Bob Nielsen, Purdue University Extension corn specialist and host of the Chat 'n Chew Cafe, will be discussing production costs that growers may want to take a closer look at for 2016, including nutrient applications and rates, corn seeding rates, and hybrid selection.

"Today's seeds are a costly input," Nielsen said. Given several years of weather extremes, Nielsen noted the importance of selecting hybrids that have proven resilient to a variety of unpredictable weather stresses as well as being good yield producers. "Then, if we can minimize other stresses on the crop, we can minimize year to year yield swings and the resulting income swings."

Nathan Mueller, Nebraska Extension Cropping Systems Educator, is the host for the Jan. 7 Fremont Corn Expo which will focus on Finding Profit in 2016.

“This is a great local event for corn growers to interact with local ag businesses and learn from regional corn production experts,” Nathan said. “With great food, prizes, and exhibits, it is an event you won’t want to miss.”

The Fremont Corn Expo will be from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Christensen Field in Fremont. The event is free and includes a waffle and sausage breakfast, lunch, and popcorn as well as door prizes from exhibiting agricultural companies. Attendees can receive 3.5 CEUs.

Presentations and speakers include:

• Utilizing On-Farm Research to Evaluate Profitable Practices with Laura Thompson, Nebraska Extension On-Farm Research Coordinator
• What We Learned from the Corn Yield Contest That Helped Our Farm Profit with a panel of corn producers from southeast Nebraska: John McNamara, Plattsmouth; Mike Scholting, Louisville; Brent Hopkins, Rogers; Tony Johanson, Oakland
• Business and Industry Update with representatives of the Fremont Area Chamber of Commerce; Nebraska Corn Growers Association; Nebraska Corn Board; and Dodge and Colfax County Farm Bureau
• Economic Impact of Expanding Livestock Production: Corn Demand with Eric Thompson, UNL Economist
• Battling Corn Diseases: When is it Worth It? with Tamra Jackson-Ziems, Nebraska Extension Corn Plant Pathologist

At 3 p.m. Nebraska Extension Educator Aaron Nygren will conduct nitrogen certification and water conservation training for producers in the Lower Platte North NRD.

More Information

See the program brochure or Mueller's blog, CropTechCafe.org/fremontcornexpo