Laura Thompson - Former Extension Educator

Laura Thompson

student, faculty
Work
1700 Stone St Falls City NE 68355-2033
US
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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, Nebraska Extension educators, and NRCS employees at the NRCS-Nebraska Extension Soil Health Initiative Meeting held in York earlier this year. (Photo by Laura Thompson)
Figure 1. Farmers, Nebraska Extension educators, and NRCS employees at the NRCS-Nebraska Extension Soil Health Initiative Meeting held in York earlier this year. (Photo by Laura Thompson)

Why Growers are Adopting Practices to Build Soil Health

July 11, 2019
Growers conducting on-farm demonstrations as part of the Nebraska Soil Health Initiative met with UNL and NRCS staff to share about what they were doing and learning on their farms. Their work offers valuable insights for other growers considering how they too can build soil health on their farms.

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Farmer field testing two cover crop management options

Farmers Find Solutions Through Nebraska Soil Health Initiative

July 11, 2019
How can we manage cropland to improve soil health? To test and encourage adoption of soil health practices, the Soil Health Demonstration Initiative was launched as a collaborative effort of growers, UNL and NRCS. Now a network of farm research sites is providing valuable information from in-field studies.

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In-season nitrogen (UAN) is applied to corn in an on-farm research study. For fields with suspected nitrogen loss, on-farm research is a great way to evaluate in-season N rates and recommendation approaches. (Photo by Richard Ferguson)
In-season nitrogen (UAN) is applied to corn in an on-farm research study. For fields with suspected nitrogen loss, on-farm research is a great way to evaluate in-season N rates and recommendation approaches. (Photo by Richard Ferguson)

Does Your Corn Need Added Nitrogen? On-farm Research can Help Evaluate That

June 21, 2019
Knowing how much nitrogen (N) to apply to corn is challenging, especially in wet years, but on-farm research can help evaluate your N program to get the answers This article looks at several times of N trials conducted by other growers and invites you to learn how to set up your own trial yet this season.

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Farmers at On-Farm Research Network meeting
Figure 1. Growers surveyed about why they conduct on-farm research said that, among other benefits, they appreciated getting to share their results and talk with other growers about their research at winter meetings.

Study Highlights Motivations and Impact of Participating in an On-Farm Research Network

May 31, 2019
Forty Nebraska growers participating in the On-Farm Research Network recently shared why they conduct on-farm research and what it's meant to be part of a group of researchers. The results, published in the Agronomy Journal, illustrate a range of benefits, including cost savings and economic gains.

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Applying anhydrous and putting in a nitrogen test plot.
Figure 1. Applying anhydrous as part of a Nebraska On-Farm Research Network nitrogen study. (Photo by Laura Thompson)

On-Farm Research Options Still Available for this Season

May 3, 2019
There’s still time to add an on-farm research component to your operation this year. Nebraska Extension educators can help design a project that yields reliable, field-tested data for your production decisions.

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Layout of data-intensive prescription research conducted in Saunders County
Layout of data-intensive prescription research conducted in Saunders County

Soybean Seeding Rates

April 18, 2019
Research from Nebraska farmers and Midwest universities suggests seeding rates for soybeans can often be decreased without affecting yield. These decreases could save growers $10 an acre in seed costs.

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Combining soybeans in 2018
University researchers are seeking 20 growers in eastern Nebraska to study practices to improve soybean yields.

Study Area Expanded for Growers Interested in Participating in Soybean Yield Gap Research

March 28, 2019
The Nebraska On-Farm Research Network (NOFRN) has expanded the area where it is seeking 20 farmers to study how to optimize soybean yields. Here's more on the practices being studied and what's needed from the growers and the university researchers.

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Extension Educator Nathan Mueller and grower Ryan Siefken scout an on-farm soybean research plot in eastern Nebraska. (Photo by Laura Thompson)
Extension Educator Nathan Mueller and grower Ryan Siefken scout an on-farm soybean research plot in eastern Nebraska. (Photo by Laura Thompson)

20 Growers Sought for Soybean Yield Gap Study

February 8, 2019
The Nebraska On-Farm Research Network (NOFRN) is seeking 20 farmers to participate in a study of how to optimize soybean yields. Here's more on the practices being studied and what's needed from the growers and the university researchers.

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