The Northern Plains Agricultural Research Service is helping host two dryland field days highlighting research being conducted at farmsites near Froid and Sidney on Thursday and Friday, June 28th and 29th.This year’s lineup for the two tours includes several shared speakers, demonstration studies and other festivities, so if you have to miss one event, you can still catch much of the information at the other.
Field Day Talks:
Headlining both events is North Dakota State University Professor Jeff Stachler, who will discuss herbicide resistance in weeds. Although Dr. Stachler’s primary research area is weed control in sugarbeets – and in particular management of problematic weeds in Roundup Ready sugarbeet - his expertise carries over into other crops as well and includes research in confirmation, scouting and management of herbicide resistant weeds.
Also at both events are speakers representing the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Plant Materials Center in Bridger, MT. They will discuss the role of the Bridger Plant Materials Center in developing new plant solutions for the diverse ecosystems of Montana and Wyoming, including propagating threatened species and culturally significant plants, and reclaiming disturbed areas from mining, wildfire, and road construction. The Bridger facility is also working with Sidney and Miles City ARS researchers and others on a long-term study looking at the most effective Russian olive removal methods and prospects for revegetation. ARS scientists will also be discussing that research effort at both the Froid and Sidney Field Days.
Also available at both events is the Montana Dept. of Agriculture’s new Pesticide Container Recycling Truck. Technician Ron Ahlgren will be demonstrating the process at both Froid and Sidney, and producers are encouraged to bring in their CLEANED pesticide containers for recycling. Proper cleaning instructions are available at MDA’s website at http://agr.mt.gov/agr/Programs/Pesticides/Environmental/ContainerRecycling/index.html, or by calling or e-mailing Carli Lofing, at (406) 444-9615 or [email protected].
Other shared topics include: cover crop demonstration studies by both ARS and NRCS presenters, along with information on new oilseed crops, wheat stem sawfly management, and forage and soft white winter wheat trials. In addition, a representative from the new State Grain Lab in Plentywood, will be on hand to chat with tour participants and answer questions. Both events also include a presentation by Richland County Extension Agent Tim Fine on new Milestone herbicide label changes.
Pesticide points are pending for both events and meals are provided (supper at Froid and lunch at Sidney). Everyone welcome!
Field Day Times and Locations:
The annual Froid Research Farm Field Day is set for Thursday, June 28th at the farmsite located 8 miles north of Culbertson on MT Highway 16. Registration is at 1:00 pm. In addition to the program, the tour features a free steak dinner at 5:30 pm sponsored by the Sheridan and Roosevelt County conversation districts. Other event sponsors include the Sheridan and Roosevelt County Extension offices, and the USDA-ARS Northern Plains Agricultural Research Laboratory in Sidney.
The fourth annual Sidney “Dryland” Field Tour will be held Friday, June 29th, from 9 am to 12:30 pm at ARS’ Research Farm located about 4 miles north of Sidney along MT Highway 16. Take a left on County Rd. 129 and another left on County Rd. 346 to reach the farmsite. The event is sponsored by Richland County Extension and the USDA-ARS Research Lab in Sidney and concludes with a free lunch provided by MSU Extension.
For more information on either of these events, contact Beth Redlin at 406-433-9427.
Reader Comments(0)