Author Archives: JenBrhel
Ranching for Profit School
This past week my husband and I had an incredible experience attending the Ranching for Profit School. It’s a fairly intense business training but really more than that. He had attended the school a few years ago and we chose to go together this year so I could better understand the economic concepts we were using on the farm. It’s exciting to see how the concepts, in addition to the peer group of other businesses, is helping transform our farm!
Ranching for Profit School began in 1983 and its mission is to help create Healthier Land, Happy Families, More Profitable Businesses. I think many of us can resonate with this. Specifically, the mission is about our purpose, our “why”. I’ve had a personal mission statement for decades, but it’s important for our businesses to have a statement as well. Why? It helps us with decision making and keeps us grounded in the good and difficult times. The mission should encompass the customer value, the owner value, and core principles (values). Our vision is what we want. I appreciated how the teachers kept asking us, “What do you want?” We can’t make wise decisions if we don’t know what we want to aim for. They shared, “If you can see it in your head and feel it in your heart, you can hold it in your hand.” Every business on my team left with an action item to work on our Mission/Vision. I think that’s an important item for all of us to consider for ourselves personally as well as professionally.
For the economic concepts, we were taught a way to determine gross margin per unit. This allows us to evaluate enterprises (each crop and/or class of livestock) side by side to understand where we were obtaining the most value. If we’re going to be profitable, we need to think about the value we’re creating. It’s a way to help us consider the things we should be doing more or stop doing altogether. We also learned strategies to determine how to increase the value of each enterprise.
We were challenged to think about any paradigms keeping us from moving forward. Paradigms are a lens from which we view the world. They’re subconscious beliefs we’re often unaware of. An example many can relate to is, “Hard work leads to success”. However, how many of us work incredibly hard yet aren’t profitable? Often working even harder isn’t possible or practical. We all have paradigms that impact our daily decisions and relationships. Some paradigms can be positive, but others can paralyze our decision-making. Paradigms lead to action which leads to results. Thus, they suggested if we wanted to change our result, we needed to look at our paradigms. Sometimes we can’t see the things right in front of us that need attention because of our paradigms. This is also where it’s important to have trusted peers and advisors who we allow to speak into our lives to help us see what we can’t. One unfortunate story shared how an owner’s deeply rooted paradigm resulted in an operation going bankrupt, in spite of others speaking into the situation using the economics. It made me wonder how quickly that could happen, particularly during really tough economic times such as now in farming. It was helpful for me to become more aware of paradigms I have and hopefully this thought is helpful to you too.
If any of this sounds of interest to you, I’d encourage you to check out the Ranching for Profit website at: https://ranchingforprofit.com/. While the school was designed for ranchers with livestock and grazing/haying enterprises, there are a number of farm and other businesses who attend because of the solid business principles that can be applied anywhere.
Dr. Kohl’s Ag Update
This week, I’m sharing an article that my colleague, Brandy VanDeWalle wrote on December 5, 2025 about “Ag Update and the Road Ahead” by Dr. David Kohl’s presentation at the recent Farmers and Rancher’s College Program. Brandy writes,
“Recently at a Farmers & Ranchers College program, Dr. David Kohl shared his global perspective on current events and how they influence U.S. agriculture—insights that are always incredibly valuable. One of the highlights of his presentation was a “SWOT analysis” of the United States. While many businesses routinely use SWOT analyses to evaluate strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, it was fascinating to consider how this framework applies to an entire country.
Kohl noted that one of the United States’ greatest strengths is its abundant natural resources. Together, the U.S. and Canada hold 20% of the world’s water supply. The nation’s extensive river system also provides an efficient means of transporting goods. Additional strengths include a solid capital structure, legal system, and property rights; the global role of the U.S. dollar in trade; a strong educational system; an entrepreneurial economy; and the country’s historic position as a global influencer since World War II.
Weaknesses cited include political polarization, inconsistent policies, and declining trust in institutions. The U.S. also faces an aging population combined with a reactive healthcare system, a growing federal deficit, substantial budget obligations, a service-dependent economy, a widening concentration of wealth and income, and aging infrastructure paired with supply chain challenges.
Kohl highlighted that North America has tremendous potential when the U.S., Canada, and Mexico work together—representing 5% of the world’s population but 29% of the global economy. Additional opportunities include improving proactive healthcare to enhance quality of life, cultivating next-generation leadership at all levels, advancing as a global leader in applied technologies, and strengthening natural resource and environmental management.
