Agronomy

The agronomy major provides specialization in managing field crop systems and includes learning experiences in crop and soil management, plant genetics and physiology. You will gain skills and knowledge needed to optimize and diversify crop systems to preserve soil and water resources while growing food, fiber and fuel for the world. Our faculty are dedicated to helping students reach their professional goals.

The Nebraska Difference

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Individualized Advising

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Undergraduate Research Opportunities

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Hands-On Collaborative Learning

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Program Features

Career Opportunities 

Graduates pursue careers as agronomists, co-op and grain elevator managers, crop consultants, farmers, plant breeders and geneticists, field and lab researchers, soil conservationists and technical and sales representatives. Agronomy alumni enter in-demand fields with competitive salaries in a career field they love.

Local and Global Experiences

Students complete two internships before graduation, building professional networks and gaining hands-on experience in their field. Many students also participate in global experiences through UNL’s study abroad programs.

Scholarships 

Scholarships are available to agronomy students at all stages, including incoming first-year and transfer students. The Department of Agronomy and Horticulture awards more than $170,000 in scholarships each year.

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Notable Courses

In the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, we pride ourselves on providing hands-on, experiential learning through our lectures and labs—in the field and the classroom!
Agronomic Plant Science Laboratory (PLAS 132)

Development and morphology of monocot and dicot plants produced for grain, forage and grazing. Evaluation of seeds, grains and forage quality for agronomically important plants.

Resource-Efficient Crop Management (PLAS 204)

The integration of crop and soil science, plant breeding, climatology and integrated pest management disciplines to develop and evaluate crop management strategies.

Principles of Soil Management (PLAS 269)

Current state-of-knowledge of soil and water management. Topics include soil management practices such as conservation tillage, cropping systems, water management and irrigation and soil health.

Forage Crop and Pasture Management (PLAS 240)

Plant identification and selection, seeding, fertilization, irrigation, forage quality and utilization, hay and silage preservation and grazing management.

Crop Management Strategies (PLAS 405)

Application, expansion and integration of principles from agricultural, economic and social sciences into systems-level development and management of cropping systems.

Site Specific Crop Management (PLAS 431)

Principles and concepts as well as hardware and software of site-specific management. Evaluation of geographic information systems for crop production practices.

The Science of Plant Variety Selection (PLAS 310)

Strategies for interpreting variety and hybrid testing data to match production goals and meet management challenges and priorities of the farmer.

Huskers Do Big Things

Internships

  • Syngenta, Corn Production Internship
  • BASF, Technical Service Intern
  • Hahn Farms, Hybrid Researcher
  • Scientific Crop Advisory, Crop Scouting
  • Helena Chemical, Marketing Intern
  • KC Consulting, Crop Consultant

Careers

  • Stuart Fertilizer, Agronomist
  • Vrbka Ag Solutions, Sales Agronomist
  • NRCS, Soil Conservationist
  • University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Research Technician

Graduate Schools

  • University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Ph.D. in Plant Pathology
  • Iowa State University, Master of Plant Breeding
  • Montana State University, Master of Science in Plant Science
  • Kansas State University, Ph.D. in Genetics
  • Oklahoma State University, Ph.D. in Animal Science

Outside the Classroom

Have Questions? We're Here to Help

If you have questions about the Agronomy major or navigating the application process, contact us.

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Contact Name
Christine Barta
Contact Title
Plant Systems Learner and Partnership Engagement Coordinator
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