Soil Health

Man assessing soil in field — The Soil Health Exchange is a new discussion forum, designed to give producers and ag stakeholders an avenue for direct communication with some of Nebraska's leading soil health experts for help with their soil health concerns, interpreting test reports and more.

Announcing: The Soil Health Exchange

September 27, 2023

The Soil Health Exchange is a new online forum where producers and ag stakeholders can engage with a team of soil health experts to discuss production issues and ideas, get assistance with understanding test results, and more.

Vesh Raj Thapa stands near soil sample display — Vesh Raj Thapa, UNL post-doctoral research assistant, stands behind root samples from the plots at WREEC in North Platte. (Photo by Chabella Guzman)

Roots, Another Important Aspect of Cover Crops

September 19, 2023

Researchers involved in a UNL-USDA NRCS study on cover crops highlight the importance of species selection, as each type of cover crop has a unique root system that contributes differently to soil health.

Aaron Hird gestures to soil and water samples — Aaron Hird, USDA NRCS state soil health specialist, demonstrates the outcome of different soil health practices with a rainfall simulation to Nebraska Soil Health School attendees at UNL’s Haskell Ag Lab on Aug. 2.

Nebraska Soil Health School: A Success Story of Collaboration and Learning

September 12, 2023

During its inaugural year, the Nebraska Soil Health School educated more than 200 producers and ag industry stakeholders on the latest research and practices for healthy soils to increase crop productivity.

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.

Warm-season Species for Soil Health and Forage Purposes

July 27, 2023

Taking advantage of summer heat and abundant sunlight, warm-season cover crops can accumulate impressive amounts of biomass, cover bare ground quickly, suppress weeds, reduce erosion and improve soil health.

Soil testing — Nebraska Extension and Cargill RegenConnect^® are sponsoring the Aug. 22 field day at the Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension and Education Center near Mead, Nebraska.

Register for the Last Summer Soil Health and Cover Crop Field Day Near Mead

July 27, 2023

Nebraska Extension educators and specialists will share the latest research on soil health methods, including cover crops, interseeding and biochar, and answer questions from attendees on their production concerns related to soil management.

Soil Health School participants watch outdoor demo — UNL Extension Engineer Paul Jasa points out key outcomes of the Nebraska NRCS rainfall simulator to onlookers at the conclusion of the Nebraska Soil Health School on June 28.

Don’t Miss UNL’s Haskell Ag Lab Soil Health School

July 13, 2023

The final 2023 Nebraska Soil Health School will be Aug. 1-2, featuring numerous speakers and hands-on activities, and free attendance for all participants.

Nebraska Soil Health School attendees listen to lecture — A participant at the Nebraska Soil Health School learns how to use the Munsell Soil Color Chart, an in-field tool useful for gauging the color characteristics of soil.

Nebraska Soil Health School Connects Farmers, Researchers, Conservationists and Ag Professionals

July 13, 2023

Attendees of the second Nebraska Soil Health School in North Platte heard the latest on fundamental soil health principles and research, and viewed numerous demos by UNL and NRCS experts.

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