Enhancing Production Efficiency and Farm Profitability Through Innovative Engagement Teaching and Programming

Recognized by Western Agricultural Economics Association (WAEA) and Agricultural and Applied Economics Association (AAEA) as an innovative adult education (Extension/outreach) program. Testing Agriculture Performance Solutions (TAPS) was developed at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s (UNL) West Central Research, Extension, Education Center (WCREEC) in North Platte, NE. This program was created to enhance Extension education by increasing stakeholder engagement and commitment. This engagement comes in the form of a series of season-long contests, the application of andragogical principles, and the support of Extension programming and materials. Four key groups make this program viable: facilitators, competitors, integrators, and followers. This program is hosted and maintained by the university facilitators, with help from integrators and agribusinesses. Competitors make production and management choices recorded and acted upon by the facilitators, with reports and publications made available to all, including followers. This paper describes the reasoning and application of the program with accompanying feedback by competitors. The current program focuses on farm profitability in conjunction with nitrogen and irrigation efficacy and efficiency. While the program is effective, it is costly and requires special resources that are limited. To address these issues, a virtual version is being developed. This new virtual TAPS will increase flexibility and reduce costs, making it more accessible and useful.