Agribusiness professionals and crop producers will take a close-up look at field conditions, research and techniques at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's midsummer Crop Management Diagnostic Clinics July 17-18.

The UNL Extension clinics begin each day with 7:30 a.m. registration at the Agricultural Research and Development Center near Mead and start at 8 a.m. Participants will meet at the August N. Christenson Research and Education Building. Participants can attend one or both of the clinics as subject matter will be different each day.

Keith Glewen, UNL extension educator said,  "Benefits of the crop management and diagnostic clinics include one-on-one attention, on-site plot demonstrations, interaction with other participants, discussions about cutting edge research and an opportunity to earn continuing education credits through Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) program."

 

The July clinics feature national corn specialist from Purdue University who also happens to be a native Nebraskan, Dr. Bob Nielsen.  Glewen says, having the opportunity to have Nielsen share his experience and knowledge of corn production live in a cornfield, for many participants will be a once in lifetime educational experience.

Topics on July 17 include:  Corn Crop Canopy, Light Interception, and Grain Yield; Corn Silage, An Efficient and Economical Use of Corn Residue; Update on Nematodes of Corn and Soybean; Crop Water Use; Making the Most of a Herbicide Application and Feeding a Growing Population in a Shrinking World: A Plant Biosecurity-Food Security Challenge.

Six Certified Crop Adviser credits (crop management – 1.5, pest management – 3.0, soil and water management – 1.0, and nutrient management – .5) have been applied for and are pending approval for this clinic.

July 18 clinic topics include:  Sex in the Corn Field: What Really Goes On Out There?; Evaluating Efficacy of Tank Mixing Herbicides for Hard-to-Control Weeds in Corn; Feedlot Manure and Holding Pond Effluent: N Availability and Environmental Issues; Understanding the Benefits and Limitations of Current Pesticide Application Field Equipment; Crop Scene Investigation (CSI); and Atrazine in Surface/Groundwater.

Six Certified Crop Adviser credits (crop management – 1.5, pest management – 3.5, and nutrient management – 1.0) have been applied for and are pending approval for this clinic.

Early registration is recommended to reserve a seat and resource materials. Cost for one clinic is $160 for those registering one week in advance and $210 after. Cost for both clinics is $280 one week in advance and $320 after.

For more information or to register, contact the ARDC CMDC Programs, 1071 County Road G, Ithaca, NE 68033, call (800) 529-8030, fax (402) 624-8010, e-mail cdunbar2@unl.edu or visit the Web at http://ardc.unl.edu/training.shtml.

A special clinic focusing on physical, chemical and biological properties of soil and water will also be held on Aug. 28.  

August clinic topics include:  Physical, Chemical and Biological Properties of Soil and Water….The Cornerstone of the Human Race; Cover Crops for Improving the Soil; Infiltration Test and Organic Matter; Soil Temp., Electrical Conductivity, pH, N and P tests; Irrigation and Soil Water; Using Solvita Respiration Tests and N Flush; Soil Profile and Positioning of Landscape; and Management Considerations to Improve the Physical, Chemical and Biological Properties of Soil.

7.5 Certified Crop Adviser credits nutrient management – 2.5 and water management – 5.5) have been applied for and are pending approval for this clinic.

UNL Extension is in the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Agribusiness professionals and crop producers will take a close-up look at field conditions, research and techniques at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's midsummer Crop Management Diagnostic Clinics July 17-18.

The UNL Extension clinics begin each day with 7:30 a.m. registration at the Agricultural Research and Development Center near Mead and start at 8 a.m. Participants will meet at the August N. Christenson Research and Education Building. Participants can attend one or both of the clinics as subject matter will be different each day.

Keith Glewen, UNL extension educator said,  "Benefits of the crop management and diagnostic clinics include one-on-one attention, on-site plot demonstrations, interaction with other participants, discussions about cutting edge research and an opportunity to earn continuing education credits through Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) program."

 

The July clinics feature national corn specialist from Purdue University who also happens to be a native Nebraskan, Dr. Bob Nielsen.  Glewen says, having the opportunity to have Nielsen share his experience and knowledge of corn production live in a cornfield, for many participants will be a once in lifetime educational experience.

Topics on July 17 include:  Corn Crop Canopy, Light Interception, and Grain Yield; Corn Silage, An Efficient and Economical Use of Corn Residue; Update on Nematodes of Corn and Soybean; Crop Water Use; Making the Most of a Herbicide Application and Feeding a Growing Population in a Shrinking World: A Plant Biosecurity-Food Security Challenge.

Six Certified Crop Adviser credits (crop management – 1.5, pest management – 3.0, soil and water management – 1.0, and nutrient management – .5) have been applied for and are pending approval for this clinic.

