Collage of people attending soil health events in 2023
In a recent survey conducted by the Soil Health Team, 43% of respondents reported that they have implemented soil health practices influenced by UNL soil health events. (Image by Carolina Córdova)

UNL Soil Health Team Celebrates Year of Success in Advancing Sustainable Agriculture

January 3, 2024
Following eight successful events that stand to impact nearly 13 million acres of U.S. farmland, preparations are underway by the UNL Soil Health Team to deliver more robust sustainable ag research and innovations in 2024.

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Cover crop field at WCREEC
Cover crop plots at the UNL West Central Research Extension and Education Center in North Platte. (Photo by Chabella Guzman)

Cover Crops a Focus at Annual WREEC Water and Crops Field Day

September 1, 2023
Producers at the field day swapped ideas and observations about cover crop production, and heard from extension educators and agronomists about best practices for their agricultural regions.

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Cover crop field
If you don’t grow something, Mother Nature will. The hairy vetch cover crop is suppressing weeds on the left compared to the no cover crop treatment on the right.

2023 Cover Crop and Soil Health Field Day

August 31, 2023
The Sept. 19 event will feature research updates on Rogers Memorial Farm's 43-year tillage study, cover crop selection and performance, and more.

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Alfalfa harvest
You can harvest seeding year alfalfa as early as 40 days after emergence, but if you can wait until 60 days, you'll benefit from increased root development, which helps avoid issues from soil compaction and surface soil dryness.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Planting Forage in Stubble and Seeding Year Alfalfa Management

June 20, 2023
Tips on planting forages into wheat and rye stubble, how to get the most from your first-year alfalfa and controlling yucca plants on rangeland in western and central Nebraska.

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Musk thistle
Musk thistle control should be done in spring when plants are in their short rosette growth form, as herbicides are ineffective after the flowering stage.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Equipment Maintenance, Controlling Musk Thistle and No-Till on the Plains Tours

May 11, 2023
This week, extension educators review a checklist for pre-season hay equipment maintenance, tips for controlling musk thistle in pastures, and details of this year's No-Till on the Plains Whirlwind tours in June.

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Cover crop field
Attendees will get a first-hand look at the effects of tillage on soil health at this year's Soil Health and Cover Crop Field Day on Sept. 20 at the University of Nebraska Rogers Memorial Farm near Lincoln.

2022 Cover Crop and Soil Health Field Day

September 8, 2022
This year's field day will feature a new statewide study evaluating cover crop variety selection and performance, on-site examinations of soil from a long-term tillage study and more.

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Farmer in harvested field

USDA Report Shows a Decade of Conservation Trends

April 6, 2022
A new USDA report shows use of no-till, crop rotations, more efficient irrigation methods and advanced technologies have climbed in recent years.

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Gillespie soil presentation

Dan Gillespie Soil Health Fund Established to Promote Regenerative Agriculture

December 16, 2021
The Dan Gillespie Soil Health Fund was created this year to celebrate and honor the Battle Creek farmer's longtime dedication to soil health and regenerative agriculture in Nebraska, including 33 years as USDA NRCS' no-till specialist.

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