Nebraska Workshops Help Manage Pests

By Scout Nelson

Nebraska Extension is preparing to host its annual Confronting Cropping Challenges (CCC) workshops this December, offering timely information and practical solutions for issues faced during the 2025 growing season.

The program is designed to help producers better understand current cropping challenges and develop stronger plans for the upcoming 2026 season. Now in its ninth year, the CCC program continues to receive positive feedback for its straightforward, research-based approach to problem-solving.

The 2025 sessions will focus on several key topics that affected northeast Nebraska fields during the past season. These include soybean defoliation, volunteer corn, Palmer amaranth, and white mold—issues that shape productivity and required careful management decisions. Each session provides research updates, management tips, and insights to support more effective crop planning for the year ahead.

The CCC workshops also offer an option for participants whose private pesticide applicator licenses expire in 2026. Those who complete the full workshop may renew their certification immediately following the program. Nebraska Extension notes that attending in 2025 will not shorten the length of the certification cycle; renewed licenses remain valid for the full term.

Workshops take place from 1 to 5 p.m. at the following locations:

• Wednesday, Dec. 3 — Osceola, Polk County Fairgrounds
• Tuesday, Dec. 9 — West Point, Nielsen Community Center
• Wednesday, Dec. 10 — Albion, Boone County Fairgrounds
• Thursday, Dec. 11 — Bloomfield, Bloomfield City Community Center

Those seeking initial pesticide certification must attend separate training sessions held from January through April of 2026, as the CCC workshops offer recertification only.

Registration costs vary by participation level. The CCC program alone is $10, while the combination of the program plus recertification is $70, which includes the standard state training fee. Nebraska Extension encourages participants to register early and reach out to their local Extension office for additional details.

The CCC program continues to play an important role in helping producers understand evolving cropping challenges, adapt their management strategies, and strengthen their readiness for the next growing season.

Photo Credit: istock-fotokostic