Archive videos of seminars are at https://mediahub.unl.edu/. Search for the title of the seminar you wish to view.
January 26, 2018
Exploring soil, root and rhizosphere microbiomes in Nebraska
DANIEL SCHACHTMAN
Professor, Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Changes in the root, soil and rhizosphere microbiomes due to abiotic stress and crop varieties may play important roles in drought tolerance and nitrogen use efficiency. In this talk the results of experiments completed in different parts of Nebraska with sorghum and corn will be described.
February 2, 2018
If trees could talk: The science of reading tree rings
ERIC NORTH
Assistant Professor of Practice, Natural Resources, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Trees witness and record environmental events from climate to chemical damage to human activity. Tree rings give clues to events and how those events influence annual growth. Explore the practical use of tree rings in urban environments and consulting arboriculture.
February 9, 2018
Conservation of pollinators in turfgrass ecosystems
JONATHAN LARSON
Assistant Extension Educator, Entomology, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Turfgrass is an important cropping system covering more than 16 million hectares in the United States. Insecticides used by managers to maintain turf have been implicated in the decline of managed and wild pollinators. This seminar will discuss best management practices so we maintain functional and aesthetically acceptable landscapes but minimize hazard to our pollinator.
February 16, 2018
Soil organic matter as a proxy for soil health: Indicators and standards
MICHELLE WANDER
Professor, Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
This seminar will consider whether we have the data, knowledge and ability to use soil organic matter as an index of soil health and review the status of key indicators, inventories and assessment frameworks being used to relate management practices to changes in soil organic matter and associated soil function.
October 19, 2018
Agriculture in 2030: Chuck Rice perspective
CHUCK RICE
University Distinguished Professor, Mary L. Vanier University Professorship, Agronomy, Kansas State University
Agriculture is set for a transformational change. Breakthroughs in sensors, root dynamics and the plant-soil microbiome will increase efficiency and resiliency. Cropping system designs will include efficiency and resiliency goals for the field and the landscape. Data and artificial intelligence will increase support for decision-making. The big question is who will fund these advancements and are land-grant universities set to lead?
March 2, 2018
PPO herbicide resistance in weedy Amaranth species
LOWELL SANDELL
Field Market Development, Valent USA
PPO herbicide resistance in weedy Amaranth species is a less publicized, yet important topic in soybean weed control. PPO herbicides are a foundational mode of action for residual weed control in soybeans, and widely used in postemergence tank mixtures. This presentation provides an update on the status of PPO resistance in the Midwest and research on resistant Amaranth populations.
March 16, 2018
Plant research at UNK: 26 years of collaboration, reinvention, and transcription factors
PAUL TWIGG
Professor, Biology, University of Nebraska at Kearney
A scientific journey adapting to changes in facilities, technology, funding, new organisms, and other challenges, but always ending up with good collaborators, students, and lots of transcription factors.
March 30, 2018
Leveraging plant diversity to manage soil water, carbon, and nitrogen in agricultural systems
MEAGAN SCHIPANSKI
Assistant Professor, Soil and Crop Sciences, Colorado State University
Crop and non-crop plants provide carbon inputs that can fuel belowground communities, mediate soil processes, and influence resource-use efficiency. Using examples from rhizosphere, on-farm, and landscape scale research, Schipanski will discuss potential benefits and limitations of leveraging crop and cover crop diversity to improve agricultural sustainability.
April 6, 2018
Integrating writing skills and science literacy into the CASNR curriculum
BRIAN WATERS
Associate Professor, Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Brian Waters will discuss examples of using writing-to-learn in Agronomy and Horticulture classes to build student communication skills while also covering discipline-specific knowledge and improving science literacy. He will also discuss how students and faculty can use the Scientific Writing Help Desk.
April 13, 2018
Wanted: Systems professionals to meet agriculture’s future needs
GARY HEIN
Director, Doctor of Plant Health Program, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
A myriad of issues challenge the economic and environmental sustainability of plant production systems. The Doctor of Plant Health program provides a comprehensive education across disciplines to enable effective systems management and implementation of technology advances. These plant doctors provide knowledge intensive leadership required for future sustainable plant production systems.
April 20, 2018
Conserving, managing and restoring grassland diversity in Lincoln’s New Prairie Corridor on Haines Branch
DAVID WEDIN
Director, Nine-Mile Prairie & Agroforestry Research Farm, Professor, Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Since 2016, University of Nebraska-Lincoln faculty and students have been assessing plant and pollinator diversity in grasslands totaling thousands of acres in the Prairie Corridor project. In this seminar the results from experiments on how diversity responds to management approaches will be presented.
