More than 155 growers, crop consultants, industry professionals and university staff gathered at the 2025 Nebraska Extension Weed Management Field Day, held June 25 at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s South Central Agricultural Laboratory near Clay Center. The annual event featured cutting-edge weed science research conducted by the university’s Jhala Lab in corn and soybean production systems.
Amit Jhala, professor and extension weed management specialist at Nebraska, led the field day in collaboration with Jenny Brhel, extension educator; graduate students Vipin Kumar, Ankit Yadav, Sai Suvidh Maddela, Amlan Balabantaray; and research technologist Alex Chmielewski. Attendees engaged in hands-on demonstrations and discussions highlighting the latest strategies for integrated weed management.
“This field day offers an excellent opportunity for producers and ag professionals to see weed science in action,” Jhala said. “We’re focused on delivering practical, data-driven solutions for managing herbicide-resistant weeds using an integrated approach in Nebraska corn-soybean cropping systems.”
Research Highlights
The field demonstrations included both chemical and non-chemical approaches for improving weed control and crop safety:
- Kumar and Brhel presented research on the effects of “planting green” and pre-emergence herbicides for Palmer amaranth control in corn, as well as inter-seeding oats and barley in soybean for early-season weed suppression.
- Chmielewski demonstrated integrated strategies for managing volunteer corn in Enlist corn.
- Yadav shared results from a study comparing the residual control provided by Maverick and other herbicides in corn.
- Suvidh Maddela demonstrated a project to integrate hairy vetch cover crop for Palmer amaranth suppression and nitrogen management in sorghum.
- Balabantaray, a doctoral student of Santosh Pitla, professor in Biological Systems Engineering, shared See & Till precision machine for Palmer amaranth detection and control.
- Jhala discussed several key trials, including:
- Early soybean planting in narrow rows for weed suppression.
- Evaluation of herbicide programs with multiple modes of action to combat resistant weed populations in corn and soybean.
- Target weed management with precision sprayer for chemical savings.
Community Engagement and Support
The event was made possible through the efforts of the SCAL staff, summer student workers, and volunteers. Special thanks go to Rachana and Aarya Jhala for assisting with registration, and to Lana Johnson and Connie Hansen for their work on the brochure, on-line registration and outreach efforts.
The Nebraska Extension Weed Management Field Day continues to serve as a critical venue for connecting research to the field, fostering collaboration among scientists, industry partners and producers to support integrated weed management solutions.