Among the threats, Kohl warned of the likelihood of a catastrophic technology event that could disrupt major industries or even the country itself. He also identified the risk of a “brain drain,” as scientists and researchers leave the U.S. due to issues such as funding uncertainty, instability, perceived anti-science sentiment, and heavy recruitment from other global powers including the EU and China.
Dr. Kohl emphasized the critical importance of human interaction and communication. While artificial intelligence and other technological tools can help reduce workloads, they can never replace genuine human relationships. He reminded attendees that people need connection and purpose. Quoting a favorite saying, he noted, “It is better to have a good neighbor than their farm,” reinforcing the idea that being kind and building strong relationships matter far more than acquiring more land or expanding a business.
In conclusion, he provided leadership principles that stand the test of time:
- Change occurs bottom up, not top down.
- Manage the controllables, manage around the uncontrollable.
- Quick money builds ego – disciplined principle-based strategy/activity results in resiliency, nimbleness, agility and character.
- If you are going to lead, you must read!
- Success is often measured in dollar signs. Significance is giving back and making a difference in people’s lives.
- A successful culture and society must have success in agriculture.
It was great to see over 30 FFA members and community college students in attendance which Dr. Kohl praised and asked them each to share what they learned. He praised the 4-H and FFA programs for providing youth a purpose and developing life skills.”
Reflections on Gratitude
With the growing season ending and the transition to winter programming beginning, I’ve been reflecting on gratitude, and the gifts of time, health, relationships, and seasons.
My husband and I, along with many of you, were so grateful to finish this harvest season! In spite of disappointing yields, I heard several farmers say they were looking forward to gathering with family on Thanksgiving and counting their blessings. That’s a great attitude as we are truly so blessed!
Regarding seasons, I’m ironically finding much gratitude in the nights turning darker earlier to allow for rest on the farm. You don’t have to agree; I truly believe that’s a gift God gave to us in farming communities who go so hard most of the time. The beauty found in each season was recognized by a beautiful, warm day last Sunday and white snow against green evergreens this Sunday!
Many family and friends in my life are struggling with health concerns; most likely in yours too. It’s daily reminded me how easy it is to take health for granted and be grateful for the health I have. Health is more than just physical; it’s also mental, emotional and spiritual. Life is so short and not guaranteed! Relationships are so important and can be fragile. This led me to think about relationships in my life and the need to be intentional in giving time to others. It’s so easy to be “busy” but are we “busy about the right things”? I’ve written names of people to connect with and now need to be intentional in doing that. What about you? Are there people in your life who could benefit from the gift of intentional time spent catching up?
As I reflect on this year and walk alongside of people, it seems like there’s increasing divisiveness, uncertainty, fear, anxiety, depression, and stress. For encouragement, fear and anxiety can’t succeed in the midst of gratitude. Gratitude produces Joy! When we focus on gratitude and choose joy, there’s no room for worry, discontentment, or fear for the focus is no longer on ourselves.
If we chose to live with gratitude, how would it change us and our perspectives? Would we be less prone to complain and get discouraged when things go wrong? Would we be less likely to argue and more likely to extend kindness and grace to others? How would it impact the divisiveness we see in our country, our communities, our families?
So how do we choose to live with gratitude? A start can be to intentionally seek at least one thing each day for which to be thankful. At first it can be difficult and perhaps awkward. For some, it’s hard to even think of one thing. Perhaps a starting point can be gratitude for one’s home, bed, food, vehicle, job, friend or family member, etc.? Over time of practicing this, one’s perspective can change to even finding gratitude as things go wrong. I’m not good about this all the time, but it sure helps my mindset and increases my perspective when I choose gratitude even when things go wrong. Perhaps others can relate to this?
Ultimately, my hope is that we can experience more joy each day in the everyday moments as we intentionally seek to live with gratitude. And, that this joy can be extended via kindness, grace, compassion to others around us.
Reminder of several programs this week: Organic Conference Dec. 2 near Mead, Dr. Kohl at 1 p.m. at the Bruning Opera House on Dec. 3, and the Landlord/Tenant cash rent workshop at 10:30 a.m. at the Seward Co. Extension Office on Dec. 4.
