Support the Panhandle Research and Extension Center

The University of Nebraska Panhandle Research and Extension Center is a facility of the University of Nebraska Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR). Located in Scottsbluff, the center houses 15 faculty, most of whom hold joint appointments in research and extension.; In addition, 18 county-based faculty based in UNL Extension county offices focus on agricultural, family and consumer science, and youth issues.

Our facilities include several hundred acres of research plots, irrigation systems and other equipment, well-equipped greenhouses, and laboratories. Research is focused on crops and conditions specific to the irrigated High Plains of western Nebraska, such as corn, dry edible beans, sugarbeets, potatoes, and many specialty crops or alternative crops that show potential for this region.

The Scotts Bluff Ag Lab, surrounding the center headquarters, comprises 156 acres of irrigated cropland. About four miles to the north, at the Mitchell Ag Lab, lies 269 acres of irrigated cropland. UNL also carries out crop research at the High Plains Ag Lab near Sidney, where the agriculture is mostly rain-fed, as opposed to irrigated. Research needs are identified by growers’ associations, commodity groups, food processors, chemical companies, or other agribusinesses.

With 105 total pens, UNL’s Panhandle Research Feedlot is the nation’s largest research feedlot with capabilities for individual pen water intake measurements. The feedlot allows UNL specialists to carry out research that is as precise and accurate as possible, free from factors that could skew results, and always on the cutting edge of the cattle feeding industry. The goal is to make research conditions as similar as possible to commercial feedlot conditions, so UNL’s results will be applicable and significant to the High Plains and Intermountain area.

At the Panhandle Center we answer questions, solve problems, or meet needs identified by area clientele. The progress and results of this research are shared with area growers, processors, other ag professionals, and the general public during field days, clinics and workshops. The research data are published as reports, posters, and Extension publications, and various national and international journals.