Southeast Nebraska farmers can sharpen their management strategies for the third- and fourth-most grown crops in the region at the inaugural 2021 Southeast Nebraska Alfalfa and Wheat Expo. Hosts and local Water and Integrating Cropping Systems Extension Educators Nathan Mueller, Gary Lesoing and Melissa Bartels said more diverse crop rotations are both underutilized and undervalued. Integrating alfalfa and winter wheat into the crop rotation can provide a critical tool to mitigate extreme weather, improve soil health, increase corn and soybean yields, combat troublesome pests, increase flexibility in manure management plans and more.

This new expo will help farmers prepare to grow these crops for the first time or fine-tune the skills of experienced alfalfa and winter wheat growers. Speakers and panelists will address important issues for southeast Nebraska farmers and allow for great one-on-one discussion with local private industry exhibitors and sponsors. University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension is uniquely suited to bring farmers unbiased and research-based information. The inaugural Alfalfa and Wheat Expo is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021, in Crete at the Tuxedo Park Exhibition Building. The expo will begin at 8 a.m. with refreshments and exhibitor booths. The educational program starts at 9 a.m. and ends at 3:30 p.m. 

Speakers and Topics

Winter wheat

• Laila Puntel, extension soil fertility specialist on nitrogen management
• Stephen Wegulo, extension pathologist on Fusarium head blight or scab
• Nathan Mueller, cropping systems extension educator on variety selection and planting recommendations
• Daren Redfearn, extension forage specialist on forage crops after wheat
• Wheat grower panel discussion

Alfalfa

• Ben Beckman, beef systems extension educator, on alfalfa quality and beef nutrition
• Bob Wright, extension entomologist on alfalfa weevil management
• Melissa Bartels, cropping systems extension educator on alfalfa disease issues
• Alfalfa grower panel discussion

The expo is free to attend including lunch, but pre-registration is requested by Tuesday, Aug. 31. To get more information on the expo and to pre-register online, please visit Crop Tech Café’s expo page, or call the Saline County Extension office at 402-821-2151.