2025 Nebraska Soybean Management Field Days Includes Second Year of TAPS Competition

July 24, 2025

A group of farmers and Nebraska Extension educators stand in a soybean field, discussing crop management during a summer field day event.
Back for its 27th year, Soybean Management Field Days combines time-tested agronomic insights with real-world results from the TAPS competition — helping growers turn innovation into action. In this photo, Nebraska Extension Entomologist Justin McMechan (center) shares pest management insights with producers during a 2024 Soybean Management Field Day stop.
Nebraska Extension photo

For over 25 years, growers have benefited from the latest advancements in soybean production, management and marketing at Soybean Management Field Days. This year marks the second year that the Soybean Testing Ag Performance Solutions (TAPS) competition highlights are included in the field days, including lessons from last year’s contest and progress this season.

The field days provide an opportunity to learn about cutting-edge soybean management, production practices and technologies, while networking with fellow farmers and industry experts. 

The three-fold focus of the field days is to provide practical information, foster dialogue and showcase collaborative efforts:

  • Learn about best practices and strategies to apply in your fields.
  • Engage in productive discussions on issues ranging from local to global.
  • Explore Nebraska Soybean Board (NSB) initiatives in research, marketing and education.

“Our goal is to give growers real value they can take home and use,” said Andy Chvatal, NSB executive director. “By highlighting programs like TAPS, we’re helping producers evaluate new ideas and learn directly from the results. In addition to TAPS, the field days also focus on timely topics that matter most to growers, including disease management, market updates and practical production strategies.” 

Throughout the four-day event, attendees will be able to participate in two different formats, one occurring in the evening and the other during the day. The evening meetings, held Aug. 12–14, will feature presentations on locally relevant topics and engage participants in interactive discussions. To conclude the week on Aug. 15, a field day starting mid-morning will highlight the Soybean TAPS contest with interactive discussions and a plot tour.

Nebraska Extension faculty stand under a large white event tent, speaking with attendees at the 2024 Soybean Management Field Day. Farmers sit at tables inside the tent, and a Nebraska Soybean Checkoff table display is visible in the foreground.
Nebraska Extension faculty gather under the main tent to welcome attendees at one of the 2024 Soybean Management Field Days. The event brings together producers, researchers and industry partners to share the latest in soybean production and management.

Soybean Management Field Days is free to attend thanks to support from NSB. To help with a meal count, please pre-register two days in advance of each field day via the online form or by calling 402-624-8030. 

Evening Programs

Registration at 5:30 p.m., program from 6-8 p.m.

map of route to Soybean Management Field Day site via nearby highways

 

map of route to Soybean Management Field Day site via nearby highways

 

map of route to Soybean Management Field Day site via nearby highways

 

Morning Program

Registration at 10 a.m., program from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

  • Friday, Aug. 15 – Mead, Nebraska (UNL Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension and Education Center)
    • Topics: Soybean TAPS update, tour of competition plots and market updates.
    • Speakers: Chris Proctor, Jeff Peterson, Chuck Burr, Dylan Mangel, Aaron Nygren, Justin McMechan
map of route to Soybean Management Field Day site via nearby highways

 

Attendees will also have the chance to hear from MEG Corp about soy biodiesel and connect with representatives from NSB and Nebraska Soybean Association at each location.

Registration and information about the field days, including maps to the event sites can be found on the SMFD homepage, or by contacting NSB at 402-441-3240 or Nebraska Extension at 402-624-8030.

Register