For over 25 years, growers have benefited from the latest advancements in soybean production, management and marketing at Nebraska Extension’s Soybean Management Field Days. This August, the annual event offers practical insights into cutting-edge soybean management practices and technologies, along with opportunities to network with fellow farmers and industry experts.
For the third consecutive year, the Testing Ag Performance Solutions (TAPS) soybean competition results will be featured during the field days, with updates on lessons learned from last season and progress in this year's contest.
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.”
Throughout the four-day event, attendees will be able to participate in two different formats: one in the evening and the other during the day.
The evening meetings, held Tuesday, Aug. 11–Thursday, Aug. 13, will feature presentations on locally relevant topics and engage participants in interactive discussions.
To conclude the week on Friday, Aug. 14, a field day starting mid-morning will highlight the Soybean TAPS contest with interactive discussions and a plot tour.
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
Tuesday, Aug. 11 – West Central Research, Extension and Education Center (WCREEC), North Platte
Registration at 5:30 p.m., program from 6-8 p.m.
- Topics: Soybean TAPS competition, short updates on western Nebraska soybean topics including weed control, irrigation, insect and disease control, fertility, and an update on the soybean crush facility project
- Speakers: Nicolás Cafaro la Menza, Milos Zaric, Abia Katimbo, Talon Mues, Todd Whitney, Chuck Burr, Andrea Rilakovic, Walter Cronin from White River Nutrition
Wednesday, Aug. 12 – Herbig Brothers farm, Central City
Registration at 5:30 p.m., program from 6-8 p.m.
- Topics: Soybean TAPS competition, managing iron chlorosis, and soybean irrigation
- Speakers: Dylan Mangel, Steve Melvin, Chris Proctor, Nicolás Cafaro la Menza
Thursday, Aug. 13 — Mike Gropp farm, Crete
Registration at 5:30 p.m., program from 6-8 p.m.
- Topics: Soybean TAPS competition and soybean gall midge research plot tour
- Speakers: Justin McMechan, Matheus Ribeiro, Chris Proctor, John Nelson
Morning Program
Friday, Aug. 14 — Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension and Education Center (ENREEC), near Mead
Registration at 9:30 a.m., program from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Topics: Soybean TAPS update, avoiding farm financial mistakes, IPM recommendations, and tour of competition plots.
- Speakers: Garrett Ruskamp of Pioneer Farmer, Chris Proctor, Chuck Burr, Dylan Mangel, Aaron Nygren, Justin McMechan
Attendees will also have the chance to 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.
Directions to Field Day Locations:
- WCREEC: 402 W. State Farm Rd., North Platte, NE 69101
- Herbig Brothers farm in Central City: View coordinates in Google Maps
- Mike Gropp farm in Crete: View coordinates in Google Maps
- ENREEC: 1071 County Rd. G, Ithaca, NE 68033
