The 2025 Soils School will be held in-person on Tuesday, Feb. 4 and Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, at Nebraska Innovation Campus (NIC) in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Co-sponsored by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Department of Agronomy and Horticulture and the Nebraska Agri-Business Association, this event will focus on advanced soil and nutrient stewardship concepts aimed at enhancing agricultural crop production. Leading experts from the University of Nebraska and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will present on topics related to soil, water and nutrient management to improve agricultural production in Nebraska. The program will include research-based recommendations for primary crop nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, as well as discussions on the impact of various agricultural practices on soil nutrient management and water quality.
The Soils School alternates annually between basic and advanced topics. In 2025, it will focus on advanced soil, water, and nutrient management concepts to enhance crop production while protecting environmental quality.
Certified Crop Advisors (CCAs) attending the course can earn continuing education units (CEUs), with a total of 10 Nutrient Management (NM) and three Soil and Water (SW) CEUs available.
Agenda Highlights:
Agenda for Feb. 4, 2025
- 9:30 a.m. — Registration
- 9:55-10 a.m. — Introduction
- 10-10:50 a.m. — In-Season Nitrogen Recommendation for Corn – presenter Richard Ferguson
- 10:55-11:45 a.m. — Sensor-Based Nitrogen Management for Corn – presenter Richard Ferguson
- 11:50 a.m.-12:50 p.m. — Lunch
- 12:50-1:40 p.m. — Impact of Biologicals on Nitrogen Management in Corn – presenter Javed Iqbal
- 1:45-2:35 p.m. — Nutrient Needs for Corn and Soybean in Nebraska – presenter N. C. La Menza
- 2:35-2:50 p.m. — Break
- 2:50-3:40 p.m. — Impact of N Sources and Stabilizers on Nitrogen Management in Corn – presenter Javed Iqbal
- 3:45-4:35 p.m. — Climate Smart Soil and Nutrient Management – presenter Bijesh Maharjan
- 4:35-5 p.m. — Discussion
Agenda for Feb. 5, 2025
- 8 a.m. — Registration
- 8:30-9:20 a.m. — Phosphorus Fertilization Strategies for Corn and Soybean – presenter Javed Iqbal
- 9:25-10:15 a.m. — Soil and Source Testing for Nutrient Management through NRCS – presenter Corey Brubaker, NRCS
- 10:15-10:30 a.m. — Break
- 10:30-11:20 a.m. — The Impact of Soil Microbes on Nutrient Dynamics and Soil-Plant Functions – presenter Rhae Drijber
- 11:25 a.m.-12:15 p.m. — Vadose Zone Nitrogen Movement – presenter Aarron Daigh
- 12:15-1:05 p.m. — Lunch
- 1:05-1:55 p.m. — The Role of Manure in Sustainable Cropping Systems – presenter Amy Schmidt
- 2:00-2:50 p.m. — Soil Health Sampling and Analysis, In-Field Assessment, and NRCS Programs – presenter Nathan Mueller, NRCS
- 2:50-3:00 p.m. — Break
- 3:00-3:50 p.m. — Application of Biochar to Improve Functioning of Agricultural Soil under Corn/Soybean Rotations – Insights from Field Experiments in Nebraska – presenter Michael Kaiser
- 3:50-4:20 p.m. — Discussion
- 4:20 p.m. — Adjourn
These topics can also be viewed in the 2025 Soils School Agenda.
Registration fees are $295 for members of the Nebraska Agri-Business Association and $395 for non-members. Interested individuals can register online through the Nebraska Agri-Business Association’s calendar page.
For more information, please contact Javed Iqbal, nutrient management and water quality specialist.