JenResources 11/24/25
Wishing everyone a blessed Thanksgiving! Here are some Thanksgiving food safety tips, recipes, and wellness activities from UNL Extension Food faculty: https://food.unl.edu/article/thanksgiving-central/.
Nitrogen Reduction Incentive Act Deadline has been extended to December 15, 2026. With a late harvest, this will help producers who desired to get an application in to try a practice on their farms that would reduce nitrogen rates by 40 lb N/ac. The online application form can be found at: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/090982880f3e47c196a83ea1928158c7. Additional information regarding this program can be found at: https://dnr.nebraska.gov/lb-1368-nitrogen-reduction-incentive-program.
Organic Conference: Are you interested in learning more about organic farming, are in the transition process or are already a certified organic producer? We invite you to join us for our third annual “Transition to Organic Farming” conference on December 2, 2025, at the Eastern Nebraska Research and Extension Center near Mead. This is a great event that brings together producers, extension, industry, non-profits, and researchers. Online registration is now open and is free due to funding from our sponsors, the USDA Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) and Nebraska Extension. Click here to register: https://enreec.unl.edu/2025-transition-to-organic-farming-conference/.
Farmers & Ranchers College: The Agricultural Update and the Road Ahead with Dr. David Kohl will be held on December 3, 2025, at the Opera House in Bruning, NE at 1:00 p.m. There is no charge for this program due to the support of the Farmers and Ranchers College sponsors. This session will connect the dots between today’s economic landscape and your business decisions on the ground. Practical financial and management strategies will be shared to help you adapt, lead, and succeed, regardless of the economic cycle. This is versatile for a wide range of groups including lenders, producers, agribusiness owners, and students. More info. at: go.unl.edu/farmersrancherscollege.
Landlord/Tenant Cash Lease Workshop in Seward December 4 will be held for landowners and operators from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 4, at the Extension Office in Seward, 322 S. 14th St. The meeting, titled “Financial Strategies for Effective Agricultural Land Leasing and Management” will cover current Nebraska cash rental rates and land values, best practices for agricultural leases, and other contract considerations. The meeting will also include financial considerations for farm succession and transition and offer an opportunity for those in attendance to have their leasing questions answered. Lunch will be provided, sponsored by Farmers National Company. There is no charge to attend, but registration is required by Dec. 3 by calling the Extension Office at 402-643-2981. More information about cash rental rates, leasing and farm and ranch transition can be found on the Center for Agricultural Profitability’s website, https://cap.unl.edu.
2025 Yields Part 2
York County Corn Grower Banquet will be held Thursday, November 20th at Chances ‘R in York. Social at 6:30 p.m. with meal at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 and can be reserved at the Extension Office at (402) 362-5508 or contacting a York Co. Corn Grower Director.
In last week’s column, we walked through the growing season providing perspectives of what may have caused yield loss. I mentioned that while people are looking for solutions, increased nitrogen rates, more fungicide applications, and tillage are not the answers for higher yields. In conversations, those were the “solutions” people were trying to provide. Several asked me for any patterns from observations and conversations I’ve had. That’s what I will attempt to share in this column. There’s a number of field situations where only 150 lb N and one fungicide application resulted in above-average yields. In those situations, correlations included balanced overall nutrition where nitrogen was reduced, TIMELY fungicide application, and not over-irrigating.
I realize quite a bit of tillage has occurred. Gently, please remember the wind events we receive each spring. I encourage you if you have tilled, to consider covering the ground with cereal rye. March 2025 was the windiest March on record in Nebraska and I remember several accidents due to poor visibility. I realize this is a hard topic. Tillage will not control southern rust as that fungus doesn’t overwinter in residue. It will help with the tar spot fungus, but there are other management considerations including hybrid and not over-applying nitrogen and irrigation.
Reduced nitrogen: It was interesting walking our on-farm research studies where we had nitrogen ramps this past year and observe the correlation between less southern rust in the lower nitrogen rates and more southern rust in the higher nitrogen rates. Dr. Bob Gunzenhauser observed the same thing this past year and posted a photo on X showing two hybrids and the variation of southern rust compared to nitrogen rates.
Timely fungicide application: There were people with better yields (250+) who applied only one fungicide while others applied two. I didn’t hear too much from those who applied three to five applications. Some applied two fungicide timings of two different generic products and did just as well as the higher priced products with one application. The key was not applying the fungicide too early so there was some later season residual. Some applied a second fungicide around late dough to early dent stage this year and that seemed to work for hybrids that were more prone to southern rust. The keys were knowing the hybrid, not having excess nitrogen, and proper irrigation management.
