Competitions

2025 Sprinkler Irrigated Continuous Corn 

Farm Management Competition-WCREEC 

The 2^nd  UNL-TAPS Sprinkler Irrigated Continuous Corn Farm Management Competition will be established and conducted in 2025 at the West Central Research, Extension and Education Center (WCREEC) in North Platte, NE. The competition has three awards: 1) most profitable; 2) highest input use efficiency; and 3) greatest grain yield. The winner of each category will receive a cash award. The farm management competition will host approximately 10 teams made up of individuals and groups. Each team will be assigned a “farm” comprised of four randomized plots within the same field, totaling approximately one-half of an acre. The field will be in its 5^th year of continuous corn in 2025. TAPS personnel will manage each farm (i.e., plots) based on participants’ decisions. The yields and costs from each farm will be scaled to represent 3,000 acres of production, as this provides an opportunity to market an amount of grain that is more representative of a modern size farm. Participants will make a series of six farm management decisions throughout the contest period, that include crop insurance selection, hybrid selection, population density, irrigation management, nitrogen management, and grain marketing. The production management decisions made by each team will be imposed on the individual team’s assigned plots under the variable rate center pivot irrigation system at WCREEC. All other management categories will be controlled by the TAPS team, e.g.  planting date, residue/soil management, etc. These decisions will be based on best management practices and be identical across all farms. Participants are welcome and encouraged to observe, monitor, install their own equipment, and/or collect additional data from their plots throughout the growing season, but will be at their own expense and risk. Changing, modifying, adding, and/or altering any of the management protocols is not permitted and will result in disqualification and expulsion from the contest. This includes the use of additional inputs of any kind, such as fertilizers, biological, herbicides, additives, etc. For safety and logistical concerns, contestants should notify TAPS personnel (i.e., Chris, Chuck, or Turner) prior to entering the field. 

Each individual/team will receive an email inviting them to access the team specific website (www.tapsnetwork.org). TAPS personnel will regularly take photos and collect data for each farm, which will also be found on the individual team website. Each farm’s decisions and farm specific information will be kept confidential until the season’s end, and only available to authorized team members and TAPS personnel. Information and data that is general in nature, including plot photos, weather, crop status (e.g., growth stage advancement), and data collected by various technologies, water sensors, aerial photographs, etc., will be posted to the website, as it is collected. Supporting information, such as leaf area index, plant height, and plant nitrogen uptake will be made available to the participants as available or at the end of the growing season.  In-season field tours/meetings will occur at WCREEC, dates and details will be shared prior to each event. These meetings will primarily be for updates, as well as a time for participants and program supporters to interact. The final formal gathering is the annual awards banquet, which is a celebration of the year’s competitions and all those who participated and supported the program. Each competitor will have an opportunity to use innovative technology, test new methods, observe different approaches to solving similar issues, socialize, and discuss the problems, successes, and challenges of the farming business.   

2025 Sprinkler Irrigated Corn Farm Management Competition-WCREEC 

The 8th Annual UNL-TAPS Sprinkler Irrigated Corn Farm Management Competition will be conducted in 2025 at the West Central Research, Extension and Education Center (WCREEC) in North Platte, NE. The competition has three awards: 1) most profitable; 2) highest input use efficiency; and 3) greatest grain yield. The winner of each category will receive a cash award. The farm management competition will host approximately 28 teams made up of individuals and groups. Each team will be assigned a “farm” comprised of four randomized plots within the same field, totaling approximately one-half of an acre. TAPS personnel will manage each farm (i.e., plots) based on participants’ management decisions. The yields and costs from each farm will be scaled to represent 3,000 acres of production, as this provides an opportunity to market an amount of grain that is more representative of a modern size farm. Participants will make a series of eight farm management decisions throughout the contest period, that include crop insurance selection, cover crop termination, hybrid type, seeding rate, irrigation management, nitrogen management, insecticide application, and grain marketing. The production management decisions made by each team will be imposed on the individual team’s assigned plots under the variable rate center pivot irrigation system at WCREEC. All other management categories will be controlled by the TAPS team, e.g.  planting date, residue/soil management, etc. These decisions will be based on best management practices and be identical across all farms. Participants are welcome and encouraged to observe, monitor, install their own equipment, and/or collect additional data from their plots throughout the growing season, but will be at their own expense and risk. Changing, modifying, adding, and/or altering any of the management protocols is not permitted and will result in disqualification and expulsion from the contest. This includes the use of additional inputs of any kind, such as fertilizers, biological, herbicides, additives, etc. For safety and logistical concerns, contestants should notify TAPS personnel (i.e., Chris, Chuck, or Turner) prior to entering the field. 

