Laura Thompson - Extension Educator

Laura Thompson

student, faculty
Graduate Student
Agronomy
Work
1700 Stone St Falls City NE 68355-2033
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

Attendees chat at table during 2023 meeting
Free to attend, the Annual Results Update meetings will provide Nebraskans the opportunity to hear on-farm research insights from the producers who conducted projects throughout 2023, as well as connect with Nebraska Extension educators.

Nebraska On-Farm Research Network Hosts 2024 Annual Results Update Meetings

January 29, 2024
The meetings will be hosted in five cities across Nebraska starting in mid-February, with free attendance and a complimentary 2023 Research Results book for all who attend.

Read more

Combine and soybean field

Nebraska Growers Help Estimate Field Variability in Soybean Protein and Oil Content

June 14, 2023
First-year results of a cooperative, multi-state research project aimed at helping growers achieve soybean yields with higher protein and oil content.

Read more

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.

Read more

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.

Read more

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.

Read more

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.

Read more

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.

Read more

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.

Read more