Spring 2019
Download Full Schedule FlyerSeminars begin at 3:30 pm in 150 Keim Hall, East Campus, with refreshments served at 3 pm. Join us in person or online at https://go.unl.edu/agrohortseminar.
March 29
Seminar has been cancelled. Rescheduled for Fall 2019
Seminar has been cancelled. Rescheduled for Fall 2019
Input Use Efficiency and Farm Profitability as Influenced by Management Practices
DARAN RUDNICK
Assistant Professor, Irrigation Management Specialist, West Cenral Research and Extension Center, Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska—Lincoln
The Testing Ag Performance Solutions (TAPS) program provides a platform where producers can try new and emerging technologies and management strategies under a low risk environment. An overview of the TAPS program, along with management decisions made and their resulting efficiencies and profitability will be discussed.
DARAN RUDNICK
Assistant Professor, Irrigation Management Specialist, West Cenral Research and Extension Center, Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska—Lincoln
The Testing Ag Performance Solutions (TAPS) program provides a platform where producers can try new and emerging technologies and management strategies under a low risk environment. An overview of the TAPS program, along with management decisions made and their resulting efficiencies and profitability will be discussed.
Impacting People’s Lives – Strategies to Provide Nutrient-Enriched Staple Food Crops
MICHAEL GRUSAK
Center Director, USDA-ARS, Edward T. Schafer Agricultural Research Center, Fargo, North Dakota
Food crops can provide nutrients to people, but nutrient levels are not always adequate to supply required daily amounts. Grusak will discuss conceptual approaches to determine nutritional targets, along with transgenic strategies to increase iron and zinc concentrations, in cassava storage roots for African consumers.
MICHAEL GRUSAK
Center Director, USDA-ARS, Edward T. Schafer Agricultural Research Center, Fargo, North Dakota
Food crops can provide nutrients to people, but nutrient levels are not always adequate to supply required daily amounts. Grusak will discuss conceptual approaches to determine nutritional targets, along with transgenic strategies to increase iron and zinc concentrations, in cassava storage roots for African consumers.
Using Genomics to Characterize the Speed and Diversity of the Soybean Iron Stress Response
MICHELLE GRAHAM
Research Geneticist, USDA-ARS, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
Graham will discuss how reserving crop yield is critical for U.S. soybean production and the global economy. Crop species have been selected for increased yield for thousands of years with individual lines selected for improved performance in unique environments, constraints not experienced by model species such as Arabidopsis. Coupling plant breeding, genome-wide association studies and cutting-edge genomic approaches has revealed that genes involved in iron uptake and utilization, defense and DNA replication/methylation are the hallmarks of the soybean iron stress response.
MICHELLE GRAHAM
Research Geneticist, USDA-ARS, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
Graham will discuss how reserving crop yield is critical for U.S. soybean production and the global economy. Crop species have been selected for increased yield for thousands of years with individual lines selected for improved performance in unique environments, constraints not experienced by model species such as Arabidopsis. Coupling plant breeding, genome-wide association studies and cutting-edge genomic approaches has revealed that genes involved in iron uptake and utilization, defense and DNA replication/methylation are the hallmarks of the soybean iron stress response.
Decision-Making during Drought: What Spurs a Range Manager to Take Action?
TONYA HAIGH
Project Manager Rural Sociologist, School of Natural Resources, National Drought Mitigation Center, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
In 2016, a quickly-developing drought event occurred across the northern U.S. High Plains. Range and livestock managers made decisions throughout the drought that had consequences in terms of their farm/ranch finances, productivity, and ecological health. This talk will highlight managers’ drought management decisions, outcomes, information used, and the conditions and practices that led to improved outcomes.
TONYA HAIGH
Project Manager Rural Sociologist, School of Natural Resources, National Drought Mitigation Center, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
In 2016, a quickly-developing drought event occurred across the northern U.S. High Plains. Range and livestock managers made decisions throughout the drought that had consequences in terms of their farm/ranch finances, productivity, and ecological health. This talk will highlight managers’ drought management decisions, outcomes, information used, and the conditions and practices that led to improved outcomes.
Past Seminars - Spring 2019
Leveraging Nebraska’s Bioresources for Weed Control in Specialty Crops
SAM WORTMAN
Assistant Professor, Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska—Lincoln
Nebraska is rich in bioresources, many of which can be used in specialty cropping systems to provide valuable agronomic functions. This seminar will highlight current research on bio-based mulches, seed meals, and sprayable films to manage weeds and increase profitability of vegetable production.
SAM WORTMAN
Assistant Professor, Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska—Lincoln
Nebraska is rich in bioresources, many of which can be used in specialty cropping systems to provide valuable agronomic functions. This seminar will highlight current research on bio-based mulches, seed meals, and sprayable films to manage weeds and increase profitability of vegetable production.
Integrated Weed Management in the Panhandle of Nebraska
NEVIN LAWRENCE
Assistant Professor, Integrated Weed Management Specialist, Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska—Lincoln
The Panhandle of Nebraska can be characterized by its unique soils, climate, and crops, compared to greater Nebraska. With limited herbicide options available to farmers because of soil conditions and crop tolerance restrictions, farmers must leverage targeted crop rotations and cultural practices to attain sustainable weed control. Current research will be discussed.
NEVIN LAWRENCE
Assistant Professor, Integrated Weed Management Specialist, Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska—Lincoln
The Panhandle of Nebraska can be characterized by its unique soils, climate, and crops, compared to greater Nebraska. With limited herbicide options available to farmers because of soil conditions and crop tolerance restrictions, farmers must leverage targeted crop rotations and cultural practices to attain sustainable weed control. Current research will be discussed.