September 7, 2018
Exploring Positive Psychological Capacity in Teamwork
L.J. MCELRAVY
Assistant Professor, Youth Civic Leadership, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Positive Psychological Capacity (PsyCap) is a developmental characteristic that related to a number of positive outcomes in the workplace. McElravy will explore how PsyCap can be used to enhance teamwork, specifically in the work environment and in the classroom.
September 14, 2018
Automation and Robotics in Agriculture
SANTOSH PITLA
Assistant Professor, Advanced Machinery Systems, Biological Systems Engineering, IANR College of Engineering, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
This presentation will discuss the evolution of agricultural machinery from simple mechanical machines to autonomous driverless robotic machines and advances in automated machine performance data collection. Pitla will also talk about trends in field automation and the aspects of equipment size as related to field productivity, field efficiency, and technical obsolescence.
September 28, 2018
Hopping to it: The Growth and Viability of the Nebraska Hop Industry
KATIE KREUSER
Hop Program Coordinator, Nebraska Extension
The hop industry in Nebraska has experienced much growth in recent years. Kreuser will discuss the factors that enable the plant to thrive, the challenges faced in hop production and the exciting possibilities the industry has ahead.
October 5, 2018
Cover Crops in Nebraska – Expectations and Realizations
KATJA KOEHLER-COLE
Postdoctoral Research Associate, Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Cover crops have the potential to improve soil health and provide grazing for Nebraska farmers looing to reduce erosion and soil nitrate loss. However, the predominant corn-soybean rotation limits the selection and productivity of cover crops. Koehler-Cole will present findings from four years of research in no-till corn and soybean systems in Nebraska with implications for both cover crop and main crop management.
October 19, 2018
Leveraging Genomics, Genetics and Breeding to Understand Crop Adaption to Nutrient Stress
JAMIE O'ROURKE
Research Geneticist, Corn Insect and Crop Genetics Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Iowa State University
Plants require 20 micronutrients for proper growth and development, but environmental conditions often limit soil nutrient availability resulting in stunted growth and reduced yield. O'Rourke will discuss how she combines functional genomics, physiology and plant breeding to identify biological pathways and gene networks associated with nutrient deficiency responses and enhanced stress tolerance.
October 26, 2018
Pulse Crops Productions and Industry Development in Nebraska
STRAHINJA STEPANOVIC
Nebraska Extension Educator, West Central Research and Extension Center, North Platte
ALEXANDRE TONON ROSA
Doctoral Student and Graduate Research Assistant, Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Strahinja and Tonon Rosa will discuss pulses (field peas, chickpeas, and lentils), their adoption into Nebraska’s diversified cropping systems and consequent growth of Nebraska pulse crops industry. They will share details on how the industry has changed and answer any questions on growing and marketing pulses across different regions of the state.
November 2, 2018
How to Optimize Student Engagement with Active Learning and Formative Assessments
BRIAN COUCH
Assistant Professor, School of Biological Science, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
In recent years, the undergraduate education community has placed an increased focus on implementing formative assessment activities in which students actively engage with course material and receive iterative feedback to improve their understandings. This presentation will summarize research findings and recommendations on how to optimize student engagement with formative assessments.
November 9, 2018
Synthetic Design of Plant Oil Metabolism
HAE JIN KIM
Senior Research Associate, Center for Plant Science Innovation, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
To rapidly improve crop quality and productivity, new techniques and tools are required to integrate primary and secondary metabolism. Kim will discuss how synthetic biology can introduce many genes for diverse traits into the plant genome with a single genetic transformation. She will talk about how improvement of crops can be achieved with lower cost in a shorter period of time than traditional biotechnology or breeding.
November 16, 2018
Soil in Space and Time
RICHARD FERGUSON
Professor and Interim Department Head of Agronomy & Horticulture, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Ferguson will discuss how soils vary in space and across time, how we manage accordingly and how that variation influences development of cropping systems and careers.
November 30, 2018
The Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture (RICA) Curriculum Update
JOSEPH DAUER
Assistant Professor of Life Science Education, School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
For the past year, a committee of faculty have been working to develop a curriculum for the new Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture (RICA). Dauer will provide an update on progress towards integrating conservation agriculture, one health, communication and entrepreneurship in an experiential education setting.
December 7, 2018
Nitrogen Fertigation in Corn
BRIAN KRIENKE
Assistant Extension Educator, Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
The elevated levels of nitrate in groundwater in Nebraska are considered a direct result of Nitrogen management in corn production. Decades of research have attempted to develop methods that increase the use efficiency of applied N, while also optimizing profit for growers. A new approach to N management will be discussed that utilizes a combination of crop canopy sensors with and without the use of a crop model to aid in decision making. Results are promising.