"Growing Nebraska's Future" is the theme of the 13th annual Soybean Management Field Days Aug. 16-19. The event will focus on staying competitive in a global marketplace, increasing profits and meeting the world's growing food and energy needs starting in Nebraska .
The field days are sponsored by the Nebraska Soybean Board in partnership with UNL Extension in the university's Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources and are funded through checkoff dollars. The efforts of the checkoff are directed by the United Soybean Board promoting effective, efficient, farmer-driven programs.
The field days will offer producers unbiased and research-based information to improve their soybean profitability.
The event consists of four stops across the state, each with replicated research/ demonstration plots, lunch and time for questions. Producers can obtain ideas and insight about the challenges they face in producing a quality crop at a profitable price in today's global economy.
Topics include: nutrient management and high yield alternatives, pest management and yield enhancement products, weed management, and marketing and risk management. In addition, UNL Extension's BIT Mobile will be on hand for participants to visit and learn how to optimize irrigation efficiency and energy use with the SoyWater progam.
By participating in the Soybean Management Field Days, producers will see their checkoff dollars at work bringing leading technology and ideas to producers.
Presenters include university specialists, educators and industry consultants.
Agronomists and plant disease and insect specialists will be available to address production-related questions. Participants can bring unknown crop problems for complimentary identification.
The field days begin with 9 a.m. registration and conclude at 2:30 p.m. Free registration is available the day of the event. Dates, locations and directions are:
-- Aug. 16 -- Clay Center, Neb., UNL's South Central Ag Lab - From Clay Center: 4 miles north on Highway 14, turn west on Highway 6; then 4.5 miles west and turn south at the South Central Agricultural Laboratory sign. The field site is 1/2 mile south of Highway 6.
-- Aug. 17 -- Elba, Neb., Justin and Errol Wells Farm. From northwestern edge of Elba: On Highway 11, go approximately 1 mile west on 18th Avenue. Take slight angle in road and go north on Page Road 1/2 mile. Field site is on east side of the road.
-- Aug. 18 -- Bancroft, Neb., Dallas and Matt Breitbarth Farms. From Bancroft: From south end of Bancroft, go west 9 miles on Highway 51. Go 1 mile north on 15th Road. Go 1/3 mile west on T Road. Or from Pender: Go south on Highway 9 for 7 miles. Go west on Highway 51 for 2 miles. Go 1 mile north on 15th Road. Go 1/3 mile west on T Road. Or from West Point: Go 11 miles north on Highway 9. Go west on Highway 51 for 2 miles. Go 1 mile north on 15th Road. Go 1/3 mile west on T Road. Field site is on north side of the road.
-- Aug. 19 -- Cortland, Neb., Brian Busboom Farm. From Cortland: Go south on Highway 77 3 miles. Go east on Highway 41 approximately 2 1/2 miles. Go 1/2 mile south on South 38th Road. From Adams: On Highway 41, go west 9 miles. Go 1/2 mile south on South 38th Road. Field site is on east side of the road.
For more information about the field days and maps to sites, visit the Soybean Management Field Days Web site at http://ardc.unl.edu/soydays. Or contact the Nebraska Soybean Board at 1-800-852-BEAN or University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension at 1-800-529-8030.
-- Deloris Pittman