Competitions

The UNL-TAPS farm management competitions provide participants with the opportunity to test their management skills in real-world scenarios, using advanced technologies and innovative strategies to achieve top performance in profitability, input-use efficiency, and yield.

The 2025 UNL-TAPS Competition lineup includes Sprinkler Corn, Continuous Corn, and Soybeans. Each competition is designed to challenge and inspire, offering valuable insights and data to help participants refine their practices and stay ahead in the ever-evolving field of agriculture.

TAPS “levels the playing field” by applying each competitor’s decisions to three randomly selected plots within the same field at a research farm. University staff handle all the field work, ensuring consistency, while collecting and sharing field data with all competing teams.

Competition Details

Sprinkler Corn

The 9th UNL-TAPS Sprinkler Corn Competition is being held at the West Central Research, Extension & Education Center in North Platte, Nebraska.

In 2025, 38 teams are competing, each managing three replicated plots within the field. Participants must make eight key agronomic and economic management decisions throughout the season.

Teams are competing for awards in three categories: Most Profitable, Highest Input-Use Efficiency, and Greatest Yield.

Continuous Corn

The UNL-TAPS Continuous Corn Competition is held at the West Central Research, Extension & Education Center in North Platte, Nebraska.

The primary focus of this competition is on optimizing nitrogen management. Participants will also receive additional data, including nitrate leaching below the root zone and residual soil nitrogen levels at the end of the growing season.

In 2025, 13 teams are competing, each managing three replicated plots in the field. Participants are required to make five key agronomic and economic management decisions.

Teams will compete for awards in three categories: Highest Input-Use Efficiency, Most Profitable, and Greatest Yield.

Soybeans

The UNL-TAPS Soybean Competition is taking place at the Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension & Education Center near Mead, Nebraska.

In 2025, 18 teams are competing, each managing four replicated plots within the field. Participants are responsible for making seven key agronomic and economic management decisions.

In this competition, teams will compete for three awards: Most Economically Profitable, Lowest Cost of Production, and Greatest Grain Yield.