Student Poster Display
Plant-Insect Ecosystems
Student
Student Competition
Otavio Xavier
University of Nebraska
North Platte, Nebraska
Julie Ann Peterson
Professor
University of Nebraska
North Platte, Nebraska
Chuck Burr
University of Nebraska
North Platte, Nebraska
Milos Zaric
University of Nebraska
North Platte, Nebraska
Christopher Proctor
University of Nebraska
Lincoln, Nebraska
Today, agriculture contends with pressing challenges, notably the constraints on vital resources, including water, nitrogen, and pesticides. To address these challenges and promote adopting new farming practices and technologies. At the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the Testing Ag Performance Solutions (UNL-TAPS) program stands out as an innovative extension initiative. Departing from the traditional teacher-student model, this program features a series of interactive, real-life farm management competitions. In 2024, the sprinkler irrigated corn competition will have 39 teams with plots located in North Platte, Nebraska. Participants will be able to make choices that impact insect pest management at two points during the competition: 1) during hybrid selection, based on the Bt trait package for that hybrid, and 2) whether to apply a foliar spray of insecticide for western bean cutworm, Striacosta albicosta (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Scouting data will be provided to competitors, and they will be given a choice of no insecticide application ($0/ac), Vantacor at 1.2 fl oz/ac ($22.69/ac), Elevest at 4.8 fl oz/ac ($16.88/ac), or Brigade at 5 fl oz/ac ($7.43/ac). Products will be applied with a high clearance sprayer at approximately 95% tasseling, costing $9 per acre. Data will be collected up to 28 days after insecticide applications to measure the survival of western bean cutworm larvae and the ear-feeding intensity of the crop. UNL-TAPS has engaged 420 individuals from seven states and one overseas country over the past seven years, demonstrating the potential to influence pest management decision-making among agricultural professionals.