Want to know more about ag research in this area? And the results? Have questions you’d like answered on crops and cropping systems, weeds, and diseases, or other issues impacting your farm or ranch?
Here’s your opportunity! Scientists from the MonDak area’s three ag research centers in Sidney, MT and Williston, ND are hosting the second annual MonDak Ag Research Summit at the Richland County Event Center in Sidney on Wednesday Nov. 14, from 9 am to 3 pm (MT).
Researchers from the MSU Eastern Ag Research Center (EARC) in Sidney, MT; the NDSU Williston Research Extension Center (WREC) in Williston, ND, and the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) facility, also in Sidney, will provide updates on research relevant to local operations. In addition, more than two dozen posters outlining additional research from the three labs will also be on display, with the researchers present to answer questions during a morning poster session. Also participating in the poster session will be Sidney Sugars representatives to discuss that entity’s free lime giveaway program.
The day begins with special guest, Dr. Brian Jenks, a long-time NDSU weed scientist with the North Central Research Extension Center in Minot, ND, who will address weed management issues surrounding horseweed, narrowleaf hawksbeard, kochia, Russian thistle and others. Other morning talks include:
• A rangeland and aquatic weed update – John Gaskin, USDA ARS
• Integrating biocontrol into your weed management plan – Natalie West, USDA ARS
• A fungus bait formulation for grasshopper, Mormon cricket control – Stefan Jaronski, USDA ARS
• The effect of tillage and rotation on rhizoctonia root and crown rot – Audrey Kalil, WREC
• Poster session (with researchers standing by to answer questions)
• Tillage vs no-till effect on corn, soybean, barley and sugarbeet yield (Nesson) and water use efficiency under irrigated conditions - Bart Stevens, USDA ARS
• Economics and soil health of sustainable cropping systems – Don Tanaka, WREC
• Dryland pea production and water use affected by tillage, crop rotation, and cultural practice – Upendra Sainju, USDA ARS
Lunch is provided courtesy of the Northern Pulse Growers Association (NPGA). Brian Gion, NPGA Marketing Director, is the featured luncheon speaker and will be providing an update on the pulse industry and the challenges it’s facing.
In the afternoon program, researchers from all three facilities will participate in small group listening sessions focused on various disciplines including: soil health, weeds, insects, crop diseases, irrigated cropping systems, and dryland cropping systems/rangeland. The scientists are particularly interested in hearing about what farmers and ranchers are seeing in their operations and what issues they think need to be addressed in future research. Those small group discussions will run concurrently with additional afternoon research talks, including:
• Kyla Splichal, WREC horticulture specialist, will present on high tunnel use and construction.
• Brett Allen, USDA ARS, will discuss cover crops as replacement for fallow in semi-arid durum cropping systems.
• Yesuf Mohammed, EARC, will discuss pulse crop variety selection and performance.
• Justin Jacobs, WREC, will discuss spring wheat and durum irrigated varieties.
Participants will be able to move freely between discussion tables and concurrent topics according to their individual interests.
The MonDak Ag Research Summit is free, however, participants are encouraged to preregister for the event by Friday, Nov. 9 to get a head count for lunch. Note, however, that preregistration is not required. To preregister on-line go to https://tinyurl.com/mondaksummit18. To register by phone or if you have questions, call Beth Redlin at 406-433-2020.
For those attending the Summit, MT pesticide applicator points and Certified Crop Advisor CEU’s are pending.
Sponsors for this event in addition to the Northern Pulse Growers Association include: the City of Williston, Sidney Sugars, Inc., Montana-Dakota Beetgrowers, Agri-Industries in Sidney and Williston, Cargill in Great Falls, Dawson County Implement in Glendive, and Tri-County Implement, Inc. in Sidney.
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