Confronting Cropping Challenges to Tackle 2025 Problem Weeds and Pests in December Sessions

November 20, 2025

Confronting Cropping Challenges to Tackle 2025 Problem Weeds and Pests in December Sessions

By Aaron Nygren - Extension Educator, Amy Timmerman - Extension Educator, Kayla Nilson - Extension Educator, Leslie Johnson - Animal Manure Management Extension Educator, Mailson Freire de Oliveira – Assistant Extension Educator, Marina de Val-Hilden - Extension Educator, Nicole Luhr - Extension Educator, Travis J. Prochaska - Extension Educator, Steve Melvin - Extension Educator Irrigated Cropping Systems, Wayne Ohnesorg - Extension Educator

Brown mushroom-like apothecia emerging from moist soil and crop residue, indicating active white mold spore production in the field.

Get expert insights on 2025’s biggest cropping challenges and walk away ready to make more confident decisions for next season.

Dylan Mangel | Nebraska Extension

If 2025 threw challenges your way, the Confronting Cropping Challenges (CCC) program will help you make sense of them.

Nebraska Extension’s annual workshop for northeast Nebraska producers returns this December with timely, research-based updates on the most pressing issues from the 2025 growing season — and practical guidance to help you plan confidently for 2026. Now in its ninth year, CCC continues to earn strong reviews from growers for its field-tested, solutions-focused approach to crop problem-solving.

This year’s sessions will focus on several key issues that shaped the 2025 season in northeast Nebraska, including soybean defoliation, volunteer corn, Palmer amaranth and white mold. CCC also provides an opportunity for producers with private pesticide applicator licenses expiring in 2026 to complete recertification immediately following the program.

Program Schedule

All CCC workshops run from 1 to 5 p.m. at the following locations:

  • Wednesday, Dec. 3 — Osceola, Polk County Fairgrounds
  • Tuesday, Dec. 9 — West Point, Nielsen Community Center
  • Wednesday, Dec. 10 — Albion, Boone County Fairgrounds
  • Thursday, Dec. 11 — Bloomfield, Bloomfield City Community Center

Pesticide Applicator Recertification

Participants wishing to renew their private pesticide applicator license for 2026 must attend the full program. Although offered in 2025, recertifying this year will not shorten the length of your license — your certification will remain valid for the full cycle.

This session offers recertification only; producers seeking initial certification will need to attend a separate training offered January–April 2026.

Registration and Fees

  • $10 — CCC program only
  • $70 — CCC program + Private Pesticide Applicator Recertification (includes the standard $60 state training fee)

For more information, contact your local Nebraska Extension office.

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