Dry bean growers can hear the latest on insect management, irrigation, on-farm research, weed management and industry developments during the 2026 Bean Growers Day, Tuesday, Aug. 25, at the Henry J. Stumpf International Wheat Center near Grant, Nebraska.
Western bean cutworm has been prevalent in many dry bean fields this year. Pin-Chu Lai, Nebraska Extension entomologist, will provide a refresher on scouting fields for western bean cutworm and share a research update on thrips, which overwinter locally and are widely distributed in Nebraska. Current research is also examining management thresholds for thrips.
Nebraska Extension Educator John Thomas will provide an update on dry bean on-farm research.
“We have five studies altogether this year and with several growers,” Thomas said. “We're looking at everything from varieties of black-eyed peas, which is a type of bean, to populations of black-eyed peas. We're also looking at some biological products on both Great Northerns and pinto beans.”
The free event will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 25, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. MT. Lunch will be provided, and registration is requested to ensure an accurate lunch count. Call 308-352-4340 to register.
CCA credits will be available.
Agenda
- 8:30–8:50 a.m. — Sign-in and coffee
- 8:50–9 a.m. — Welcome, Samantha Daniel, crops and water extension educator
- 9–9:30 a.m. — “On-Farm Research Update,” John Thomas, crops and water extension educator
- 9:30–10:10 a.m. — “Dry Beans Under Limited Water: 2026 Irrigation Season and New Management Tools,” Xin Qiao, irrigation specialist
- 10:10–10:50 a.m. — “Research Updates on Thrips and Western Bean Cutworm Refresher,” Pin-Chu Lai, entomology specialist, and Samantha Daniel, crops and water extension educator
- 10:50–11:20 a.m. — “Industry Update,” Courtney Schuler, field operations manager for Trinidad Benham
- 11:20 a.m.–12:15 p.m. — “Black-Eyed Pea Variety Plots,” Justin Richardson, farm manager, Stumpf Research Facility, plot background; Courtney Schuler and Riley Yermasek, Trinidad Benham, on varieties
- 12:15–1 p.m. — Lunch
- 1–2:15 p.m. — “What Was Panhandle Weed Science Doing in 2026?,” Nevin Lawrence, weed management specialist
- 2:15 p.m. — Complete evaluation and adjourn
Lunch is sponsored by Jacks Bean, Kelley Bean, Trinidad Benham and the Nebraska Dry Bean Commission.
Henry J. Stumpf International Wheat Center is located at 76025 Rd 329, Grant, NE 69140.
