Field Assessments to Improve Efficiency Workshops

A new educational effort by Nebraska Extension seeks to enhance the knowledge of Nebraska corn, soybean and wheat producers on their sustainability and operational efficiency measures.  Workshop participants will use a web-based tool called Fieldprint® Calculator.

We want growers in Nebraska to be better able to understand and communicate how management choices affect overall sustainability performance and operational efficiency of their farm operations, said Extension Educator Randy Pryor.

Pryor said the inspiration of the new workshops came from a similar effort in Crete in 2011 led by Bunge and Kellogg with assistance from UNL Extension and other partners. The project included 23 corn producers who delivered grain to the Crete Mill. They compared efficiency measures and were able to assess their farm's efficiency and sustainability. Lessons learned led to an updated version of the Fieldprint® Calculator.

Calculating "Fieldprints" can help growers establish benchmark data on a field and track improvements over time, set energy-saving and efficiency goals and compare performance against local, state and national benchmarks.

The new Field Assessment workshops in Nebraska are hands-on and will show growers how to document eight sustainability and efficiency indicators:

• Land use
• Conservation
• Soil carbon
• Irrigation water use
• Water quality
• Energy use
• Greenhouse gas emissions
• Water quality

Participants will select a representative crop field for 2014 and complete a data input sheet in advance of the Fieldprint® Calculator workshops. Meals and workshop materials are sponsored through a Nebraska Extension Innovation grant.  Computer laptops will be provided or you can bring your own.  Pre-registration is required. Pre-register by Friday, Dec. 5, by contacting a host Extension office.

Workshop Schedule

Clay Center: Monday, Dec. 8, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., UNL Extension in Clay County, 111 West Fairfield, Clay Center
Geneva: Monday, Dec. 8, 5:30 p.m. – 9 p.m., Geneva Public Library, 1043 G Street, Geneva
Auburn: Tuesday, Dec. 9, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Nemaha County Hospital Meeting Room, 2022 13th Street, Auburn
Fairbury: Tuesday, Dec. 9, 5:30 p.m. – 9 p.m., UNL Extension in Jefferson County, 517 F Street, Fairbury
Central City: Wednesday, Dec. 10, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., UNL Extension in Merrick County, 1510 18th Street, Central City
Aurora: Wednesday, Dec. 10, 5:30 p.m. – 9 p.m., Leadership Center, 2211 Q Street, Aurora
Fremont: Thursday, Dec. 11, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., UNL Extension in Dodge County, 1206 West 23rd, Fremont
Schuyler: Thursday, Dec. 11, 5:30 p.m. – 9 p.m., UNL Extension in Colfax County, 466 Road 10, Schuyler

Source:unl.edu