Hackathon

NUE Workshop Hackathon 2025 – Graduate Student Team Competition

Overview

Optimizing nitrogen (N) fertilizer rates and plant population density remains a major challenge in corn production. These two management factors are among the most influential in determining yield, yet their interactions—particularly across different hybrids—can be highly complex. Addressing this challenge requires strong data science skills: cleaning, modeling, and interpreting agronomic data to guide more precise input recommendations.

For this competition, university teams (2 to 4 students per team) will have 13 days just prior to the workshop to develop models and insights using a dataset common to all teams. Your solution will be evaluated based on agronomic logic, statistical rigor, and clarity of presentation. Teams are encouraged to think creatively and explore different modeling approaches. New and innovative ideas grounded in sound scientific principles will receive higher scores.

Hackathon Challenge – 2025

Your team will receive a dataset from a Central Iowa field experiment conducted in 2020 to explore interactions among nitrogen (N) rate, plant population density, and corn hybrid on grain yield. The factorial experiment included four hybrids, five N rates (0, 60, 120, 180, and 260 kg N ha⁻¹), and five plant population levels (4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 plants m⁻²). The dataset includes the average yield (Mg ha⁻¹) of replicated treatment combinations.

The data you will receive is a subset of the data used in the analysis within the following manuscript: King, K.A., Archontoulis, S.V., Baum, M.E. and Edwards, J.W., 2024. From a point to a range of optimum estimates for maize plant density and nitrogen rate recommendations. Agronomy Journal, 116(2), pp.598-611.

Your objectives are to:

  • Estimate the economically optimal nitrogen rate (EONR) and plant densities (EOPD) across hybrids.
  • Identify the combination of N rate and planting density that optimizes yield and profitability across hybrids.
  • When estimating EONR and EOPD assume a corn price of $196 Mg⁻¹ and an N cost of $1.10 kg⁻¹?
  • Evaluate how EONR and EOPD differ between hybrids?
  • Consider how this information might be used to improve nitrogen use efficiency and hybrid-specific management recommendations?

Teams should clearly describe and justify their modeling approach provide visualizations of yield response patterns, and interpret findings in the context of practical nitrogen management. While replicate-level error is not available in the dataset, teams are encouraged to use creative techniques to explore trends and estimate optima.

Oral Presentation

Each team will present their approach and findings during the Hackathon session at the NUE Workshop:

  • 10-minute oral presentation, followed by brief Q&A
  • Presentations should summarize your modeling process, key findings, and management implications
  • Visuals and code-supported insights are encouraged

Rules

  • Participants are expected to follow an honor system. This includes not asking for or receiving help outside the team (e.g., graduate student advisors, professors, or other students).
  • Teams may use publicly available data (e.g., weather data, SSURGO, Google images, or county yield information) as long as the source is cited and freely accessible to all. Paid or proprietary data sources (e.g., paid satellite imagery) may not be used.
  • This dataset is for use in this competition only. It may not be used for publication, educational materials, or other analyses.
  • Privately sharing code or data outside of teams is not permitted.

How to Participate

Review this Hackathon section with all competition details. Complete the Hackathon registration form by the deadline. Each member of the team who will attend the workshop must register for the workshop separately. Team members are also welcome to participate in the individual poster competition.

Informative Meeting – July 23

An informational meeting will be held on July 23 at 10am Central time for all graduate students interested in the Hackathon. At least one member of each team must attend this meeting. After the meeting, teams will receive the dataset, full instructions, and guidelines to complete the challenge. You may withdraw your participation following the meeting if you choose.

Hackathon Awards

Awards will be given to the top three teams based on scoring by a panel of judges:

  • 1st Place – $400
  • 2nd Place – $300
  • 3rd Place – $200

Winners will be announced on August 6 at 11:15 a.m. during the workshop. Members of winning teams will be asked to complete paperwork prior to leaving the event in order to receive their awards.