High Plains Ag Lab - Sidney,
NE
All about HPAL:
Useful Links:
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Our mission:
The High Plains Ag Lab (HPAL) is a satellite unit of the
Panhandle Research and Extension Center in Scottsbluff. Our mission
is to improve the profitability of dryland crop and livestock production
through applied research responsive to the needs of local producers.
Location:
Six miles northwest of Sidney, NE, in the heart of western Nebraska’s
major dryland crop production area.
Research Capacity:
Total
acreage: the HPAL covers 2,400 acres, one-third in dryland crop
rotations and two-thirds in pasture.
Expertise: Fifty
to 60 research trials are conducted each year by scientists based
at the Panhandle Research and Extension Center as well as University
of Nebraska-Lincoln and neighboring states. Expertise includes agronomy;
plant breeding, physiology, and pathology; soil fertility; irrigation;
entomology; weed science; marketing and economics; and livestock
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Administration and
Staff:
Director, Panhandle
Research and Extension Center: Dr. Linda Boeckner
Ag Lab Supervisor: Dr. Drew Lyon
Farm Manager: Mr. Tom Nightingale
Advisory Board Chairman: Scott Easterly, Farmer/Rancher,
Sidney, NE
Staff:
Glen Frickel, Crop Breeding Technician
Rob Higgins, Cropping Systems Technician
Paul McMillen, Animal Science Technician
Connie Thomas, Secretary-Lab Assistant
Eldon Thomas, Technician Aid
Crop Research:
Crop rotation systems:
Research crops are produced on 27 fields ranging in size from 22 to 36
acres. Seven different crop rotations range in length from two to six
years. Various cropping system components are represented: summer fallow,
no-fallow, minimum tillage and no-tillage. These systems allow research
with the same crops and rotations used by our clientele. In 2006, 75 acres
were certified for organic production.
Irrigated plots:
A 12-acre, lateral-move irrigation system enables scientists to simulate
different precipitation patterns.
Long-Term Tillage Plots:
Established in 1970 to compare moldboard plow, sub-tillage, and no-tillage
fallow systems on winter wheat and soil parameters. A native sod treatment
has been maintained.
Grain dryer and storage:
A continuous flow dryer and grain storage system allow direct harvest
of proso millet and emerging alternative crops with a stripper header.
 Livestock
Research:
Nine pastures:
Cattle graze crested wheatgrass pastures to assess supplementation,
feed additives or health measurements on performance.
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