September 4, 2013

Those attending Husker Harvest Days Sept. 10-12 can immerse themselves in all things water with University of Nebraska research and extension experts.

"Raising Our H2O IQ" is the theme for UNL's Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources exhibits at this year's HHD show near Grand Island. Each year UNL selects a theme keyed toward bringing the public the latest relevant IANR research and extension programming. This year's theme is related to water.

"We are focusing on groundbreaking research and initiatives that are rapidly earning IANR a national and global reputation as a leader in critically important water research," said Ronnie Green, NU vice president and IANR Harlan vice chancellor.

The University of Nebraska and IANR are focused on many areas of research and programming that have water use, quantity, and quality at their core. No single issue is more important to Nebraskans and the world than water.

"Our commitment in this field is evidenced most strongly by establishing the Robert B. Daugherty Water for Food Institute at the University of Nebraska a few years ago," Green said.

"In a state where the vast majority of our annual water use supports our agricultural economy and which is the number one state for irrigated agriculture in the nation, IANR's focus will continue to be on helping Nebraska, the nation and the world understand more about how to improve efficiency, quality and availability of this precious resource," Green said.

This is the sixth year IANR's teaching, research and extension exhibits are focused on a specific area of importance that is relevant to all Nebraskans and visitors to the red Husker exhibit building on the south side of the showground at Lot 321. There, and in the next-door white tent, show goers will see many ways IANR and UNL Extension are working to raise our H2O IQ.

Key exhibit areas focus on

• hydrology;
• how tillage and residue removal affect water balance in crop fields;
• variable rate irrigation as the next evolution in precision agriculture technology for center pivot irrigation systems;
• transpiration as the key to maximizing yield per gallon on water applied to crops;
• water-efficient residential landscapes;
• the Nebraska Agricultural Water Management Network for Nebraska irrigators;
• UNL's respected and often-referenced drought planning experts from the National Drought Mitigation Center; and
• helping to meet global food security needs via the Robert B. Daugherty Water for Food Institute.

Outreach education also will be prominent within each of the individual exhibits.

UNL staff at a central information booth will provide assistance in answering questions on a variety of extension and research-related topics, provide copies of helpful NebGuides, and direct those needing further help to extension experts in their local area.

The red Husker building is also the place to learn about the latest opportunities for students at UNL's College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, and the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture at Curtis. College representatives will be available throughout the show to answer questions from potential students. Those interested in the Nebraska LEAD (Leadership Education Action Development) program can also visit with a LEAD representative.

The large white tent just east of the red Husker building will feature the Market Journal team and also be filled with information and activities on water and agriculture-related careers.

IANR has been part of Husker Harvest Days since the first show in 1978.

"We like bringing the campus to Husker Harvest Days and seeing all the people that stop in to see us each year," Green said. "People stop to see what's new, ask us questions and share what they see as Nebraska's main challenges and opportunities. We are the people's land-grant university."

For UNL Extension information on water, be sure to visit Water.unl.edu.

IANR News Release