Research at Haskell

The Haskell Ag Lab is the site for several soils, pathology, and entomology research plots. Haskell also is the location for the Great Plains Heifer Development Center, which currently has over 150 head of cattle commissioned from producers. Below are some of the research projects and the leads’ contact information. If researchers, graduate students, etc. are interested in conducting research at the Haskell Ag Lab, contact Logan Dana, Haskell Farm Manager, at 402-584-3852.

Entomology
  • Insect Light Trap – Julie Peterson, julie.peterson@unl.edu, 308-696-6704
  • Insect Suction Trap – Julie Peterson, julie.peterson@unl.edu, 308-696-6704
    • The suction trap is part of a network coordinated by the USDA (also in part funded by a NCSRP project). This helps signal when to start scouting for small flying insect pests like soybean aphids. 
  • Soybean Gall Midge IMP – Justin McMechan, justin.mcmechan@unl.edu, 402-472-2312
    • The largest research effort is directed at the new soybean pest, the soybean gall midge. This collaboration with Justin McMechan (project lead) and several surrounding state universities are studying soybean gall midge biological, behavioral, and ecological studies with the goal of developing IPM strategies and tools to manage this pest. These studies are funded by the Nebraska Soybean Board, North Central Soybean Research Program, USDA NIFA, North Central IPM Center, and various Industry partners. 
Livestock
  • Great Plains Heifer Development Program – Connor Biehler, cbiehler2@unl.edu, 402-624-8007
    • The program helps consignors enhance their heifer development strategies, offering a blend of services focused on the foundational principles of heifer selection, feeding, management strategies, genetic tools for sire selection, estrous synchronization protocols, post breeding management, and more.
Pathology
Corn
  • Corn Linear Research – Tamra Jackson Ziems, tjackson3@unl.edu, 402-472-2559; Talon Mues, tmues3@unl.edu, 308-324-5501
    • The valley linear irrigation system was modified to allow for LESA and MESA application. This was used to determine how different sprinkler heights would impact the canopy microclimate and disease development, specifically tar spot. 
  • Corn Tar Spot – Tamra Jackson Ziems, tjackson3@unl.edu, 402-472-2559
    • There are plans in place to host a few more fungicide efficacy trials at HAL targeting Tar Spot in 2025.
Soybean
  • Soybean Foliar Disease Research – Dylan Mangel, dylan.mangel@unl.edu, 402-472-2559
    • The Haskell Ag Lab serves as a pivotal environment for our soybean foliar disease research, addressing pathogens like Septoria brown spot and Frogeye leaf spot that significantly affect soybean foliage and yields. The lab’s cooler environment naturally induces a range of foliar diseases, providing a unique opportunity for in-depth study. Leveraging these conditions, we can take advantage of natural disease outbreaks for precise research. Our team engages in extensive fungicide trials, resistance variety screenings, and the refinement of cultural practices aimed at managing foliar diseases. This work is integral to our commitment to equip soybean farmers with effective strategies, advancing their ability to protect crops and maintain healthy yields amid foliar disease pressures.
  • Soybean White Mold Research – Dylan Mangel, dylan.mangel@unl.edu, 402-472-2559
    • White Mold, also known as Sclerotinia stem rot, poses a significant challenge to soybean production in Northeast Nebraska and irrigated regions of Central Nebraska. This disease is notorious for its potential to drastically reduce yields, marking it as a formidable foe for soybean farmers. At the heart of our defense is the Haskell Ag Lab, home to Nebraska's only disease testing nursery dedicated to White Mold. This facility is instrumental in evaluating both commercial and experimental fungicides, alongside novel biological treatments. Moreover, it serves as a critical venue for examining various management practices, including adjustments in row spacing and the implementation of cover crops, to thwart the spread of this escalating threat. The pivotal research conducted here is indispensable for the state, underpinning our ongoing efforts to safeguard soybean yields against White Mold.
Soils
Cover Crops
  • Managing Cover Crops to Enhance Soil Ecosystem Service in Soil Vulnerable to Environmental Pressures – Humberto Blanco, hblanco2@unl.edu, 402-472-1510
    • Enhancing soil ecosystem services of environmentally sensitive soils, such as erodible and sandy soils, is key under increasingly variable climatic conditions. Adding cover crops could be one strategy to accomplish this. This 4-year project assesses impacts of cover crops planting and termination dates on soil ecosystem services including improvement in soil properties, water quality parameters, carbon sequestration, and crop yields using field data, modeling, and economics.
  • Study Integrated use of Cover Crop, Mulch and Nutrient Management for Reducing Nitrate Leaching in Corn (2022 - Present) – Swetabh Patel, Michael Kurtzhals, mkurtzhals2@unl.edu, 402-582-3822; Javed Iqbal, javed.iqbal@unl.edu, 402-472-1432; Adewole Adetunji; Christopher Misar
    • Read more under “Nitrogen”
  • Winter Pea Demo – Logan Dana, ldana3@unl.edu, 402-584-3852; Michael Kurtzhals, mkurtzhals2@unl.edu, 402-584-3822
    • Winter Peas have been proven to be used as a productive cover crop, but this demonstration is using them as green manure. To attempt to maximize this effect, there will be multiple dates of termination: at planting, V2, V4, and V6. Soil samples will be taken to analyze the productivity of the winter peas nitrogen fixation ability. 
