August 10, 2007

Plan now to stop by UNL's Husker Red building during Husker Harvest Days Sept. 11-13 for a look at programs from UNL's Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources and Extension on a wide range of topics. The Husker Red metal building is located at Lot 325 on the Husker Harvest Days grounds near Grand Island.

UNL's Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR) will have a stronger presence with more exhibits than last year, all for Nebraska producers and families.

"This year's weather and diseases have dealt big challenges to crop producers," said Larry Schulze, IANR Husker Harvest Days Coordinator and Pesticide Education Specialist. "The University's exhibits will specifically address these concerns. Management of rust and scab plant diseases is an example. Specialists with the Mobile Diagnostic Lab will be present to inspect plant samples and identify disease concerns. The Foundation Seed Division has will present "Nebraska Research to Reality in Wheat.'"

Students and their families exploring college options can visit with faculty from the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (Lincoln) and the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture (Curtis). All IANR campus departments will be represented at Husker Harvest Days and have information about courses of study and majors.

In the livestock arena, the Department of Animal Science will provide information on UNL's new companion animal program. The Veterinary and BioMedical Sciences Department is the source of information on melamine in pet food and blue-green algae concerns.

"Nebraskans will enjoy the wide range of exhibits and displays UNL Extension will bring to Husker Harvest Days," said Schulze. "A new adventure awaits Nebraskans this year with the University's BIT Mobile. It's a high-tech, portable computer classroom that travels Nebraska communities where citizens learn about eCommerce, eAgriculture and overall eKnowledge."

"We congratulate the Husker Harvest Days show management, sponsors, and supporters upon their 30th year of the show" Schulze said as he reflected upon the University's involvement in every year of the show. "We enjoy our friends and answering their questions at Husker Harvest Days. Our exhibits are specifically oriented towards efficient agricultural production, plus other exhibits address the needs of families such as strengthening family relationships and nutrition for a healthier you."

Exhibits focusing on concerns unique to this year include:

• Livestock Health — Tackling the BMD Virus
• Managing Turf Diseases
• Courses of Study for My Future
• Building Nebraska's Agricultural Leadership
• Management of Soybean Rust and Wheat Scab
• Nebraska's Noxious Weed Invaders
• UNL Food Processing Center: Developing Nebraska's Food Industry
• How Soybean Aphids Influence my Soybean Yields
• New Seed Varieties: What's Around the Corner
• Precision Agriculture: Technology in the Field
• My Pyramid - Steps to Healthier Meals
• Leadership, Teacher Education, and Journalism
• Using Climate Information in Agricultural Decision-Making

Other UNL Extension exhibit topics include:

• Quarter-scale Tractor - Student engineers present their international award-winning tractor
• Market Journal Interviews Nebraska's Ag Experts: live Internet video streaming
• Managing Nebraska's Lakes Against Algae
• Growing Within by Discovering 4-H and Discovering You
• Pesticide Safety: The Agricultural Health Study Guides Applicators In Proper Personal Protective Equipment
• Economics of Agriculture and Natural Resources
• Antique Tractor: Reliving Farm Memories

Market Journal

IANR's Market Journal program will deliver live, video-streaming Internet programs from its studio at the Husker Red building. Schulze invites show attendees to watch the production of these programs, broadcast on the Internet at http://MarketJournal.unl.edu. One hour programs will be broadcast twice each day during the show. Times and topics of interest include:

• Tuesday, 11:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m. Crop and Livestock Marketing
• Wednesday, 11:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m. Crop and Livestock Marketing
• Thursday, 11:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m. What's Up With the 2007 Farm Bill?