Lincoln- The 14th annual Soybean Management Field Days focuses on staying competitive in a global marketplace, increasing profits and meeting the world's growing food and energy needs starting right here in Nebraska.
The field days, Aug. 14-17, are sponsored by the Nebraska Soybean Board in partnership with University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension in the 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 progress powered by U.S. farmers.
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 or 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: quest for the Holy Grail in soybean production; soybean seed treatments and foliar fungicides, growth enhancement interactions with herbicides; herbicide-carrier rate study; and managing land leases and soybean marketing.
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 program.
Participants also can tour the soybean variety development and breeding advancement plots.
As part of the "Bring a Farmer" promotion, two drawings will be held at each field site for 300 gallons of biodiesel/biodiesel blend. One is for "repeat attendees" who bring along new soybean producer attendees. Each repeat attendee will receive one entry for each new producer attendee that he or she brings that attends the field day.
A second drawing will be held for new soybean producer attendees. Winners will be selected from a random drawing of entries at each field site. Official rules are online at http://www.ardc.unl.edu/soydays.
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, plant disease and insect specialists will be available to address production-related questions. Participants can also 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. 14 - Tim Rowe Farm (Lexington) - From Lexington: From Junction of Highway 30 and Highway 21, go 2.6 miles north on Highway 21, then east 1/4 mile. Field site is on north side of the road. (South side of SW 1/4 section).
- Aug. 15 - Kracl Partnership Farm (O'Neill) - From O'Neill: From Junction 275 and Old 108, go 2.1 miles east on Old 108, then north 1/2 mile. Field site is on east side of the road. (SW corner of NW 1/4 section).
- Aug. 16 - Keith Pillen Farm (Platte Center) - From Platte Center: From 4th and A streets (Bank of Valley corner), go 1.1 miles south on 280th Ave (A Street). Field site is on the west side of the road (0.1 mile south of bridge).
- Aug. 17 - Nick, Ron and Kevin Hotovy Farm (David City). From David City: From Junction Highway 92 and Hwy Highway, go 1 mile east on Highway 92, then 3/4 mile north on county road. Field site is on east side of NW 1/4 section.
For more information about the field days and maps to sites, visit the Soybean Management Field Days website at http://ardc.unl.edu/soydays. Or contact the Nebraska Soybean Board at 1-800-852-BEAN or UNL Extension at 1-800-529-8030.
