Professor, Soil and Nutrient Management

Panhandle Research and Extension Center, 4502 Avenue I, Scottsbluff, NE 69361
Phone:  308-632-1372.  Fax: 308-632-1365.
E-mail:  ghergert1@unl.edu

DEGREES:

  • B.S., Agronomy, Colorado State University, 1967
  • M.S., Agronomy, Colorado State University, 1970
  • Ph.D., Agronomy, Cornell University, 1975

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

  • Assistant Professor of Agronomy, University of Nebraska, 1975-1980
  • Associate Professor of Agronomy, University of Nebraska, 1980-1988
  • Professor of Agronomy, University of Nebraska, 1988 to present
  • Graduate Faculty Fellow University of Nebraska

 RESEARCH INTERESTS:

  • Soil and nutrient management.
  • Past research concentrated on nitrogen management in irrigated and dryland systems (conventional and no-till) and limited irrigation no-till cropping systems.
  • Current research efforts focus on soil and fertilizer management to improve crop production efficiency for major and minor crops in western Nebraska (corn, dry beans, winter wheat, brassicas, sugar beets, chicory) including research on limited irrigation no-till cropping systems.
  • Other research interests include manure management.

MAJOR PROJECT ACTIVITIES:

Research and extension efforts to improve crop yields through improved nutrient management on high pH western NE soils including manure management. Major emphasis will be working with the PHREC team on adapting cropping systems to limited surface and subsurface irrigation supplies for the future.

EXTENSION INTERESTS:

  • Current efforts focus on soil and fertilizer management to improve crop production efficiency for major and minor crops in western Nebraska
  • Interests in soil salinity management and irrigation water quality
  • Leading a major demonstration project on limited irrigation no-till conservation cropping systems in the Pumpkin Creek Watershed
  • Comprehensive Nutrient Management Planning and manure management

RECENT SELECTED PUBLICATIONS 2009-2010:

Research

  • Adamchuk, V.I., R.B. Ferguson, and G.W. Hergert. 2010. Soil heterogeneity and crop growth. In: Precision Crop Protection - the Challenge and Use of Heterogeneity. Chapter 1, pgs. 3-16. E.C. Oerke, R. Gerhards, G. Menz, and R.A. Sikora, editors. Springer, New York, N.Y.
  • Cattanach, A. and G.W. Hergert. 2009. Nutritional Disorders. In R.M. Harveson, L.E.,Hanson, and G.L Hein, (ed.) Compendium of Beet Diseases and Pests. Am. Phytopath. Soc. pp73-80.
  • Dobermann, A., C.S. Wortmann, R.B. Ferguson, G.W. Hergert, C.A. Shapiro, D.D. Tarkalson, D. Walters. 2010. Nitrogen Response and Economics for Irrigated Corn in Nebraska. Agron. J. 103:67-75.
  • Lyon, D.J., A.D. Pavlista, G.W. Hergert, R.N. Klein, C.A. Shapiro, S. Knezevic, S.C. Mason. L.A. Nelson, D.D. Baltensperger, R.W. Elmore, M.F. Vigil. A.J. Schlegel, B.L. Olson, and R.M. Aiken. 2009. Skip-row planting patterns stabilize corn grain yields in the central Great Plains. [Online].Crop Manage. doi:10.1094/CM-2009-0224-02-RS. Available at http://www.plantmanagementnetwork.org/cm/. (Verified 25 Feb., 2009).
  • Martin, D.L., R.J. Supalla, C.L. Thompson, B.P. McMullen, G.W. Hergert, and P.A. Burgener. 2010. Advances in Deficit Irrigation Management. Fifth National Decennial Irrigation Conference. ASABE and the Irrigation Association. Phoenix, Arizona. Dec., 2010.
  • Pavlista, A.D., D.K. Santra, T.A. Isbell, D.D. Baltensperger, G.W. Hergert, J. Krall, A. Mesbach, J. Johnson, M. O'Neill, R. Aiken, and A. Berrada. 2011. Adaptability of Irrigated Spring Canola to the US High Plains. Industrial Crops and Products. (Online: doi:10.1016/j.indcrop.2010.10.005)
  • Pavlista, A.D., G.W. Hergert, D.D. Baltensperger, and S. Knox. 2010. Reducing Height and Lodging of Winter Wheat. Crop Management. (Online: doi: 10.1094/CM-2010-0806-01-RS)
  • Pavlista, A.D., D.J. Lyon, D.D. Baltensperger, and G.W. Hergert. 2010. Grain Yield Components as Affected by Planting Dryland Maize in a Double-Skip Row Pattern. Journal of Crop Improvement 24:1-11. (Online: doi: 10.1080/15427520903565307)
  • Sharpley, Andrew N., John P. Schmidt, and Gary W. Hergert. 2007. Nutrient Management Practices. pp149-194. In M. Schnepf and C. Cox (ed.) Environmental Effects of Conservation on Cropland-The Status of Our Knowledge. Soil and Water Cons. Society. Ankeny, IA.
  • Wortmann, C.S., A.R. Dobermann, R.B. Ferguson, G.W. Hergert, C.A. Shapiro, D.D. Tarkalson, D. Walters. 2009. High-yielding corn response to applied phosphorus, potassium, and sulfur in Nebraska. Agron J. 101: 546-555.
  • Wortmann,C.S., D.D. Tarkalson, C.A. Shapiro, A.R. Dobermann, R.B. Ferguson, G.W. Hergert, and D. Walters. 2010. Cropping system effect on nitrogen use efficiency of irrigated corn in Nebraska. Agron. J. 103:76-84.