Irrigation Management was perhaps the thing that was most frustrating for growers. We started the season off so dry after several years of being dry. So, it’s easy to be in the mindset of irrigating. Anytime non-irrigated fields yield the same or more than irrigated fields, it’s often due to over-irrigation. Irrigation events often occurred before rain events this year. This year’s relative humidity was also very high, thus, the crop didn’t use as much water. Because of that, we were keeping some soils too wet by irrigating which, both Dr. Tom Hoegemeyer and I believe, added to the crown rot and stalk rot issues we experienced. Dr. Hoegemeyer also wrote a recent article reflecting on “60 Harvests – Changes I Have Seen — Nebraska Soil Health Coalition“.
Final thoughts, there’s not one answer but a combination of factors that impacted fields this year. There’s also a lot of farmers hurting with the combination of low yields, low commodity prices and high input costs. Hundreds of thousands of dollars were lost per field in several situations. For those involved and/or interacting with the farming community, please reach out to each other and check in with each other. Please know you’re not alone and there’s always help and hope if you’re struggling. 988 is Nebraska’s suicide and crisis lifeline. There’s also a number of people who have announced retirements or will be announcing them. It’s important to be supportive. Conversations I’ve had with growers this year include: retiring to avoid taking on additional debt, wanting to scale back to reduce debt and stress, and retiring due to health reasons-both physically and anxiety/stress. It’s important for those retiring to retire “to something” by staying active in some way.
2025 Yields
This harvest was a difficult one, plagued with breakdowns, slow-going in storm-damaged corn, and disappointing yields. While there were a few reports of decent yields, the overwhelming majority of farmers and seed dealers in the area have been disappointed. Honestly, I was worn down and needed a mental break before I could address this in writing. I asked Dr. Roger Elmore, Dr. Tom Hoegemeyer, Dr. Bob Nielsen, and Dr. Eric Hunt if my reasoning was on track and for their additional thoughts and am grateful to them.
Major Point: People are looking for solutions, but increased nitrogen rates, more fungicide applications, and tillage are not the answers. What went right? Balanced nutrient management with reduced nitrogen inputs, TIMELY fungicide application, and proper irrigation management are future keys.
We began the season with dry planting conditions. I was arguing we were potentially drier than Spring 2023 with the observations about rye and pastures not growing. Crops went into the ground quickly without cold snaps. Several farmers were completely done planting in April. Irrigation began early to get moisture into seedbeds and to activate herbicide. Plant stands and emergence were uneven, evidenced again at harvest with varying ear sizes and plants with ears that didn’t pollinate. I think that impacted us more than we realized. The Memorial Day weekend rains saved us.
A relief was that rain kept falling in spite of it varying greatly in timing and amounts. Some experienced higher non-irrigated yields in corn and soybeans compared to irrigated fields. That nearly always is due to too much irrigation and timing of those irrigations, often occurring right before a significant rain event.
We had a few wind/hailstorms in July and the fairly widespread Aug. 8-10 wind/hail event, which York Co. escaped. Much of the year we received lower than average solar radiation (which includes photosynthetically active radiation or PAR). There were several periods of cloudy/hazy/smoky days. Research utilizing shade cloth revealed 25-30% potential yield loss with shading occurring from R2-R6 stages in corn. As Dr. Roger Elmore pointed out, the hybrid maize model was predicting average yields at the end of the growing season in spite of the low PAR, which would suggest biotic (living) factors being the greater issue. Photosynthetic stress on plants can also include southern rust impacts on leaf tissue and stalk rots. I’m wondering if irrigation prior to heavy rain events exacerbated the fusarium crown rot/gibberella stalk rot we saw? Dr. Tom Hoegemeyer wondered the same thing. “Photosynthetic stress and stalk rot go together like beans and weenies. Each one can cause the other. We MAY have had some early infection with Fusarium/gib due to saturated soils/etc. As you know, high N rates, lower K available and a dozen other stress sources make it worse.”
