During the past long, dry eight years, researchers as well as producers have been struggling to find ways to make dry edible bean production more profitable while attempting to grow the crop with a greatly reduced amount of water.

On Tuesday, the annual Dry Bean Field Day focused on continuing efforts to get the most out of the crop, the land and the available moisture. Researchers at the University of Nebraska Panhandle Research and

 

Extension Center used the day to explain their latest studies and the potential impacts on the area's dry edible bean industry.

Dr. Linda Boeckner, executive director of the district center, said the staff recognizes the importance of the industry and welcomes the opportunity to work with growers in advancing their industry. She noted that in addition to the local research, area growers are hopeful that the specialty crops title of the Food,

 

Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 will result in some major benefits for Panhandle farmers.

Tour participants heard researchers explain the progress made in studying tillage, compaction, plant growth habits, yield, quality and water efficiencies. Eight PREC personnel discussed 12 topics during the three hours that were capped with a free hamburger lunch.

Gary Hergert, soils specialist, and Dean Yonts, irrigation specialist, explained their findings in getting the most out of the limited irrigation and precipitation experienced in this region since 2001. Hergert said strip tillage and other minimum tillage practices are proving their value by producing very good crops on minimum amounts of water. He said one of his studies has produced a good crop on four inches of irrigation because no-till stores more natural precipitation, partly because the residue reduces the plant's evapotranspiration.

"We're trying to establish a production function," Hergert explained. "Changes are coming in water issues, and we need to prepare for allocation. We're going to need to know the value of the water, and how to apply it properly."

Yonts explained his work with limited irrigation and how stressing dry bean plants at different times during their growing season can impact their production. He noted that early stress has significant negative impacts on the crop, while reducing water when the plants are more mature, doesn't have the same affect.

"Don't stress the plants early because they are trying to develop their potential," Yonts advised.

Producers are anticipating a later than normal harvest this year, due to several circumstances, including a cool spring that delayed development.

More information on the Bean Field Tour, which is sponsored by the Nebraska Dry Bean Growers Association, and co-sponsors, will be available in the Aug. 24 Farm & Ranch.