Seeking New Opportunities Through Collaborative Corn Research

This project seeks to add value to the US corn crop by producing a biodegradable plastic, called PHA, from co-products of the ethanol production process. New policy initiatives around the world have banned single-use plastics. This new sustainably sourced alternative degrades naturally in just a few months and could be a viable replacement to single-use plastics.

Nitrogen (N) fertilizer is necessary for high corn yields and farmer profitability. While Nebraska corn growers have steadily improved nitrogen-use efficiency (NUE) in corn production over the last 50 years, room still exists to improve NUE, while maintaining or increasing yields. This project seeks to develop an online platform that allows farmers to evaluate current NUE and identify agricultural practices to increase their efficiency without losing yields and profit.

The Genomes to Fields Initiative (G2F) seeks to understand how differences in genotype, environment and management decisions interact to determine difference in yield across different farms, environments, and years. Understanding what factors affect corn yield in certain areas is critical to guide management decisions, as well as the selection of the proper hybrids for specific environments. This work has been underway since 2014 and involves researchers from 22 states.

Beef production is often considered a negative impact on the environment due to concerns with greenhouse gas emissions, particularly due to methane produced during fermentation. This study uses pen-level methane barns to capture and quantify the impact of feeding different types of distillers grains and feed combinations on methane gas production. If feeding distillers grains decreases methane production, then value increases for use in beef feedlots, particularly if the distillers are of common types in Nebraska. Curriculum is also being added so students can see and learn about how cattle digest forage and grains (and distillers grains) through rumen fermentation.

Nebraska is increasingly facing significant nitrogen (N) management challenges in sustaining corn production while protecting drinking groundwater quality. One option to address these challenges is to follow the “4Rs” concept (the Right source, at the Right place, in the Right time and at the Right rate). Results of this study will be used to improve UNL’s nitrogen algorithm and provide much-needed information to stakeholders in identifying the Right fertilizer source and Right placement at the Right timing of N application for sustaining crop yield, improving profits, reducing N losses and protecting water quality.

The western corn rootworm is a major pest of continuous corn in Nebraska that feeds on corn roots, reducing plant growth and lowering yields. This insect is highly adaptable and has evolved resistance to many management strategies used against it. This project tests innovative tactics to combat the spread of corn rootworm including biological control and cover crops. A truly integrated IPM (Integrated Pest Management) approach is critical to staying ahead of this crop pest.

It is important that youth recognize career pathways in the food, agriculture, and natural resource industries to fill those jobs. Since 2012, the Innovative Youth Corn Challenge has engaged 178 youth with in-depth, experiential learning. This partnership between the Nebraska Corn Board and Nebraska Extension has created an awareness of agronomic-related career opportunities and successfully involved youth in rigorous hands-on inquiry-based learning through completion of on-farm research or demonstration plots in Nebraska corn fields.

The University of Nebraska is developing the Ag Budget Calculator (ABC) program to assist producers in developing individualized cash and economic cost and return estimates. ABC is a user-friendly, Windows- and Mac-compatible online budgeting system that provides breakeven and enterprise cost and return metrics useful in production, cost control and other management decision-making. Users can either develop their crop budgets from scratch or upload one of the 80-plus University of Nebraska crop budgets and then customize that budget to match their cropping practices.

Nebraska corn growers are constantly challenged to grow corn responsibly using proven sustainable practices resulting in less impact on the environment. Corn growers typically ask the question, “Does this new production practice or a specific input work to improve the corn yield on my farm and does it provide an economic payback?” On-farm research can help a grower answer these important questions. The focus of this program is to enhance the ability for corn growers to make data-driven decisions and remain competitive leaders in corn production.

Corn kernel fiber is a natural, renewable and low-cost resource created through the ethanol production process. Currently, it is used as a low-grade animal feed ingredient, but it could have another use. Carbon fiber (CF), a synthetic material used in electronics, aviation and automobile manufacturing is currently created from petroleum-based products. This project has developed a novel process of converting corn kernel fiber to high-quality carbon fiber. This new, high-value specialty product is important for increasing the value of Nebraska’s corn crop.

The UNL Testing Ag Performance Solutions (TAPS) program is a farm management competition that challenges producers in areas of input use efficiency and profitability. The goals and mission of the TAPS program align closely with those of the Nebraska Corn Board (NCB), especially as we seek to identify sustainable and profitable management practices and solutions for corn production. A key benefit of the TAPS program is that it provides producers the opportunity to try new and emerging technologies and management strategies prior to purchasing and adopting on their own farm. This program provides a touchstone where people can observe and use new ideas, test conventional wisdom, and discover better ways to do business in an environment of friendly competition.