High night-time temperatures burn sugars that should go into ears to fill kernels. I mentioned my concern about this throughout July and August. By mid to late August, ears began pre-maturely drooping, cutting off the food supply to kernels. Looking at kernels in numerous fields at harvest time, they appeared shriveled/pinched at the base. Dr.’s Tom Hoegemeyer, Roger Elmore, and Bob Nielsen all attribute that to stress occurring before black layer in which the kernels prematurely died before completing the normal black layer process. I feel the greatest contributors of this were the high night-time temperatures and the stresses of southern rust and stalk rots. Dr. Eric Hunt also mentioned the high humidity, particularly in York County due to the sheer amount of irrigation which may have led to increased disease pressure including stalk rots.
Dr. Bob Nielsen: “Your description of the kernels makes me think that kernel development was prematurely halted. Although, honestly, severe reductions in photosynthetic leaf tissue prior to BL (black layer) due to southern rust etc. or early onset of severe stalk rots would also prematurely shut down kernel development. And, of course,…(large) ears with excellent kernel set create a huge demand for photosynthate during grain fill, which exacerbates the negative effects of severe loss of photosynthetic leaf tissue and predisposes the stalk and root tissue to rapid fungal rot infection and development.”
Dr. Tom Hoegemeyer summed it up: “I think we had lots of issues that caused PS (photosynthetic) stress, some of which impacted our irrigated acres worse than our dryland acres. (My home dryland area had lots of 200 to 220 bpa corn and 65 to 70 bpa soybeans. After a dry spring, we had more rain than we’ve had for years). Irrigated corn in the area often wasn’t as good as the dryland, even with more N applied. The more stressors (hot nights, light limitations, too high N for the amt of light/PS–exacerbating disease issues, multiple leaf diseases combined with high humidity, continuous corn, etc.) the bigger the yield loss. And, in some instances, I think adding water to these fields hurt more than it helped.”
Sources:
York: -21 MJ/m2
Grand Island: -9.7 MJ/m2
Lincoln: -25.2 MJ/m2
Falls City: -28.3 MJ/m2
Norfolk: -10.7 MJ/m2
Wayne: +19.7 MJ/m2
West Point: -1.3 MJ/m2″
Southern Rust Myths
The following article, originally published in CropWatch (https://cropwatch.unl.edu/mythbusters-southern-rust-edition/) , was written by Dr. Tamra Jackson-Ziems and Kyle Broderick. High disease levels of southern rust were present in 2025, impacting yields. This article addresses the misinformation we are hearing about southern rust before decisions are made for next year’s growing season.
“Myth #1: Overwintering Rust: The southern rust fungus cannot overwinter in Nebraska. (It cannot survive in corn residue or soil).
The southern rust fungus (Puccinia polysora) needs to infect living, green corn in order to survive, and there is no known alternate host. Thus, the fungus can’t overwinter anywhere the climate doesn’t support corn growth through the winter months.
In fact, our rust fungi are likely blown north into the United States from subtropical locations, such as parts of Mexico, where corn is grown year-round. The southern rust fungi typically reach Nebraska in late July; however, this year they arrived earlier than usual, with the first confirmed sighting on July 9 — the earliest on record for the state.
Myth #2: Infected Grass: Southern rust doesn’t infect brome or other grasses nearby.
Rust fungi tend to have very narrow host ranges, infecting only one or a few plant species. Because several species of rust thrive under the same environmental conditions, it’s not unusual to see multiple plant species showing rust symptoms at the same time — even though they’re caused by different pathogens.
Myth #3: Super Strains: There is no new “super strain” of southern rust fungus.
… the severity we observed was due to prolonged periods of extremely favorable weather conditions — southern rust thrived under high relative humidity and average temperatures around 80°F. Southern rust…has been confirmed in 19 of the last 20 years…. If you remember 2006, you might recall another historic outbreak centered in south-central Nebraska. That season also brought delayed corn planting from spring rains, followed by ideal weather for rust development during the first two weeks of August. Many fields suffered stalk weakening and lodging, which caused memorable harvest challenges.
Myth #4: Fungicide Failures: Fungicides did not fail to control southern rust this year.
Although yield data are still coming in, most reports indicate that fungicides performed wellagainst southern rust this year. During years with substantial disease pressure, differences in fungicide performance become more apparent, underscoring the importance of selecting effective products and applying them at the right time. Results from multiple states, compiled by the Crop Protection Network, reinforce these findings. Remember: Even the best product can’t perform well without good coverage and proper timing, especially in a season like 2025 when disease pressure was unusually high.” The full article can be viewed at: https://cropwatch.unl.edu/mythbusters-southern-rust-edition/.
