UNL TESTING AG PERFORMANCE SOLUTIONS (UNL-TAPS)
Agronomy & Pest Management
Chuck Burr
Extension Educator
Alma
Abstract
The TAPS program was established in 2017 at the WCREEC in North Platte, Nebraska. The two primary agricultural production challenges in the area were and continue to be limited water resources and increasing levels of nitrate in the groundwater. In addition, crop prices at the time were at economically challenging levels. To address these issues, our TAPS team focused on profitability and input use efficiency when developing the TAPS program. Primary goals of the program were to: Increase adoption of practices to reduce cost of production; Increase use of marketing tools to improve profitability; and Increase adoption of best management practices to improve water and nitrogen efficiency. The program was designed to incorporate and engage agricultural researchers, technology providers, industry personnel, state and federal agency partners along with farmers. TAPS participants make a series of farm management decisions. The agronomic decisions are imposed on replicated plots in a single field. Yield and water nitrogen efficiency are calculated to determine a Highest Input Use Efficiency Award ($1,500). Economic decisions are kept track of to calculate the Most Profitable Award ($1,500). 2024 TAPS competitions included Sprinkler Corn, Continuous Corn, Soybeans and Grain Sorghum. At the end of the year we have an awards banquet attended by 150+ individuals and produce a TAPS Project Report that is released as an Extension Circular. In 2024 we had 171 participants, of which about half were new to the program. We have 968 Twitter followers, 86 Facebook followers and 468 Digital Newsletter subscribers. An interview of participants after the 2022 growing season showed that 75% of 2022 survey participants have adopted new ag technology and 86% have adopted new management practices on their farm, at least on a trial basis, as a result of competing in TAPS.
Authors: Chuck Burr, Aaron Nygren, Chris Proctor, Matt Stockton, Krystle Rhoades
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Chuck Burr Extension Educator, Nebraska Extension, Nebraska, 68920
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Aaron Nygren Extension Educator, Nebraska Extension, Nebraska, 68003
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Chris Proctor Extension TAPS Educator, Nebraska Extension, Nebraska, 68585
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Matt Stockton Extension Ag Economist, Nebraska Extension, Nebraska, 69101
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Krystle Rhoades TAPS Program Manager, Nebraska Extension, Nebraska, 69130