Each individual/team will receive an email inviting them to access the team specific website (www.tapsnetwork.org). TAPS personnel will regularly take photos and collect data for each farm, which will also be found on the individual team website. Each farm’s decisions and farm specific information will be kept until the season’s end, and only available to authorized team members and TAPS personnel. Information and data that is general in nature, including plot photos, weather, crop status (e.g., growth stage advancement), and data collected by various technologies, water sensors, aerial photographs, etc., will be posted to the website, as it is collected. Supporting information, such as leaf area index, plant height, and plant nitrogen uptake may be made available to the participants as available or at the end of the growing season.  In-season field tours/meetings will occur at WCREEC, dates and details will be shared prior to each event. These meetings will primarily be for updates, as well as a time for participants and program supporters to interact. The final formal gathering is the annual awards banquet, which is a celebration of the year’s competitions and all those who participated and supported the program. Each competitor will have an opportunity to use innovative technology, test new methods, observe different approaches to solving similar issues, socialize, and discuss the problems, successes, and challenges of the farming business.   

2025 Sprinkler Irrigated Corn Farm Management Competition-ENREEC 

The 1^st Annual UNL-TAPS Sprinkler Irrigated Corn Farm Management Competition will be conducted in 2025 at the Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension and Education Center (ENREEC) near Mead, NE. The competition has three awards: 1) most profitable; 2) highest input use efficiency; and 3) greatest grain yield. The winner of each category will receive a cash award. The farm management competition will host approximately 30 teams made up of individuals and groups. Each team will be assigned a “farm” comprised of four randomized plots within the same field, totaling approximately one-half of an acre. TAPS personnel will manage each farm (i.e., plots) based on participants’ management decisions. The yields and costs from each farm will be scaled to represent 1,500 acres of production, as this provides an opportunity to market an amount of grain that is more representative of a modern size farm. Participants will make a series of seven farm management decisions throughout the contest period, that include crop insurance selection,  hybrid type, seeding rate, irrigation management, nitrogen management, fungicide application, and grain marketing. The production management decisions made by each team will be imposed on the individual team’s assigned plots under the variable rate center pivot irrigation system at ENREEC. All other management categories will be controlled by the TAPS team, e.g.  planting date, residue/soil management, etc. These decisions will be based on best management practices and be identical across all farms. Participants are welcome and encouraged to observe, monitor, install their own equipment, and/or collect additional data from their plots throughout the growing season, but will be at their own expense and risk. Changing, modifying, adding, and/or altering any of the management protocols is not permitted and will result in disqualification and expulsion from the contest. This includes the use of additional inputs of any kind, such as fertilizers, biological, herbicides, additives, etc. For safety and logistical concerns, contestants should notify TAPS personnel (i.e., Chris, Chuck, Aaron or Vini) prior to entering the field. 

Each individual/team will receive an email inviting them to access the team specific website (www.tapsnetwork.org). TAPS personnel will regularly take photos and collect data for each farm, which will also be found on the individual team website. Each farm’s decisions and farm specific information will be kept until the season’s end, and only available to authorized team members and TAPS personnel. Information and data that is general in nature, including plot photos, weather, crop status (e.g., growth stage advancement), and data collected by various technologies, water sensors, aerial photographs, etc., will be posted to the website, as it is collected. Supporting information, such as leaf area index, plant height, and plant nitrogen uptake may be made available to the participants as available or at the end of the growing season.  In-season field tours/meetings will occur at ENREEC, dates and details will be shared prior to each event. These meetings will primarily be for updates, as well as a time for participants and program supporters to interact. The final formal gathering is the annual awards banquet, which is a celebration of the year’s competitions and all those who participated and supported the program. Each competitor will have an opportunity to use innovative technology, test new methods, observe different approaches to solving similar issues, socialize, and discuss the problems, successes, and challenges of the farming business.   

