It may not be the typical summer Olympic games, but for Husker Harvest Days attendees, it is a competition that will test their crop production management skills. The Testing Ag Performance Solutions (TAPS) program will be hosting the Crops Skills Challenge, in cooperation with the UNL Water and Integrated Cropping Systems specialists and educators.

The interactive event will pit participants against each other, not just in physical farm skills, but more in skills between the ears in crop production. While the actual challenge activities haven’t been finalized, some of the events may include insect or weed identification, siphon tube setting, a grain marketing challenge, corn grain moisture or yield estimations or tractor tire flipping, among others.

The event will take place each day of the show, Sept. 13-15, with two event times each day at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The number of participants in each round will be limited to the first 40 to register. A special session is planned on Wednesday, Sept. 14 at 10 a.m. just for FFA chapter teams of four students each. Those attendees interested in participating in this new HHD event can pre-register ahead of the show online, or they can register the day of the show if spots are available. The event is free and open to anyone in attendance at Husker Harvest Days held in Wood River, Nebraska.

Those who accept the challenge aren’t just competing for bragging rights over their fellow competitors. There is prize money at stake, including $250 Visa gift card for first place, $150 gift card for second and $100 for third during each session. Each entrant will also walk away with a souvenir for participating in the challenge.

Past and current TAPS participants are invited to assist with the interactive activity and share their TAPS stories with the HHD Crop Skills Challenge competitors. Volunteers will be given a day pass to attend Husker Harvest Days in exchange for their time. To sign up to assist with the event, TAPS participants can contact Krystle Rhoades.