By Nicole Heldt – Research Project Coordinator Maharjan Soils Lab, UNL PREEC
Dryland cropping systems will be the focus of the April 24 Nebraska Soil Health School at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s (UNL) High Plains Ag Lab (HPAL).
Sponsored by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the free event held at the UNL High Plains Ag Lab in Sidney, will bring together two prominent keynote speakers to the area, Drs. David Nielsen and Gary Peterson. Attendees will have the opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge on reduced tillage, soil amendment strategies, and hear the latest soil health practices and management options specific to semi-arid dryland systems.
- Soil Health – Byproduct of improved soil and crop management practices: Gary Peterson, CSU professor emeritus
- Impact of tillage, biochar and cover crops on soils at the High Plains Ag Lab: Cody Creech, UNL associate professor and Fenster Professor of Dryland Agriculture
- Soil health measurement and carbon market: Bijesh Maharjan with Jessica Groskopf, UNL extension educator economics
- Impacts of tillage systems, crop residues and cover crops on soil water and yield in semi-arid dryland systems: David Nielsen, retired USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) research agronomist.
- NRCS soil health demonstrations and live rainfall simulator truck: Carlos Villarreal, USDA-NRCS state soil scientist and Riley Hackbart, soil scientist, USDA-NRCS
- High Plains Ag Lab research plot tours
A total of 6.5 certified crop advisor CEUs will be offered in nutrient management, soil and water management, crop management, and professional development. The school begins with check-in and refreshments at 7:30 and includes a smoked brisket lunch. Full agenda can be seen here: Nebraska-Soil-Health-School-April-2024-Agenda.pdf (unl.edu).
Register at https://unlcba.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3lr2CyTPO8AkWIC
For more information or questions, email nheldt@unl.edu or call (308) 632-1230.