Laura Thompson - Former 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

Farmers inspecting a field

Refine your Wheat Nitrogen Management through On-Farm Research

September 16, 2021
Are you interested in how agriculture technologies can improve nitrogen management on your farm?

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cover crops

Using Cover Crops to Reduce Nitrate Leaching in the Waverly Wellhead Protection Area

August 3, 2021
Nebraska Extension research on growing cover crops to reduce nitrate leaching and improving soil resilience in Nebraska communities where groundwater nitrate concentration in municipal wells is rising.

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Homemade interseeder
Figure 1. In 2019 in York County (left), the grower built his own interseeder and tested a nitrogen mix (4 lb/ac crimson clover, 3 lb/ac red clover, 2 lb/ac yellow sweet clover, 4 lb/ac Winterhawk annual ryegrass, 1.5 lb/ac impact forage collards, 1.5 lb/ac Trophy rapeseed) vs. diversity mix (2 lb/ac red clover, 2.5 lb/ac Hubam white seed clover, 4 lb/ac Winterhawk annual ryegrass, 1 lb/ac purple top turnip, 3 lb/ac golden flax, 0.5 lb/ac phacelia Angelia, 0.5 lb/ac chicory) interseeded at V5-V6 corn vs. check treatment. Seward County (right), a Hagie was used to broadcast interseed 10 lb/ac red clover and 5 lb/ac buckwheat into V6 corn vs. check treatment.

Results from Interseeding Cover Crops into Corn or Soybean

May 12, 2021
A summary of the studies conducted via Nebraska On-Farm Research and Soybean Management Field Days on interseeding cover crops into living corn and soybean.

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Tractor planting field
The best time to use starter is when the field is deficient in one or more nutrients.

Starter Fertilizer — When is it Needed?

April 3, 2024
As planting season begins, farmers often question if starter fertilizer is providing yield and economic benefits. This article reviews the two main reasons to use a starter and recommendations for a successful application. 

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Anhydrous application in field
Nebraska farmers working with the Nebraska On-Farm Research Network evaluated ability of nitrification inhibitors to protect N fertilizer, increase yield and profit.

Evaluation of Nitrification Inhibitors through the Nebraska On-Farm Research Network

April 7, 2021
This article summarizes the results of 10 on-farm research studies that evaluated similar inhibitor products. as part of the Precision Nitrogen Management on-farm research project.

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Extension educators analyze soybean field
Nebraska farmers can evaluate three soybean management practices aimed at increasing yields by working with the Nebraska On-Farm Research Network.

Three Practices May Help Farmers Achieve Higher Soybean Yields, Profits

April 5, 2021
Results of an on-farm research study that evaluated three management practices — planting date, seeding rate and the use of foliar fungicides and insecticides — to increase soybean yields. 

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Herz farm cover crop field

Effects and Economics of Grazing Cover Crops in a Three-Year Non-Irrigated Rotation

February 18, 2021
Nebraska Extension reveals findings from long-term crop and livestock system On-Farm Research study.

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Tractor in field

Growers Statewide to Share On-Farm Research via In Person and Online Events

January 29, 2021
The February meetings will feature discussion from growers who conducted on-farm research during the 2020 growing season.

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