The University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Testing Ag Performance Solutions (TAPS) program celebrated its eighth year with an awards banquet recognizing the top achievers in farm management competitions across the state.
Established in 2017 by Nebraska Extension educators and specialists, the TAPS program connects producers with industry professionals, providing a platform to test and showcase cutting-edge farm management strategies and technologies. The program fosters collaboration among farmers, university experts, and industry leaders.
The event celebrated the 2024 competitions, which featured four contests held at research sites across Nebraska:
- Sprinkler corn and continuous corn at the West Central Research, Extension and Education Center in North Platte.
- Sorghum at the Henry J. Stumpf International Wheat Center near Grant.
- Soybeans at the Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension and Education Center near Mead.
Participants made individual input decisions for their plots, competing in the same field as their peers. Decisions varied by contest and included factors such as crop insurance, hybrid and variety selection, seeding rate, nitrogen and irrigation management, pest and disease control, cover crop termination, herbicide and micronutrient applications, and marketing.
Each competition featured distinct award categories, with top prizes for greatest grain yield, highest input use efficiency, and most profitability in the corn and sorghum contests. The soybean competition recognized greatest yield, lowest cost of production, and most profitability. Winners received up to $2,000 in cash prizes, a plaque, an oversized check, and personalized TAPS apparel.
Competition Results
The seventh annual sorghum contest faced challenges after an early August hail and windstorm impacted the results. Twelve teams participated, with the following winners:
- Most profitable: Brandon Rimpley (Orleans, Nebraska) and Ron Robison (Alma, Nebraska).
- Highest efficiency: Tyler Bose (Acadia, Nebraska).
- Greatest grain yield: Luke Olson (McCook, Nebraska).
The program’s newest competition, soybeans, saw 18 teams compete in its inaugural year:
- Greatest grain yield: Brian Stehno (Stratton, Nebraska).
- Lowest cost of production and most profitable: The team of Philip Swantek (Kearney, Nebraska), Roger Farr (Wellfleet, Nebraska), Shawn Sullivan (Gothenburg, Nebraska), and Chad Lammers (York, Nebraska).
Thirteen teams competed in the first year of the continuous corn contest:
- Greatest grain yield: Tri Basin Water Watchers (Holdrege, Nebraska).
- Most profitable: Jamey Balthazor (Scottsbluff, Nebraska) and Dan Fitts (Gering, Nebraska).
- Highest input use efficiency: The Rattlesnake Boys (Wood River, Nebraska).
The sprinkler corn contest, now in its eighth year, had 38 teams compete:
- Greatest grain yield and most profitable: Shawn Sullivan (Wallace, Nebraska).
- Highest input use efficiency: Tri Basin Water Watchers.
Outstanding TAPS Advocate
The Nebraska Corn Board was recognized as the Outstanding TAPS Advocate for its continued support of the UNL-TAPS program. Since its inception, the Nebraska Corn Board has provided financial support and has played an instrumental role in advancing the program’s mission.
The full 2024 TAPS Competition Report is available online at taps.unl.edu.
TAPS extends its gratitude to the sponsors, supporters, and participants whose dedication has contributed to the program’s ongoing success. Planning is already underway for the 2025 TAPS competitions, which promise another year of innovation and collaboration.
For more information or to get involved, contact the UNL-TAPS team at taps@unl.edu.
About TAPS
Founded in 2017, the Testing Ag Performance Solutions (TAPS) program is an innovative initiative developed by University of Nebraska research and extension specialists and educators. The program fosters real-world learning through interactive farm management competitions, allowing participants to test strategies, refine decision-making skills, and engage with university faculty and industry leaders.
