Laura Thompson - Extension Educator

Laura Thompson

student, faculty
Graduate Student
Agronomy
Work
103 East 35th St Ste B Falls City NE 68355
US

Degrees
B.S. Agronomy (Soil Science focus), University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2012
M.S. Agronomy, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2014

Areas of Focus: On-farm research, ag technologies

Extension Interests: Co-coordinates the Nebraska On-Farm Research Network, through which innovative growers from across the state use on-farm research to address critical production, profitability, and sustainability questions.

CW Profile: Thompson Pursues the Puzzles of On-Farm Research

Jon Walz with tractor
Stapleton farmer Jon Walz's on-farm research in 2021-22 focused on testing two nitrogen efficiency technologies. Because of this research, Walz was able reduce his nitrogen applications without losing yield, and increase profit. (Photo by Hannah Gaebel Dorn, HG Images)

On-Farm Research Encourages Lifelong Learning that Helps Your Farm

April 13, 2023
Studies are getting underway for the 2023 growing season, but there's still time and availability for Nebraska farmers who are interested in conducting on-farm research this year.

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Interseeded cover crops

On-Farm Research Early-season Interseeding into Corn and Soybean Results (2019-2022)

April 13, 2023
The final results of a three-year study on interseeding cover crops in early-season corn and soybean include observations on yield, soil quality and net return.

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Tractor spraying soil
For producers planting corn-on-corn this growing season, Nebraska Extension encourages taking soil samples to determine accurate nitrate levels and adjusting N application rates accordingly, as there may be considerable amounts of residual nitrogen left from the previous corn crop.

Understanding Soil Residual Nitrogen and its Dollar Value for Next Crop

March 14, 2023
For producers planning corn-on-corn this growing season, there may be a substantial opportunity to reduce nitrogen fertilizer applications, as drought and reduced yields likely left higher-than-normal residual N in many fields.

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2022 On-Farm Research Results book cover
All Nebraska On-Farm Research results books are free to the public and available as PDF downloads.

Nebraska On-Farm Research Network Releases 2022 Results Publication

March 1, 2023
The nearly 70 on-farm research studies conducted by Nebraska farmers in 2022 addressed fertility and soil management, cover crops, crop protection, equipment and non-traditional products, including biologicals.

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Software screen
A variable rate nitrogen prescription is applied on Monte Murkel’s Nebraska farm as part of a Nebraska On-Farm Research study to evaluate how optimum nitrogen rate varied in his field.

Farmer Focus: Wheat Producer Explores NinjaAg’s Performance in Nitrogen Management

October 12, 2022
Results of Nebraska farmer Monte Murkle's on-farm research study to determine whether a variable rate nitrogen prescription is an improvement to his traditional flat-rate nitrogen management.

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Departure from normal precip 2022
Figure 1. Departure from normal precipitation during 2022 growing season in Nebraska.

Another Dry Year: What to Know About Leftover Nitrogen in Soil Following Dry Conditions

September 28, 2022
In irrigated or dryland areas with normal production, management practices may continue as normal, but for dryland areas with drastic yield reductions, there is potential for nitrogen fertilizer adjustment for the 2023 crop.

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Angela Knuth and NASA members
Figure 1. Angela Knuth shows some of the NASA team the current technology that they use and ways that she would like to see improvements to increase efficiency on the farm.

NASA’s Earth Sciences Division Visits Nebraska Farms

September 7, 2022
The Space for Ag tour brought NASA scientists and Nebraska farmers together to collaborate on new ways NASA technology and tools can support the agriculture industry.

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On-farm research field
Nebraska grower Jon Walz was one of 35 producers involved in the Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG) evaluating various technologies to improve their nitrogen use efficiency. (Photo by Elizabeth Hodges)

Farmer Focus: Producer Engages in On-Farm Research Project to Cut Input Costs

July 14, 2022
Results of one Nebraska grower's on-farm research on reducing nitrogen inputs by using a Trimble GreenSeeker crop sensor and Corteva's Granular Insights decision support system.

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