The Nemaha NRD would like to congratulate Daryl Obermeyer for receiving the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts' Outstanding Soil Conservationist Award! 

Daryl Obermeyer and his wife Jackie have operated a cow/calf and rotational cropping system that includes cover crops for several decades. Daryl is a devout no-tiller and has been since the early 80’s. His system of crop rotation has always included some wheat on the more highly erodible land to maintain higher residue amounts following harvest. He used cover crops in his operation before most people had even heard about them. Having cattle, Daryl could not only see the advantage of having green on his fields but realized the added benefits from having supplemental grazing for his cattle.

Daryl maintains conservation systems on his farms, including terraces, waterways, field borders, filter strips, and some underground outlets. He is intentional in how he plants and sprays his fields to reduce erosion. Daryl takes the time to ensure that he does not plant up and over the tops of any terraces, backing up to field edges and along waterways. He additionally sprays along the contour to avoid ruts up and down the hill. Daryl actively manages the application timing and rate of fertilizer put on his fields to protect susceptible groundwater resources in his area. He also keeps close track of his soil amendments and has utilized to the Hainey Test to review microbial activity of his soil. He has collaborated with fellow soil-health focused producers on both biological and chemical testing protocols and participated in advanced training on biological nutrients. He is an advocate for changing crop rotations and increasing nutrient efficiency. Cover crops are used on about half of his cropland each year. To further his conservation efforts, Daryl has taken cropland with potential erosion issues or that could benefit wildlife and placed it into the Conservation Reserve Program.

Daryl initiated a NRCS Soil Health Demonstration Site on his farm and volunteered to be a part of Nebraska Extension’s On-Farm Research Program. 2021 marked the completion of five years of data collection from a research project investigating the benefits of cover crop types in a three-crop rotation. During each of the five years of the research period, Daryl plotted out a large field into his rotation and then took extra time to plant, harvest, and drill particular cover crop seed mixes on the exact same strips through the rotation. The extra effort, time, and work doing yield tests during harvest were all taken in stride because of his interest in finding out how these things could improve farming, the soils, and his livestock. Daryl continues to be involved with new Nebraska Extension, On-Farm Research. In 2022 his farm was the site for the Soybean Management Field Days.

The Obermeyer’s beef herd is predominantly Semmental. Their pastures are rotationally grazed in a manner to leave good grass for the benefit of wildlife and to maintain good forage health. The land around the Obermeyer’s home had been in the care of Daryl’s family for many years and it shows.

Beyond taking pride in his farming operation Daryl is an outstanding advocate for sharing information with others in the agricultural community. Daryl has given almost 50 years to reporting the weather for Southeast Nebraska. He has given his time to serve on the soybean board, is a 20-year school board member, and serves as chairman for the Nemaha County Extension board. He hosted field days each year at his farm and attended the annual results days to talk about his test plots. Daryl has given so much back to his community in volunteerism to help educate not only on farming but on being a part of a community. He currently serves as the parish vice president at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Auburn where he has been a lifelong member. He works to inform young adults and children about the importance of conservation and agriculture in Nemaha County and beyond.