Nitrogen
  • The Impacts of 4Rs of Nitrogen Management on Corn Yield, Economic Returns, and Environmental Quality – Anmol Singh; Javed Iqbal, javed.iqbal@unl.edu, 402-472-1432; Christopher Misar; Michael Kurtzhals, mkurtzhals2@unl.edu, 402-583-3822
    • Funding Source: Nebraska Corn Board; The “4Rs” nutrient stewardship (Right source, Right rate, Right time, and Right place) is a promising concept to achieve cropping systems goals such as increased crop production, increased profitability, enhanced environmental protection, and improved sustainability. In this project, we are investigating the potential for achieving higher corn yield and profits while reducing N losses with the Right source (Anhydrous, UAN, ESN, Urea) and Right placement (broadcast, injected) at the Right time (pre-plant, split) of N application.
  • The Effects of Nitrogen Source and Time on In-Season Nitrogen Availability and Corn Yield (2023 – Present) – Michael Kurtzhals, mkurtzhals2@unl.edu, 402-582-3822; Javed Iqbal, javed.iqbal@unl.edu, 402-472-1432; Christopher Misar
    • Nitrogen source and time play an important role in determining the nitrogen use efficiency, crop yield, and nitrogen losses. Fall application of nitrogen is discouraged as it can potentially increase nitrogen losses during spring with heavy rainfall events. However, recent debate has been about whether fall vs. spring sources play a role in determining the effect of fertilizer sources on nitrogen use efficiency and water quality. So, we are conducting this study to evaluate the impact of fall vs. spring N fertilization application on in-season nitrogen stability.
  • The Effects of Pivot Bio’s PROVEN 40 with multiple Nitrogen Rates on Yield (2024 – Present) – Michael Kurtzhals, mkurtzhals2@unl.edu, 402-582-3822; Javed Iqbal, javed.iqbal@unl.edu, 402-472-1432
    • Nitrogen is the most applied fertilizer when planting corn; this has led farmers to try and minimize nitrogen rates while also trying to maximize the yield of the crop. An option that has recently come onto the market is Pivot Bio’s PROVEN 40. PROVEN 40 is an additive that can be applied in furrow or on seed. Containing microbes that convert atmospheric nitrogen into a plant available form, Pivot Bio claims PROVEN 40 can reduce nitrogen rates by 40 pounds while maintaining yield. In this study, we will test PROVEN 40 along side non treated seeds at multiple different N rates. 
  • Study Integrated use of Cover Crop, Mulch and Nutrient Management for Reducing Nitrate Leaching in Corn (2022 - Present) – Swetabh Patel, Michael Kurtzhals, mkurtzhals2@unl.edu, 402-582-3822; Javed Iqbal, javed.iqbal@unl.edu, 402-472-1432; Adewole Adetunji; Christopher Misar
    • Excessive use of inorganic fertilizer may cause leaching of nitrate-nitrogen from the agricultural field and contaminate the groundwater. There is a need to evaluate and motivate the implementation of best management practices (BMPs) that can reduce nitrogen losses to groundwater in Nebraska. The goal of this project is to improve public knowledge and motivate adoption of research-based integrated nutrient and agronomic management practices for crop production that can protect drinking groundwater quality. The overall objective of this ongoing study is to evaluate the effect of integrated use of beef manure, cover crop, and wood chips as a mulch on corn (Zea mays L.) productivity and reduction in nitrate leaching potential.
  • Evaluating Nitrogen Balance and Fertilizer Equivalence of Cover Crop Nitrogen using the University Long-Term Tillage Trial at Haskell Agricultural Laboratory (1986 – Present) – Javed Iqbal, javed.iqbal@unl.edu, 402-472-1432; Michael Kurtzhals, mkurtzhals2@unl.edu, 402-582-3822; Anmol Singh; Adewole Adetunji; Christopher Misar
    • Excessive nitrogen (N) fertilizer application, poor synchrony between fertilizer applications and crop demand, and heavy rainfall events are contributing to the decline in environmental quality and biodiversity. For example, only one-third to half of the N fertilizer input is recovered in the harvested product with the unrecovered N losses causing water contamination, biodiversity loss, and greenhouse gas emissions. We have established cover crop at a long-term no-till site of the UNL research station Haskell Agricultural Laboratory-Concord NE. The experiment is a split-split-split plot design with four treatments, including tillage (main plots), crop rotation (sub-plots), N rates (sub-sub plots), and cover crop (sub-sub-sub plots). To evaluate the impact of cover crop on EONR, all sites have five N rates in each tillage and crop rotation treatment.
  • Swine Manure and Soil Health – Leslie Johnson, leslie.johnson@unl.edu, 402-583-3818
    • This study began in the growing season of 2024 and will look specifically at several soil health characteristics that may be affected by swine manure. The site at HAL is just one of many in the larger multi-state trial led by South Dakota State University.