It may not be the typical summer Olympic games, but for Husker Harvest Days attendees, it is a competition that will test their crop production management skills. The Testing Ag Performance Solutions (TAPS) program will be hosting the Crops Skills Challenge, in cooperation with the UNL Water & Integrated Cropping Systems specialists and educators, for the second year.
The interactive event will pit participants against each other, not just in physical farm skills, but more in skills between the ears in crop production. This year participants will be challenged on pest (weed, disease &/or insect) identification, grain moisture & yield estimation, problematic plot imagery identification and water use efficiency. Participants will also have the chance to try their hand at setting siphon tubes.
Students in attendance will be able to participate in teams of 4, with each student taking a different portion of the challenge.
Participants will be able to check their scores and see how they stacked up against competitors throughout the day and winners will be announced at the end of the show each day. At the conclusion of Husker Harvest Days, a video series will be released through social media outlets with insight and answers to the challenge events.
Those that accept the challenge aren’t just competing for bragging rights over their fellow competitors. There is prize money at stake, including $250 Visa gift card for first place; $150 gift card for second; and $100 for third during each day, in both a student and non-student division. Each entrant will also walk away with a commemorative t-shirt for participating in the challenge.
The event is free and open to anyone in attendance at Husker Harvest Days held in Wood River, NE on September 12-14. People interested in participating can find the Crop Skills Challenge at Lot #942, between 8th & 9th Street.