July 18 clinic topics include:  Sex in the Corn Field: What Really Goes On Out There?; Evaluating Efficacy of Tank Mixing Herbicides for Hard-to-Control Weeds in Corn; Feedlot Manure and Holding Pond Effluent: N Availability and Environmental Issues; Understanding the Benefits and Limitations of Current Pesticide Application Field Equipment; Crop Scene Investigation (CSI); and Atrazine in Surface/Groundwater.

Six Certified Crop Adviser credits (crop management – 1.5, pest management – 3.5, and nutrient management – 1.0) have been applied for and are pending approval for this clinic.

Early registration is recommended to reserve a seat and resource materials. Cost for one clinic is $160 for those registering one week in advance and $210 after. Cost for both clinics is $280 one week in advance and $320 after.

For more information or to register, contact the ARDC CMDC Programs, 1071 County Road G, Ithaca, NE 68033, call (800) 529-8030, fax (402) 624-8010, e-mail cdunbar2@unl.edu or visit the Web at http://ardc.unl.edu/training.shtml.

A special clinic focusing on physical, chemical and biological properties of soil and water will also be held on Aug. 28.  

August clinic topics include:  Physical, Chemical and Biological Properties of Soil and Water….The Cornerstone of the Human Race; Cover Crops for Improving the Soil; Infiltration Test and Organic Matter; Soil Temp., Electrical Conductivity, pH, N and P tests; Irrigation and Soil Water; Using Solvita Respiration Tests and N Flush; Soil Profile and Positioning of Landscape; and Management Considerations to Improve the Physical, Chemical and Biological Properties of Soil.

7.5 Certified Crop Adviser credits nutrient management – 2.5 and water management – 5.5) have been applied for and are pending approval for this clinic.

UNL Extension is in the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Festival to teach 4th graders about agriculture

With continued urban growth, many youth do not have as much exposure to agriculture as in the past. Many communities are losing touch with Nebraska's greatest resource - agriculture. An upcoming ag awareness festival will provide an opportunity for youth to take a close-up look at agriculture.

The festival will be held at the University of Nebraska's Agricultural Research and Development (ARDC) near Mead, Nebraska on October 7,8,9, and 10. It is aimed at 4th grade students. Omaha schools and surrounding schools attending this year include:

While at the festival, students will learn about beef, dairy, grains, and swine. Production, technology, and products in agriculture are covered.

The first Agricultural Awareness Festival was held at the University of Nebraska Agricultural Research and Development (ARDC) near Mead, Nebraska in October 1996 with 200 Omaha Public School sixth grade students attending. Since that time, the festival has grown to multiple days and is now aimed at fourth-graders. The event educates approximately 650-900 students primarily from Douglas, Saunders, and Dodge Counties each year in the fall.

An additional Lincoln festival was added in 2001 at the Lancaster County Event Center. Lancaster County and York County youth have attended.

To date, over 12,000 youth have attended the festival sponsored by the Ag Awareness Coalition and over 650 are expected to attend this fall's festival.

Evaluations from teachers attending in the past have noted the following impacts on their students:

The festival made the students from the city aware of how much agriculture is a part of their lives.

Students saw and experienced different kinds of agriculture, which helped them understand how dependent we are on it.

Students were introduced to the contributions that Nebraska farming and ranching make to the global economy.

Funding, resources, and sustainability. . .

Over twenty agriculture businesses, commodity associations, food industry companies and University of Nebraska Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR) departments have provided support to the Ag Awareness Coalition since its start in 1995. Individual support has ranged from $6,750 grant dollars to volunteer time at the festival, totaling over $30,000 in grant dollars and in-kind donations. In-kind donations do not include volunteer time and expenses.

Current ag awareness sponsors include: Agriculture in the Classroom, Dairymen of Nebraska, Douglas County Farm Bureau, Farmers National Company, Gifford Farm Education Center, Midwest Dairy Association, Nebraska AgRelations Council, Nebraska Agri Business Club, Nebraska Beef Council, Nebraska Corn Development, Utilization and Marketing Board, Nebraska Pork Producers Association, Nebraska Soybean Board, Omaha Agribusiness Club, Papillion Grange No. 401, University of Nebraska–Lincoln Agricultural Research and Development Center, and University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension in Saunders, Lancaster and Douglas/Sarpy Counties.

Support has been provided in a variety of ways. Local farm implement dealerships have provided display equipment, several food processors have provided free or discounted food products for the students, and area producers have assisted with festival presentations. In addition, the Ag Awareness Coalition members provide many hours of their personal and/or business expense during the planning meetings.

For more information, please contact the University of Nebraska Agricultural Research and Development Center, 402-624-8000. The Agricultural Research and Development Center is a division of UNL’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources.