Southeast Nebraska farmers and crop consultants can sharpen their management strategies for the third- and fourth-most grown crops at the 2023 Southeast Nebraska Alfalfa and Wheat Expo on Thursday, Aug. 24, in Crete.

In its third year, the expo helps farmers prepare to grow these crops for the first time and fine-tune the skills of experienced alfalfa and winter wheat farmers and crop consultants. Speakers will address important issues for southeast Nebraska, and University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension will provide attendees with unbiased and research-based information. The expo also allows for great one-on-one discussion with local private industry exhibitors and sponsors. At the second annual expo in 2022, attendees had the opportunity to visit with 15 exhibitors.

This year’s expo hosts, Nebraska Extension Water and Cropping Systems Educators Nathan Mueller and John Nelson, and Nebraska Extension Livestock Systems Educator Connor Biehler, advocate for more diverse crop rotations that are both underutilized and undervalued in southeast Nebraska. Integrating alfalfa and winter wheat into the crop rotation can provide a critical tool to mitigate extreme weather like flash droughts, improve soil health, increase corn and soybean yields, combat troublesome pests like Palmer amaranth, increase flexibility in manure management plans and cattle feed.

Located at the Tuxedo Park Exhibition Building in Crete, the expo will begin at 8:15 a.m. with a light breakfast, exhibitor booths, and an opportunity to get a respirator fit-test for private pesticide applicators (medical exam/questionnaire needed prior and bring your respirator). The educational program starts at 9 a.m. and ends at 3 p.m.

Royce Schaneman, Nebraska Wheat Board executive director, and Dave Bauer, mayor of Crete, will welcome attendees at the expo prior to morning speakers and topics about wheat.

Wheat topics and speakers from 9 a.m. to noon include:

• UNL wheat breeding update — Dr. Katherine Frels
• Wheat fungicide seed treatments — Dr. Stephen Wegulo and Dr. Nathan Mueller
• Wheat management — Dr. Romulo Lollato, K-State wheat specialist
• Round table discussion on local wheat production, facilitated by Dr. John Nelson

Topics on alfalfa during the afternoon sessions from 1-3 p.m. include:

• Alfalfa variety selection and planting dates — Dr. Daren Redfearn
• Alfalfa aphids — Dr. Bob Wright
• Alfalfa weevil — Dr. Matheus Ribeiro
• Alfalfa as a protein supplement for fall calving cows — Connor Biehler

Door prizes will be drawn, and A&W rootbeer floats will be served from 3-3:30 p.m.

Pre-registration for the expo is requested by Tuesday, Aug. 22; however, walk-in registration is welcome too. More information on the expo and pre-registration is available online, or by calling the Saline County Extension office at 402-821-2151. For inquiries about the expo, contact Nathan Mueller at 402-821-1722.

Thank you to the sponsors, including Nebraska SARE, Nebraska Wheat, Agri-King Inc, USDA-NRCS, Farmers Cooperative, and others who help make the expo free to attend, including lunch from City Slicker’s Bar and Grill.

Register now