November 2025 Events
The following are some November events that may be of interest to you.
Online Course: LLC’s for Nebraska Farms and Ranches: The program is designed to help farm and ranch families make informed decisions about whether an LLC is the right structure for their business and avoid costly mistakes. Course participants will learn how to:Decide whether an LLC is the right entity structure for their operation, Navigate the steps and costs of forming an LLC in Nebraska, Identify and avoid frequent legal and tax missteps through better business management.
The course includes short video interviews with attorneys, accountants and ag professionals, as well as checklists, worksheets and links to podcasts and articles that address specialized topics. The cost for the course is $150 per person. Participants will have access to the course for 90 days from the date of enrollment. Enrollment is at: https://advance.nebraska.edu/browse/unl/courses/llcs-for-nebraska-farms-and-ranches
Central Nebraska Regen Ag Conference will be held on Tuesday, November 11 from 8:45 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at the Phelps Co. Ag Center in Holdrege (Registration at 8:00 a.m.). The cost is $29 for those who register before November 3. Ray Archuleta will be the keynote speaker sharing on “Why Regenerative Ag is the Future” and “The Tools of Regenerative Agriculture”. Dr. Ray Ward will also be sharing on “The Value of Residue”. There will also be a producer panel and vendors present. Registration includes a light breakfast and lunch. More information and registration can be found at: https://www.cccneb.edu/agconference.
Optimizing Herd Health and Longevity will be held Nov. 12 from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the Bremer Center in Aurora. Josie Crouch, Extension Educator, will talk about heifer selection and development, winter grazing strategies, and market outlook. There is no charge for this program.
Farmers & Ranchers College: The 2025-2026 Farmers & Ranchers College will kick off with a Cover Crop Grazing Conference on November 21, 2025, at the Clay County Fairgrounds in Clay Center, NE. This program will serve as our annual Cow/Calf College and provide growers and producers who utilize cover crops strategies for success. This year’s event will feature presentations on managing nitrates and prussic acid in cover crops, as well as the latest developments in virtual fencing technology. Attendees will also benefit from a producer panel sharing firsthand experiences, quick-hit poster presentations highlighting current research, and guided field tours focused on practical cover crop grazing strategies. Please RSVP at: https://enreec.unl.edu/CoverCropGrazingConference/.
The Agricultural Update and the Road Ahead with Dr. David Kohl will be held on December 3, 2025, at the Opera House in Bruning, NE at 1:00 p.m. Finally, a special couple or family program on family farm transitioning will be held on March 19, 2026. All this information and the latest flyers can be found at: go.unl.edu/farmersrancherscollege.
Organic Conference: Are you interested in learning more about organic farming, are in the transition process or are already a certified organic producer? We invite you to join us for our third annual “Transition to Organic Farming” conference on December 2, 2025, at the Eastern Nebraska Research and Extension Center near Mead. This is a great event that brings together producers, extension, industry, non-profits, and researchers. Online registration is now open and is free due to funding from our sponsors, the USDA Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) and Nebraska Extension. Click here to register: https://enreec.unl.edu/2025-transition-to-organic-farming-conference/.
Precision Ag and Sensor Tech
For the past few weeks, I’ve shared nitrogen management research and producer testimonials. The producer testimonials, I felt, were especially insightful considering current input costs, commodity prices, and the focus on groundwater quality for future generations. With November 1st a few weeks away and growers thinking about pre-plant nitrogen applications, I’d encourage you to consider the Nitrogen Challenge that I’ve shared the past few years. It is, for Pre-Plant Nitrogen applications:
- Consider applying a base rate of 50-100 lb N/ac on one field.
- Use a sensing technology like Sentinel Ag to apply the remaining nitrogen when needed based on plant needs. The technology can be used with in-season fertigation and/or side-dress applications.
- Only asking you to consider one field. Will you join us in this?
Our Extension Soil Fertility and Precision Ag Specialists wrote a series of Nitrogen management articles for CropWatch, the latest is using precision ag and sensor technology for nitrogen management, which I will share excerpts of below. Their takeaway based on research? “Applying nitrogen closer to when the crop needs it — guided by precision agriculture tools — reduces waste, increases profits and protects Nebraska’s water resources.”
