The University of Nebraska–Lincoln Crop Performance Testing Program will launch its annual wheat variety tours in June, featuring seven field locations from Jefferson to Banner County. Hosted by local farmer-cooperators and university farm managers, these tours highlight 84 unique wheat varieties and experimental lines being tested across the state.
Department of Agronomy and Horticulture Associate Professor Cody Creech and Research Associate Professor Amanda Easterly will lead the tours. They will be joined by Katherine Frels, agronomy and horticulture assistant professor and small grains breeder, and Stephen Wegulo, Department of Plant Pathology small grains plant pathologist, who will provide updates and answer questions. Seed industry partners will also share insights.
The Banner and Deuel County events will be grower-led, offering added opportunities for one-on-one engagement with the Nebraska wheat team.
Plots will be labeled about a week before each tour and remain accessible until harvest for those unable to attend. For questions or accessibility accommodations, please contact Easterly at 308-254-3918.
Follow @UNLVarietyTest and @HuskerWheat on Twitter/X for real-time updates and to submit questions. Attendance is free and open to all.
RSVP is requested online for the tour and field day at the UNL Stumpf International Wheat Research Center; schedule changes and other details on all tours will be posted on the registration page as well.
Following are dates, times and locations/driving directions:
Knobel Seeds, Jefferson County
Thursday, June 5, 5 p.m. CDT
- GPS: 40.236895, -97.199412
Directions: From Fairbury: Take Hwy 15 North to Rd 718th (low maintenance road) or 717th Rd. Go one mile West to 567th Rd and turn back North. Plot is on West side of road across from farm place.
Peters Seed Farms, McCook, Hitchcock County
Monday, June 9, 5 p.m. CDT
- GPS: 40.113788, -100.817478
Directions: Travel South from Culbertson on Hwy 17 and West on Rd 710. Field is south of the grain bins on Road 710. It is across the highway from the stone church.
Stumpf International Wheat Research Center, Perkins County
Tuesday, June 10, 9 a.m. MDT.
- GPS: 40.849211, -101.705777
Directions: Meet at the Stumpf Building/Perkins County Extension. From Highway 61, take Road 761 east 1 mile and turn south on Road 329. The building is half a mile south on the east side of the road. Transportation to field sites will be provided. Includes updates on Irrigated and Dryland Variety Trials as well as other research from UNL faculty ongoing at Stumpf Farm. Lunch provided but RSVP requested online.
V&F Seeds, Deuel County
Tuesday, June 10, 5 p.m. MDT
- GPS: 41.17396, -102.247106
Directions: From Hwy 30 turn North on Rd 189 to 1/2 mile North of Rd 24. Field is on West side of road.
High Plains Agricultural Lab, Cheyenne County
Wednesday, June 11, 8:30 a.m. MDT
- GPS: 41.227792, -103.003339
Directions: Meet at HPAL Shop. From Sidney, take Highway 385 north and turn west on Road 32 at the Huntsman Elevator. Turn north on the paved road just west of Road 111 to follow to Road 32N and stay on the north loop. The shop will be marked with signs. Park on the north side of the road in the grass parking lot. Transportation to field sites will be provided. Includes tour of variety trials as well as other UNL projects including those on wheat stem sawfly. Lunch served after tours.
Cullan Farm Seed, Hemingford, Box Butte County
Wednesday, June 11, 3 p.m. MDT – Irrigated Trial
- GPS: 42.294695, -103.035414
Directions: From Hwy 2 (north of Alliance), turn East on Franklin Rd. Located in pivot North and East of Rd 68 intersection about 1/4 mile West of Cullan Farm Seed HQ.
Cullan Farm Seed, Hemingford, Box Butte County
Wednesday, June 11, 5 p.m. MDT – Rainfed Trial
- GPS: 42.248553, -103.018568
Directions: Turn West from Hwy 2 on to Hall Rd. Go past tree row and intersection to field on South side of the road.
Jim Wyatt Farm, Banner County
Thursday, June 12, 9 a.m. MDT
- GPS: 41.57525, -103.73586
Directions: From Hwy 71, turn West on Spur 4A. Continue straight to a gravel road with curve. Turn North at first crossroad and continue 1/2 mile. Plot is on West side of the road. Grower-led.