Extension

  • Fenster, C. R., G. W. Hergert, D. J. Lyon, P. A. Burgener, G. L. Stone, and D. D. Baltensperger. 2010. Breaking the ground: a century of farming in the Panhandle of Nebraska 1910-2010 (RB344)
  • Ferguson, R.B. and G.W. Hergert. 2009. Soil Sampling for Precision Agriculture. EC154.
  • Hergert, Gary,W., and Timothy M. Shaver. 2010. Fertlizing Winter Wheat. Nebraska Extension Circular EC143. Online: http://www.ianrpubs.unl.edu/sendIt/ec143.pdf.
  • Hergert, G.W. and D.K. Santra. Fertilizing Proso Millet. 2009. NebGuide G1945.
  • Schild, Jim, R. Gaussoin, and G.W. Hergert. 2009. Fertilizer Use in Home Landscapes. NebGuide G1941.
  • Shapiro, C.A., R.B. Ferguson, G.W. Hergert, C.S. Wortmann, and D.T. Walters. 2009. Fertilizer suggestions for corn. EC117
  • Shapiro, C.A. and G.W. Hergert. 2009. Soil Fertility Considerations for land coming out of Conservation Reservation Program (CRP). G1970
  • Vigil, M.F., G.W. Hergert and D.B. Mengel. 2009. Nutrient Management, in, High Plains Sunflower Production Handbook. Regional EC MF-2384
  • Yonts, C.D., D.J. Lyon, J.A. Smith, R.M. Harveson, G.W. Hergert, G.L.Hein, and D. Santra. Producing Irrigated Winter Wheat. EC731.

Publication Record (total numbers)

  • Books or other publications edited - 1
  • Chapters of books - 12
  • Technical papers, refereed - 41
  • Technical papers, non-refereed - 38
  • Non-technical papers - 112
  • Invited lectures, seminars, symposia - 37
  • Other - Abstracts - 89; - Extension meetings - 717


INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE:

  • MIAC Morocco project: 1983 and 1985, consulting on wheat prodution and soil ferility in project region (Casablanca-Safi-Marakesh) and consultation on setting up a soil testing laboratory at Settat.
  • Int. Atomic Energy Commission, Lima Peru and altiplano area. 1988. Consulting on feasibility of winter wheat production at high altitudes at the equator.
  • ACREA. 1997. Agrentine private consulting-extension group. Consulting on irrigation and N management for new center pivot developments from Cordoba to Tandil.
  • IIRB (International Sugar Beet Organization). 2010. Conference presenter and tour of European sugar beet production research. 

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS:

  • American Society of Agronomy (member and Fellow)
  • Soil Science Society of America (member and Fellow)
  • Council for Agricultural Science and Technology
  • International Society of Soil Science

MEMBERSHIP IN HONORARY ACADEMIC SOCIETIES

  • Sigma Xi, Omicron Delta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi, Gamma Sigma Delta

HONORS AND AWARDS

  • 1986--USDA Unit Award for Superior Service. For "exemplary leadership in the scientific use of fertilizers by means of calibrated correlated soil tests to reduce costs and potential environmental hazards". Team Members: F. Anderson, R. Ferguson, G. Hergert, E. Penas, C. Shapiro, R. Wiese.
  • 1990--University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension Outstanding Extension Specialist 1996--Fellow, American Society of Agronomy
  • 1999--Fellow, Soil Science Society of Agronomy
  • 2008--American Society of Agronomy Agronomic Educational Materials Contest Certificate of Excellence Award publication > 16 p: Producing and Marketing Proso Millet in the Great Plains.
  • 2009'-- Nebraska Hall of Agricultural Achievement induction
  • 2010--Great Plains Soil Fertility Leadership Award. Great Plains Soil Fertility Conference for timely and innovative soil fertility related contributions leading to increased profitability for Great Plains agriculture.