Crop Scouting

Wheat stem sawfly on wheat leaf
Featuring the latest research and unbiased insights on emerging methods, Nebraska Extension crop scouting clinics empower farmers to manage crops more efficiently and profitably, as early detection of pests lowers input costs, increases yield, and enhances their resiliency against crop production challenges like evolving pest pressures or unexpected weather changes.

Nebraska’s Notorious Crop Pests the Focus of Extension Scouting Clinic on Dec. 5

November 6, 2024
Unmask the source of your crop complications — attend extension's next crop scouting clinic in Grant to enhance your scouting expertise and thwart the efforts of wheat stem sawfly, bacterial leaf streak and more.

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Man examines corn plants with three youths in field
Members of Colfax County 4-H Team #1 diligently inspect a corn field during the 2024 Youth Crop Scouting Competition. (Photos courtesy Brandy VanDeWalle)

Colfax County Claims Top Honors at 2024 Youth Crop Scouting Competition

September 11, 2024
Snagging both first and third place in this year's competition, the 4-H'ers of Colfax County are once again proving their reputation as agronomy aficionados. 

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Adult speaks to three youth in field
Nebraska Extension Educator Nathan Mueller chats with participants during the 2023 Youth Crop Scouting Competition. (CropWatch file photo)

Registration Open for 2024 Youth Crop Scouting Competition

May 15, 2024
The top three teams of the 2024 crop scouting competition will receive cash prizes, and the top two teams will advance onto regionals.

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Men and women stand around tables looking at container plants
Attendees of the 2023 crop scout training course examine plants during one of the hands-on activities. (Nebraska Extension photo)

Nebraska Extension Offers Introductory-level Crop Scout Training May 21

May 1, 2024
The 2024 training course will review a wide variety of crop scouting concerns, such as drone scouting best practices, identifying nutrient deficiencies and insect damage in corn and soybean, and detecting weed seedlings.

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Competition participants in group photo
Eight teams comprised of Nebraska youth competed in this year's Nebraska Youth Crop Scouting Competition.

Nebraska Youth Crop Scouting Competition Results

August 17, 2023
Following their third place victory in 2022, the Colfax County 4-H #2 team claimed first place honors in this year's competition, securing the opportunity to compete at regionals in September.

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Crop Scout Training participants
During the one-day course, participants will get the chance to receive hands-on training in the field from Nebraska Extension specialists and educators.

Nebraska Extension Offers Introductory Level Crop Scout Training May 23

April 27, 2023
This year's course will enhance participants' knowledge of corn and soybean production in Nebraska, including: crop growth and development; insect and weed scouting, identification and management; and nutrient deficiencies.

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Plant in seedling container

Nebraska Extension Offers Introductory Level Crop Scout Training May 17

April 13, 2022
The in-person training course is designed to give entry-level scouts and students the opportunity to learn practical knowledge on crop scouting to improve their accuracy in the field, as well as growers who would like to improve productivity.

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FarmBits podcast episode banner
Hosted by Samantha Teten and Jackson Stansell — graduate students in UNL's Department of Biological Systems Engineering and Nebraska Extension Digital Agriculture team members — FarmBits Podcast is a weekly series highlighting new innovations and trends in digital agriculture through interviews with academic experts, farmers and industry specialists.

FarmBits Podcast: Sky-High Scouting

August 5, 2021
Taranis Regional Sales Manager Tim Pearson highlights the company’s approach to scouting — specifically the technology used in Taranis’ precision scouting services, and how it is making scouting operations more efficient.

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