Cover Crops and Soil Ecosystem Services in the Great Plains
SABRINA RUIS
Postdoctoral Research Associate, Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska—Lincoln
Cover crops may provide many soil ecosystem services in Nebraska and other similar regions in the Great Plains. However, the ability of cover crops to deliver ecosystem services may be limited by cover crop management. Ruis will discuss the relationships between cover crop management and cover crop effects on soil ecosystem services.
SABRINA RUIS
Postdoctoral Research Associate, Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska—Lincoln
Cover crops may provide many soil ecosystem services in Nebraska and other similar regions in the Great Plains. However, the ability of cover crops to deliver ecosystem services may be limited by cover crop management. Ruis will discuss the relationships between cover crop management and cover crop effects on soil ecosystem services.
Cover Crop Management and Insect Interactions
JUSTIN MCMECHAN
Assistant Professor, Crop Protection and Cropping Systems Specialist, Eastern Nebraska Research and Extension Center, Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska—Lincoln
Cover crop adoption is largely driven by a number of agronomic factors that vary depending on the producer’s goals. Insects are rarely discussed in cover crop systems unless significant economic losses occur. McMechan will discuss how cover crop management practices might alter beneficial insect activity or risk of insect pests.
JUSTIN MCMECHAN
Assistant Professor, Crop Protection and Cropping Systems Specialist, Eastern Nebraska Research and Extension Center, Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska—Lincoln
Cover crop adoption is largely driven by a number of agronomic factors that vary depending on the producer’s goals. Insects are rarely discussed in cover crop systems unless significant economic losses occur. McMechan will discuss how cover crop management practices might alter beneficial insect activity or risk of insect pests.
Online Teaching: You Can Do It Too!
LEAH SANDALL
Distance Education Coordinator, Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska—Lincoln
MCKINZIE SUTTER
Distance Education Specialist, Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska—Lincoln
GRACE TROUPE
Distance Education Specialist, Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska—Lincoln
Embracing technology to create learning environments and resources for learners has been the focus of the Agronomy and Horticulture Distance Education program for close to 20 years. Sandall will share about the current status of the department’s online program, while Troupe and Sutter discuss some specific online teaching methods which have been successful in their online classrooms.
LEAH SANDALL
Distance Education Coordinator, Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska—Lincoln
MCKINZIE SUTTER
Distance Education Specialist, Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska—Lincoln
GRACE TROUPE
Distance Education Specialist, Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska—Lincoln
Embracing technology to create learning environments and resources for learners has been the focus of the Agronomy and Horticulture Distance Education program for close to 20 years. Sandall will share about the current status of the department’s online program, while Troupe and Sutter discuss some specific online teaching methods which have been successful in their online classrooms.
Developing Hybrid Wheat: Beyond the Theory
SALLY CLAYSHULTE
Bayer Crop Science, Adjunct Associate Professor, Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska—Lincoln
Clayshulte will discuss how the wheat hybrid system can be used as a basis to introduce new traits to increase the value of wheat. Open areas remain in bringing hybrids into the commercial seed market within North America and other regions. BASF purchased Bayer’s Seeds and Traits business in 2018, thus inheriting the hybrid wheat business. The legacy Bayer hybrid wheat strategy was based on observations of opportunities in wheat seeds and traits. Hybrid wheat development is based on genetics, experimental production systems, testing and selection. Different technology platforms can be utilized to identify and deliver value to wheat grains.
SALLY CLAYSHULTE
Bayer Crop Science, Adjunct Associate Professor, Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska—Lincoln
Clayshulte will discuss how the wheat hybrid system can be used as a basis to introduce new traits to increase the value of wheat. Open areas remain in bringing hybrids into the commercial seed market within North America and other regions. BASF purchased Bayer’s Seeds and Traits business in 2018, thus inheriting the hybrid wheat business. The legacy Bayer hybrid wheat strategy was based on observations of opportunities in wheat seeds and traits. Hybrid wheat development is based on genetics, experimental production systems, testing and selection. Different technology platforms can be utilized to identify and deliver value to wheat grains.
How is Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics taught in North American Universities?
MARILYNE STAINS
Assistant Professor, Chemistry, University of Nebraska—Lincoln
Despite extensive resources aimed at improving undergraduate STEM education over the past decades, the uptake of research-based instructional practices is unclear. Stains will describe the results of the largest observation-based study to date, which provide a snapshot of the instructional landscape of STEM undergraduate courses in North America.
MARILYNE STAINS
Assistant Professor, Chemistry, University of Nebraska—Lincoln
Despite extensive resources aimed at improving undergraduate STEM education over the past decades, the uptake of research-based instructional practices is unclear. Stains will describe the results of the largest observation-based study to date, which provide a snapshot of the instructional landscape of STEM undergraduate courses in North America.
From Transcripts to the Tri-State: Exploiting Plant Density Tolerance to Improve an American Delicacy
MARTY WILLIAMS
Ecologist, USDA-ARS, Adjunct Professor, University of Illinois
Over the last century, the United States has led the development and production of sweet corn globally. Despite improvements in eating quality, yields have stagnated in recent decades. Williams will present research, from the level of the gene to the upper Midwest, which the industry is now exploiting to improve sweet corn production.
MARTY WILLIAMS
Ecologist, USDA-ARS, Adjunct Professor, University of Illinois
Over the last century, the United States has led the development and production of sweet corn globally. Despite improvements in eating quality, yields have stagnated in recent decades. Williams will present research, from the level of the gene to the upper Midwest, which the industry is now exploiting to improve sweet corn production.