2026 Soybean Management Field Days

2026 Soybean Management Field Days

Four days, four locations

Each location featuring a different focus Sessions with interactive discussion 

Complimentary meal and refreshments

Please register 2 days in advance online or call 402-624-8030

• Over 25 years of providing growers with the latest in soybean production, management and marketing, now incorporating a Soybean TAPS competition focusing on profitability and efficiency.
• Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about the latest techniques and technologies in soybean production, while also networking with fellow farmers and industry experts. Learn best practices you can implement in your fields. Discuss issues important to you, from county specific to worldwide.

• Learn about what the Nebraska Soybean Board is doing in research, marketing and education.

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Tuesday, Aug. 11 – North Platte, NE (West Central Research, Extension and Education Center)

6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (5:30 p.m. – Registration)

Topics – Soybean TAPS competition, soybean management, and crush facility

• Learn insights from the Soybean TAPS before exploring weed control, irrigation, fertility, insects, diseases, and current research plots. In addition, you’ll hear an update on progress with the North Platte soybean crush facility as well as from your local Nebraska Soybean Board and Nebraska Soybean Association representatives.
  • Nicholas Cafaro La Menza, Nebraska Extension Assistant Professor
  • Milos Zaric, Nebraska Extension Assistant Professor
  • Abia Katimbo, Nebraska Extension Assistant Professor
  • Talon Mues, Nebraska Extension Instructor
  • Todd Whitney, Nebraska Extension Educator
  • Chuck Burr, Nebraska Extension Educator
  • Andrea Rilakovic, Nebraska Extension Educator
  • Walter Cronin, White River Nutrition

Directions:

Coming from East/West – From Interstate I-80 east or west, take exit 177 and merge onto US-83/S Jeffers St toward McCook. From I-80 travel south on US-83 for 1.5 miles, then turn west onto W. State Farm Rd for 450 feet. Facility is on south side of road on S Snyder Drive.
Coming from South – Traveling north on US-83, turn west on W. State Farm Road for 450 feet. 

Facility is on south side of road.

Google maps: https://go.unl.edu/smfd1

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Wednesday, Aug. 12 – Central City, NE (Herbig Brothers farm)

6:00p.m. to 8:00p.m. (5:30 p.m. – Registration)

Topics – Soybean TAPS competition, managing iron chlorosis, and soybean irrigation

• Learn insights from the Soybean TAPS competition before learning more about how to deal with iron chlorosis in soybeans. We will end the night walking a nearby soybean field and talking through end of season irrigation management in soybeans. In addition, you’ll hear from your local Nebraska Soybean Board and Nebraska Soybean Association representatives.

  • Dylan Mangel, Nebraska Extension Plant Pathologist​

  • Steve Melvin, Nebraska Extension Educator​

  • Chris Proctor, Nebraska Extension Educator​

  • Nicholas Cafaro La Menza, Nebraska Extension Assistant Professor​

Directions:

Coming from East/West – From Highway NE-92, turn south onto NE-14 S. Travel 2 miles south on NE-14, then turn east onto Q road and head east for 1 mile. Turn south onto 17thRd and head south for .6 miles. 
Coming from South – Heading north from the intersection of NE-14 and US-30 in Central City travel 2.2 miles. Turn east onto P Road and head east for 1 mile. Turn north onto 17thRd and head north for .4 miles. 

Farmstead is on west side of road.

Google map: https://go.unl.edu/smfd2

Thursday, Aug. 13 – Crete, NE (Mike Gropp farm)

6:00 p.m. to 8 :00p.m. (5:30 p.m. – Registration)

Topics – Soybean TAPS competition and soybean gall midge research plot tour

• Learn insights from the Soybean TAPS competition before having the opportunity to learn more about controlling soybean gall midge by walking a variety of research plots being conducted on Mike’s farm. In addition, you’ll hear from your local Nebraska Soybean Board and Nebraska Soybean Association representatives. 

  • Justin McMechan, Nebraska Extension Crop Protection and Cropping Systems Specialist​

  • Matheus Ribeiro, Nebraska Extension Educator​

  • Chris Proctor, Nebraska Extension Educator

  • John Nelson, Nebraska Extension Educator​

Directions:

Coming from West – From the intersection of NE-33 and NE-103 west of Crete, continue heading east on NE-33 straight through Crete. Road will turn into Rd F east of Crete, then W Sprague Rd after entering Lancaster County. Field day is 5 miles east of Crete on south side of road.
Coming from North – Turn south onto SW 98th St just west of Denton. Head south for 8 miles following curve as road switches to SW 100th St. Turn east on to W Sprague Road for 1 mile. 

Field day is on south side of road.

Parking on SW 86th St is advised, which will be a short walk to the field site.

Google maps: https://go.unl.edu/smfd3

Friday, Aug. 14 – Mead, NE (UNL Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension & Education Center)

10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (9:30 a.m. – Registration)

Topics – Soybean TAPS competition and plot tour

Join us Friday morning to hear from a variety of speakers. We will lead off with insights learned from three years of the Soybean TAPS competition, then Garrett Ruskamp, of Pioneer Farmer, will walk through the five common and costly mistakes that quietly drain farms and practical steps to correct them, and an overview of the current disease and insect pressure in soybeans. At lunch, you’ll hear from your local Nebraska Soybean Board and Nebraska Soybean Association representatives. In the afternoon, you’ll have the opportunity to tour the Soybean TAPS competition plots and visit with researchers out in the field about what they are seeing. 

• Garrett Ruskamp, Pioneer Farmer, Financial Coach​

• Chris Proctor, Nebraska Extension Educator​

• Chuck Burr, Nebraska Extension Educator​

• Dylan Mangel, Nebraska Extension Plant Pathologist​
• Aaron Nygren, Nebraska Extension Educator​
• Justin McMechan, Nebraska Extension Crop Protection and Cropping Systems Specialist​

Directions:

Coming from North – From Highway NE-92 east of Mead, turn south onto Road 10 and head south for 6 miles, then turn west onto NE-66 and head west for 0.9 miles.
Coming from West – From the intersection of US-77 and NE-66, head east on NE-66 for 6.8 miles. 

Field day will start at August N. Christensen Research and Education Building located on south side of road.

Google map: https://go.unl.edu/smfd4