, and marketing, though irrigation decisions will be pre-set by the UNL team due to equipment limitations.
This competitive format aims to provide a hands-on learning experience, allowing participants to explore a wide array of agricultural management technologies and utilize extensive data to guide their decisions. Competing for awards in categories like grain yield, input-use efficiency, and profitability, participants will gain invaluable insights into effective soybean farming practices.
Highlighting the educational impact of the competition, Aaron Nygren, another Nebraska Extension educator on the TAPS team, expressed excitement about integrating findings from the soybean competition into the Soybean Management Field Days. This new element promises to enrich the field days, which have been a staple for 25 years.
The TAPS team is seeking participants for an inaugural soybean competition across eight Nebraska Soybean Board districts, offering hands-on learning and innovation in soybean farming, and highlighting Nebraska's commitment to advancing agricultural practices and sustainability.
Photo Credit - nebraska-animal-science
Categories: Nebraska, Crops, Soybeans, Education