Alternative Crops

Aerial view of research plots
A view of some of the research plots surrounding the Panhandle Research, Extension and Education Center, taken by a drone.

Panhandle Center Hosts Field Day Aug. 19

August 5, 2021
The 2021 event will highlight up-to-date research on dry beans, corn, sugarbeets and alternative crops, and include tours of crop research plots and a chance to see new ag technology.

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Proso millet field
A pre-pandemic tour of a proso millet variety plots at High Plains Ag Lab near Sidney. After the pandemic, face-to-face field days will be possible again but the variety trial results are always available online as well.

2020 Proso Millet Variety Trial Results Available Online

March 10, 2021
Results of University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s 2020 variety trials for proso millet have been compiled and are now available on CropWatch.

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Integrated Weed Management Specialist Nevin Lawrence speaks in front of a weed control plot
During a research plot tour at the 2019 Panhandle Agricultural Research and Technology Tour (PARTT), Integrated Weed Management Specialist Nevin Lawrence speaks in front of a weed control plot.

Panhandle Center to Host Field Day Aug. 20

July 22, 2020
The University of Nebraska Panhandle Research and Extension Center will partner with the Nebraska Dry Bean Growers Association on August 20 to host the annual Panhandle Agricultural Research and Technology Tour (PARTT). The in-person event will be conducted with social distancing and other precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

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A mint variety trial plot at the Panhandle Center.
A mint variety trial plot at the Panhandle Center.

Alternative Crops Program Investigates Growing Mint in Western Nebraska

March 24, 2020
Mint is not grown commercially in Nebraska on a large scale yet – there are less than 500 acres – but a project at the University of Nebraska Panhandle Research and Extension Center at Scottsbluff is aimed at providing answers about whether farmers could grow it here and which varieties might grow best.

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Figure 1. Nevin Lawrence, integrated weed management specialist, shows an individual rubber dandelion plant in the greenhouse at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Panhandle Research and Extension Center.
Figure 1. Nevin Lawrence, integrated weed management specialist, shows an individual rubber dandelion plant in the greenhouse at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Panhandle Research and Extension Center. (Photos by David Ostdiek)

Can Nebraska Grow Rubber-Producing Dandelions on a Farm Scale?

May 17, 2019
Panhandle researchers are working with those in other states to test agronomic conditions and practices best suited to the production of rubber dandelions. While it's too early to tell, it might be a viable alternative crop one day.

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Field peas

Adoption of Yellow Field Pea: Replacing Summer Fallow with Field Pea and the Relationship between Planting Timing, Population, and Yield

January 9, 2018
How much will yellow field pea affect soil fertility and soil water content when replacing fallow in a wheat-corn-fallow rotation? This article from the 2019 Crop Production Clinic Proceedings.reports on 2018 research to address this question.

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Tyler Williams speaks at one of the 2018 Successful Farmer sessions
Tyler Williams, climate and crops extension educator in Lancaster County, speaks at one of the 2018 Successful Farmer sessions.

Extension Successful Farmer Series Starts January 4

December 12, 2018
Friday mornings from Jan. 4 to Feb. 8 Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County will host a meeting series on timely topics for eastern Nebraska farmers. Can't get into town that day? The sessions will also be live streamed.

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Allison Rickey and Dipak Santra
UNL Research Technician Allison Rickey (left) and UNL Alternative Crops Breeding Specialist Dipak Santra inspect a canola plot at the Panhandle Research and Extension Center at Scottsbluff.

Canola Research May Lead to Additional Crop Option

May 17, 2016

May flowers aren’t the only plants blooming in western Nebraska.

Most irrigated row crops won’t emerge for weeks, but winter canola began blooming in early May in the research plots at the Panhandle Research and Extension Center, creating a bright yellow patch that catches the eye of travelers driving by on Highway 71 on the north edge of Scottsbluff.

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