By Scout Nelson
The University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Testing Ag Performance Solutions (TAPS) program marked its eighth successful year with an awards banquet celebrating excellence in farm management. The event highlighted the achievements of participants from across Nebraska who competed in various farming contests designed to promote innovative agricultural practices.
In 2024, the TAPS program hosted four competitive events at research sites throughout the state. These included challenges for sprinkler corn and continuous corn at the West Central Research, Extension, and Education Center in North Platte; sorghum at the Henry J. Stumpf International Wheat Center near Grant; and soybeans near Mead at the Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension and Education Center.
Each participant managed a specific plot, making strategic decisions on a wide range of agricultural aspects such as seeding, irrigation, and pest management.
The competitions were structured to recognize several key areas: highest grain yield, highest input use efficiency, and most profitability, with specific categories varying by the crop.
The rewards for top performers included cash prizes of up to $2,000, plaques, oversized checks, and personalized TAPS apparel, celebrating their hard work and innovative approaches to modern farming.
Despite challenges such as early season hail and windstorms affecting the sorghum contest, participants demonstrated resilience and adaptability. The event concluded with various teams being honored for achieving the greatest grain yield, the lowest cost of production, and the most profitability across the different competitions.
Additionally, the Nebraska Corn Board received recognition as the Outstanding TAPS Advocate for its significant support and contribution to the program’s success.
The board’s involvement has been instrumental in advancing the TAPS mission of fostering collaboration between producers, university experts, and industry professionals.
The TAPS program not only serves as a competition but also as a platform for demonstrating and disseminating cutting-edge practices in agriculture. It encourages continuous improvement and learning among the agricultural community, supported by rigorous research and real-world application.
As the program looks ahead to the 2025 competitions, it continues to invite new participants and sponsors to join in advancing farm management practices. For more information or to get involved, stakeholders are encouraged to reach out via the program’s contact email.
Photo Credits:nebraska-extenstion
Categories: Nebraska, Crops, Wheat, Sorghum