“Why Precision Ag for Nitrogen? Crop sensors measure crop canopy reflectance during the season, detecting developing N stress before it is visible to the human eye. This enables farmers to adjust fertilizer applications in real time, aligning supply more closely with crop demand. Precision ag tools move nitrogen management from a “predict and apply” approach to a “monitor and respond” approach.”
Active Canopy Sensors are mounted on high-clearance applicators and emit light and measure reflectance to determine crop N status. Applications typically occur once between V8-V12 stages.
- UNL’s Project SENSE (2015–2021, >80 site-years) showed that sensor-based sidedress reduced N rates by an average of 33 lb N/acre compared to grower practices, while maintaining yields and improving profits.
Satellite-Based Sensors are passive systems that use the sun’s energy and satellite reflectance data. It’s practical today due to daily revisit times and ~30 foot resolution.
- Partnering with Sentinel Ag, Nebraska On-Farm Research (2021–2023, 24 sites) found average N savings of 56 lb N/acre with yields nearly identical to grower practice, while partial profits increased by about $24/acre.
Steps for Farmers
- Apply a base rate: Around 50-100 lb N/ac (25% of total) at planting.
- Set calibration: Include N reference strips or use virtual references to benchmark sensor readings.
- Monitor the canopy: Between V8-R2 growth stages, track crop reflectance with active or passive sensors.
- Apply as needed: Fertigate or sidedress 30-60 lb N/ac when the sensors detect developing stress. Multiple applications may be required, typically one to three per year.
- Take advantage of irrigation systems: Center pivots with injection pumps allow timely fertigation. Ensure proper chemigation certification and backflow protection.”
Farmer Testimonials: Sentinel Ag
Photos (Left): 2024 Nitrogen Challenge Farmer Panel: Jason Richters, Scott Richert, Mike Spray, Tyler Smith, Phil Christenson, Jesse Williams (photo by Jenny Brhel). (Right): 2025 Nitrogen Challenge Farmer Panel: Jason Richters, Todd Schmieding, Erik Friesen, Tyler Smith (photo by Abigayle Warm).
***Newspaper Editors: Please note this week’s column is longer; because it’s unique, I would appreciate you printing it all if possible-even if it needs to be over a few editions. Thank you!***
Farmers appreciate hearing from other farmers’ experiences. So, I asked farmers who tried Sentinel Ag in the Upper Big Blue and Little Blue NRDs if they’d be willing to share: their why, their experiences, and advice to farmers considering trying it. The following were willing and have used Sentinel Ag for more than one year. I appreciate the vulnerability from these farmers in sharing!
Jason Richters: I had a desire to improve my nitrogen use efficiency, so I decided to try the Sentinel Ag nitrogen management system three years ago. The ability to know if the crop needs a nitrogen application based on satellite imagery is a game changer, and we have learned that we can better manage and reduce our nitrogen application rates while maintaining yields. This is good for our bottom line and may eventually reduce nitrate levels in our groundwater.
Using a nitrogen management system is a management change, but more importantly it’s been a management improvement. I encourage other farmers to try this technology, especially if they are already split applying their nitrogen.
Tyler Smith: My experience is a little different than most producers because I was able to be a part of the development of the concept that grew into Sentinel Ag with my role at UNL. As far as my personal farm operation, I had started fertigating about 15 years ago and had seen the benefits of spreading out my nitrogen applications but there were years where I wondered if I needed that last fertigation. After Sentinel became commercially available, I could see the promise of the method and I enrolled a couple of fields in 2022 and 2023. I was realizing nitrogen savings without losing yield. In 2024 and 2025, I’ve had all of my irrigated corn acres enrolled and I’ve been able to lower my nitrogen use by 10-40% while achieving several new field best yields.
What I’ve observed is that nitrogen availability is so variable in both total growing season need and the timing of that need that I don’t know how I can ever hope to accurately predict it. It’s much easier to let the corn tell me when it needs it and, at the end of the season, I’ll know what the total need was, not at the beginning. We don’t decide how much irrigation we will need for the next growing season in November or March, it’s a real-time decision that we make as we go through growing season that accounts for changes in weather, yield potential, ROI, etc. We have the ability to manage nitrogen the same way that accounts for all of the unknowns in real-time with a sensor-based approach.
Scott Richert: I started my in season nitrogen a while ago with the Nsense program using sensors on a Hagie sprayer. I had been sidedressing for years but wanted to see if I could get better. What I found was I was close. I was putting on enough to have a good yield but the sensors had better ROI. From there we kept adjusting and when the Sentinel program came out I put 2 fields in. I found the same thing that I was getting a good yield but the sensors were having a better ROI. So ROI is great but the other thing that means is that I was over applying nitrogen. In the Upper Big Blue NRD I live in one of the areas that has not moved up on the list for testing and reporting. Looking at how the numbers have been moving though it’s just a matter of time. For my soil it takes 30 years for the nitrate to make it to the water table. It basically takes most of a farming career for the nitrogen you apply to make it to the aquifer.
If we want to make things better for the people that come behind us we need to make changes now. With in season application I have nitrogen in the system only when my crop is there and using it. I have the nitrogen that the crop needs now not for the whole season. If we have adverse weather I can adjust to that. If it is hailed out I save the balance of my fertilizer and don’t let it leach away. If the plant is telling me it needs more I can put it on. If the mineralization is really good the plant will tell me it is happy and I can save an application.
There are some issues to work through. You don’t really know how much nitrogen you are going to use on each farm each year. You may need to purchase more later in the season or you may need to store some until next year. Sometimes it has been hard to apply when you want. It can rain at an inopportune time but I’ve never not got the application done. The sensors have a seven day window of time to make an application.
Todd Schmieding: Sentinel has allowed me to manage nitrogen as it is needed on the field. It accounts for release from cover crops in a way that gives me the full credit when it is available. It does add challenges in timing and changing when my work occurs, as it is not predictable. I have also seen changes in status before I applied the nitrogen, creating additional questions as to what is happening in the field. If you’re considering adding this to your program start on one field at first, and then expand from there.
Jesse Williams: Using in season nitrogen application through the pivot allows you to spread the applications out and “spoon Feed” the crop. Adding a sensor system such as Sentinel provides an additional tool to monitor crop needs. The big benefit to this in my mind is the ability to apply nitrogen based on crop needs and potential throughout the season. Applying a full rate upfront of 1-1.2lb per expected bushel can prove to be extremely wasteful if you encounter weather related issues such as hail, heavy rainfall or wind damage. Using the spoon feed approach with fertigation for the last three years I have typically been able to keep my Nitrogen use under .8lb per bushel.
Challenges for me have been gaps in imagery due to cloud cover/smoke. This year I probably shot from the hip more on applications due to the fact that I was going a week or more between imagery updates and trying to time applications between rainfalls. I think sentinel has some solutions to help with this including capturing drone imagery and modeling expected uptake based on planting date, maturity and GDU’s. We had thought linking my Field View account would bring some of this information in but Field View seems to be struggling to link with any partners this year. Another challenge is working with applicators on variable rate Nitrogen applications since there seems to be very few farmers in the area doing variable rate Nitrogen so their experience in applying it is not where it should be; I have also struggled to get as applied maps back from applicators after the application is done.
Brad Morner: This has been my third season using Sentinel and my experience with in-season nitrogen has been good. I am glad I’ve tried it. It’s made me aware of how much less nitrogen I can use and still have good yields. Working with sentinel has been a very good experience. They are so easy to work with and always get back to me quickly when I have questions. I like it because Sentinel tells me when the corn needs more nitrogen based on the satellite sensing technology, so I’m not just guessing when to apply more. I realized that I could get by with less nitrogen and still get the same yields. The biggest challenge is that it takes a little more time during the season. I used to fertigate once during the season. With Sentinel, I do 2 or 3 smaller applications instead of one large application but I also realize that it is worth the extra time because I am applying the nitrogen more efficiently as needed.
Erik Friesen: Yesterday we took out 2 NCGA (National Corn Grower Association) contest plots. Both were about 140#’s N, two different hybrids and both did 295. These were also non gmo white corn. This year every acre we have has less than 150#’s N. If people can update equipment, adapt to different tillage practices, use of autosteer and technology, why do people still use the same idea that they did 40 years ago when it comes to fertilizer recommendations? The struggle I see is the time it takes, big farmers will just keep doing the same thing. But I guess this is what makes me more competitive with them, raising high value crops, using less inputs.
Grateful to these farmers for sharing their experiences! Please reach out to them with questions if you’re interested in trying Sentinel Ag this coming year.
JenResources 