2025 Tidal Grow Sponsored Sprinkler Irrigated Corn Farm Management Competition-ENREEC 

The UNL-TAPS Sprinkler Irrigated Corn Farm Management Competition sponsored by Tidal Grow will be conducted in 2025 at the Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension and Education Center (ENREEC) near Mead, NE. The competition has three awards: 1) Lowest Cost of Production; 2) highest input use efficiency; and 3) greatest grain yield and/or Carbon Intensity. The winner of each category will receive a cash award. The farm management competition will host approximately 10 teams made up of individuals and groups. Each team will be assigned a “farm” comprised of four randomized plots within the same field, totaling approximately one-half of an acre. TAPS personnel will manage each farm (i.e., plots) based on participants’ management decisions. The yields and costs from each farm will be scaled to represent 1,500 acres of production. Participants will make a series of seven farm management decisions throughout the contest period, that include crop insurance selection, hybrid type, seeding rate, irrigation management, biological nitrogen management. The production management decisions made by each team will be imposed on the individual team’s assigned plots under the variable rate center pivot irrigation system at ENREEC. All other management categories will be controlled by the TAPS team, e.g.  planting date, residue/soil management, pest management, etc. These decisions will be based on best management practices and be identical across all farms. Participants are welcome and encouraged to observe, monitor, install their own equipment, and/or collect additional data from their plots throughout the growing season, but will be at their own expense and risk. Changing, modifying, adding, and/or altering any of the management protocols is not permitted and will result in disqualification and expulsion from the contest. This includes the use of additional inputs of any kind, such as fertilizers, biological, herbicides, additives, etc. For safety and logistical concerns, contestants should notify TAPS personnel (i.e., Chris, Chuck, Aaron or Vini) prior to entering the field. 

Each individual/team will receive an email inviting them to access the team specific website (www.tapsnetwork.org). TAPS personnel will regularly take photos and collect data for each farm, which will also be found on the individual team website. Each farm’s decisions and farm specific information will be kept until the season’s end, and only available to authorized team members and TAPS personnel. Information and data that is general in nature, including plot photos, weather, crop status (e.g., growth stage advancement), and data collected by various technologies, water sensors, aerial photographs, etc., will be posted to the website, as it is collected. Supporting information, such as leaf area index, plant height, and plant nitrogen uptake may be made available to the participants as available or at the end of the growing season.  In-season field tours/meetings will occur at ENREEC, dates and details will be shared prior to each event. These meetings will primarily be for updates, as well as a time for participants and program supporters to interact. The final formal gathering is the annual awards banquet, which is a celebration of the year’s competitions and all those who participated and supported the program. Each competitor will have an opportunity to use innovative technology, test new methods, observe different approaches to solving similar issues, socialize, and discuss the problems, successes, and challenges of the farming business.   

2025 Sprinkler Irrigated Food Grade Corn Farm Management Competition-Gothenburg 

The 1^st annual UNL-TAPS Irrigated Food Grade Corn Farm Management Competition will be established and conducted in 2025 at the Bayer Water Utilization Learning Center near Gothenburg, NE. The Competition is also sponsored by Frito-Lay/Pepsico. The competition has three awards: 1) most profitable; 2) highest input use efficiency; and 3) greatest grain yield. The winner of each category will receive a cash award. The farm management competition will host approximately 10 teams made up of individuals and groups. Each team will be assigned a “farm” comprised of two randomized plots within the same field, totaling approximately one-half of an acre. The field was previous in soybeans and will be strip-tilled. Learning Center personnel will manage each farm (i.e., plots) based on participants’ decisions. The yields and costs from each farm will be scaled to represent 1,500 acres of production, as this provides an opportunity to market an amount of grain that is more representative of a modern sized farm. Participants will make a series of eight farm management decisions throughout the contest period, that include crop insurance selection, hybrid selection, population density, irrigation management, nitrogen management, insect and fungus management and grain marketing. The production management decisions made by each team will be imposed on the individual team’s assigned plots under sub-surface drip irrigation system at the Learning Center. All other management categories will be controlled by the TAPS and Learning Center team, e.g.  planting date, residue/soil management, etc. These decisions will be based on best management practices and be identical across all farms. Participants are welcome and encouraged to observe, monitor, install their own equipment, and/or collect additional data from their plots throughout the growing season, but will be at their own expense and risk. Changing, modifying, adding, and/or altering any of the management protocols is not permitted and will result in disqualification and expulsion from the contest. This includes the use of additional inputs of any kind, such as fertilizers, biological, herbicides, additives, etc. For safety and logistical concerns, please check in at the Learning Center and the staff will show you to the field. 

Each individual/team will receive an email inviting them to access the team specific website (www.tapsnetwork.org). TAPS personnel will regularly take photos and collect data for each farm, which will also be found on the individual team website. Each farm’s decisions and farm specific information will be kept confidential until the season’s end, and only available to authorized team members and TAPS personnel. Information and data that is general in nature, including plot photos, weather, crop status (e.g., growth stage advancement), and data collected by various technologies, water sensors, aerial photographs, etc., will be posted to the website, as it is collected. Supporting information, such as leaf area index, plant height, and plant nitrogen uptake will be made available to the participants as available or at the end of the growing season.  In-season field tours/meetings will occur at the Learning Center, dates and details will be shared prior to each event. These meetings will primarily be for updates, as well as a time for participants and program supporters to interact. The final formal gathering is the annual awards banquet, which is a celebration of the year’s competitions and all those who participated and supported the program. Each competitor will have an opportunity to use innovative technology, test new methods, observe different approaches to solving similar issues, socialize, and discuss the problems, successes, and challenges of the farming business.   

2025 Irrigated Soybean Farm Management Competition-ENREEC 

The 2^nd UNL-TAPS Sprinkler Irrigated Soybean Farm Management Competition will be conducted in 2025 at the Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension and Education Center (ENREEC) near Mead, NE. The competition has three awards: 1) most profitable; 2) highest input use efficiency; and 3) greatest grain yield. The winner of each category will receive a cash award. The farm management competition will host approximately 30 teams made up of individuals and groups. Each team will be assigned a “farm” comprised of four randomized plots within the same field, totaling approximately one-half of an acre. TAPS personnel will manage each farm (i.e., plots) based on participants’ management decisions. The yields and costs from each farm will be scaled to represent 1,500 acres of production, as this provides opportunity to market an amount of grain that is more representative of a modern size farm. Participants will make a series of seven farm management decisions throughout the contest period, that include crop insurance selection, variety type/seed treatment, seeding rate, fungicide/insecticide/micronutrient, irrigation management, fertigation and grain marketing. The production management decisions made by each team will be imposed on the individual team’s assigned plots under the center pivot irrigation system at ENREEC. All other management categories will be controlled by the TAPS team, e.g. planting date, residue/soil management, etc. These decisions will be based on best management practices and be identical across all farms. Participants are welcome and encouraged to observe, monitor, install their own equipment, and/or collect additional data from their plots throughout the growing season, but will be at their own expense and risk. Changing, modifying, adding, and/or altering any of the management protocols is not permitted and will result in disqualification and expulsion from the contest. This includes the use of additional inputs of any kind, such as fertilizers, biological, herbicides, additives, etc. For safety and logistical concerns, contestants should notify TAPS personnel (i.e.,  Chris, Chuck, Aaron, or Vinicius) prior to entering the field. 

Each individual/team will receive an email inviting them to access the team specific website (www.tapsnetwork.org). TAPS personnel will regularly take photos and collect data for each farm, which will also be found on the individual team website. Each farm’s decisions and farm specific information will be kept confidential until the season’s end, and only available to authorized team members and TAPS personnel. Information and data that is general in nature, including plot photos, weather, crop status (e.g., growth stage advancement), and data collected by various technologies, water sensors, aerial photographs, etc., will be posted to the website, as it is collected. Supporting information, such as plant height, tissue samples may be made available to the participants as available or at the end of the growing season.  In-season field tours/meetings will occur at ENREEC, dates and details will be shared prior to each event. These meetings will primarily be for updates, as well as a time for participants and program supporters to interact. The final formal gathering is the annual awards banquet, which is a celebration of the year’s competitions and all those who participated and supported the program. Each competitor will have an opportunity to use innovative technology, test new methods, observe different approaches to solving similar issues, socialize, and discuss the problems, successes, and challenges of the farming business.