Before you know it, September will be here; for many in agriculture, that means learning about new technologies and services at Husker Harvest Days near Grand Island, NE! As a youth, our FFA Chapter had the opportunity to attend, which was a huge eye-opening experience to the careers available in the agricultural industry. Now, as an extension educator for Nebraska Extension I try and assist by working at the IANR building. It still is an eye-opening experience to learn or experience emerging technologies, etc. This year’s Husker Harvest Days is Sept. 15-17.
“Successfully weathering extremes” is the theme for Nebraska Extension exhibits dealing largely with planning for potential weather extremes from climate change on the farm and ranch, as well as climate change-induced challenges and opportunities in our everyday lives. Ronnie Green, NU Vice President, IANR Harlan Vice Chancellor and Interim Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at UNL points out, “This is such an important topic on so many levels that we will examine it from many angles over both this and next year’s Husker Harvest Days shows. It’s part of our focus on critical and groundbreaking research and initiatives that are important not only to all Nebraskans, but nationally and globally, as we enhance our reputation as a leader in critically important research.”
UNL’s Husker Red steel building at Lot 321 will allow participants to receive the latest information on the challenges and opportunities facing the economics of agriculture, including variability and extremes in planning successful agricultural operations. They will view individual exhibits focused on: The Nebraska Climate Report’s take home messages; forage alternatives for improving the resiliency of Nebraska beef systems; planning for climate resilient irrigation systems; designing climate resilient confined livestock systems; perennial forages for biofuels production; use of cover crops to improve resilience to higher intensity precipitation; the role seasonal forecasts will play in future agricultural decisions; and the role of corn yield projections based upon climate/weather in agricultural decisions.
UNL’s adjacent open lots, east of Husker Red building, will feature living exhibits of demonstration cover crops, plantings of switch grass for ethanol production and other uses, technologies for conserving water use in irrigation, and shade systems for reducing heat stress in feedlots. Also inside the Husker Red building, IANR staff will be available to answer questions on a variety of extension and research-related topics, provide copies of helpful NebGuides, and direct those needing further help to extension experts in their local area.
IANR has been part of Husker Harvest Days for nearly 40 years, since the very first show in 1978. “We enjoy the opportunity to bring the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to Husker Harvest Days and seeing all the people that stop in to see us each year,” Green said. “We always appreciate the opportunity to visit with stakeholders about what they see as Nebraska’s main challenges and opportunities. We are your land-grant university,” he said.
Source: Steven W. Ress, communications coordinator, Nebraska Water Center, Robert B. Daugherty Water for Food Institute, (402) 472-3305, sress@nebraska.edu
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