MSU Extension Beginning Farmer

Field Crops

• Field Crops Webinar: Opportunities and Challenges of Disease Management

  Plant Pathologists Marty Chilvers from MSU and Albert Tenuta from OMAFRA discuss the opportunities and challenges of disease management in field crops.

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  How insects survive cold: The potential effect of a mild winter

  Published on March 14, 2023
  Large insect populations are possible this year, but many factors determine overwintering survival and success.

• Field Crops Webinar: Integrated Wildlife Management in Michigan Field Crops

  Join James DeDecker, MSU Director of Upper Peninsula Research and Extension Center, Amberly Hauger, USDA Wildlife Biologist, and Colter Lubben, Michigan DNR Wildlife Technician to discuss how you can minimize wildlife’s effects on your farm.

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  The Anatomy of a Soil Test Report

  Published on March 9, 2023
  A summary of how to understand a soil test report to help you best understand and analyze the results to make effective farm management and soil fertility decisions.

• Field Crops Webinar: Buying and Renting Agricultural Land

  A discussion of recent trends in land and rental markets. The webinar will provide data from the USDA, the Federal Reserve Banks, and the Michigan Land Values Survey to give an accurate assessment of current market factors affecting this trend. Gammans and Zhang discuss how investor demand and non-agricultural uses, such as energy production or recreation, affect land values. They also explore land rents and how various factors may affect current and future rental rates for different types of agricultural land.

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  Mentors matter for new farmers

  Published on February 28, 2023
  Michigan Sustainable Farm Mentors program connects 42 beginning and aspiring farmers with experienced farmers.

• Field Crops Webinar: Increasing Profits Through On-Farm Research

  David Bullock from the University of Illinois and Elizabeth Hawkins from The Ohio State University discuss “Increasing Profits through On-farm Research.” On-farm research is a great way to improve the profitability of a farm operation. Many farmers are already making comparisons to aid in decision making. Hawkins discusses how to get started with on-farm research and best practices for getting the most out of your data. She also shares some opportunities for getting involved and resources for learning about research other farmers are conducting.

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  Field Crops Webinar Series session focuses on increasing profits through on-farm research

  Published on February 22, 2023
  Learn how to set up on-farm experiments to get useful data and how to work with the data during the Field Crops Webinar Series on Feb. 27.

• Field Crops Webinar: Agronomic Considerations for the 2023 Growing Season

  Manni Singh and Laura Lindsey discuss agronomic considerations for managing the 2023 growing season for major commodities grown in Michigan including soybean and corn. The past few growing seasons have brought many weather-related challenges as well as opportunities to corn and soybean growers in Michigan and across the region. This presentation will focus on management strategies that can lead to increased yield and reduced input costs while also minimizing production risks, ultimately resulting in improved farm profitability.

• Field Crops Webinar: Soil Health

  Cates and Hatlewick will talk about how biology works to build soil structure, highlight how tillage can destroy it all, and describe a few creative ways to reduce or eliminate tillage from producers in SW MN.

• Field Crops Webinar: Crop Fertility

  Soil fertility specialists Kurt Steinke from MSU and Jim Camberato from Purdue discuss P and K strategies considering expensive fertilizer, where sulfer fertilizer might be needed and how much, and the performance of selected biological products.

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  New video series shares tips for farmers selling to local restaurants, retailers and institutions

  Published on January 24, 2023
  Hear insights from 14 farmers, food entrepreneurs and marketing experts.

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  Third annual MI Ag Ideas to Grow With virtual conference focuses on food and animal production

  Published on January 19, 2023
  The MI Ag Ideas to Grow With virtual conference offers an array of free educational sessions on food and animal production from February 27 through March 10.

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  In the Weeds podcast highlights key findings from Kellogg Biological Station research

  Published on January 19, 2023
  Agriculture is an intricate system of inputs and outputs. Come listen to the “In the Weeds” podcast as we explore the complexities.

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  Clearing up nutrient unknowns on In the Weeds podcast series

  Published on January 19, 2023
  “In the Weeds” podcast navigates the uncertain waters of the fertilizer markets with Kurt Steinke, MSU Extension soil fertility specialist.

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  Southeast Michigan Crop and Pest Management Update meeting on February 7

  Published on January 17, 2023
  The Crop and Pest Management Update in southeast Michigan will help growers and agribusiness professionals prepare for the 2023 growing season.

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  Farm Business Sessions Focus on beginning manager skills and farm succession

  Published on January 4, 2023
  The MI Ag Ideas to Grow With conference offers an array of educational sessions on farm development, management and succession.

• Toolkit for starting a great farm mentorship program

  Published on December 21, 2022
  Farm educators can find templates to connect beginning farmers with mentors.

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  Vole management on-farm study reveals surprising levels of soybean damage

  Published on December 8, 2022
  An on-farm study conducted in southwest Michigan in 2022 and funded by the Michigan Soybean Committee provided insights into vole feeding in soybean fields.

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  Grain marketing strategies to consider for 2023

  Published on December 6, 2022
  Identifying tools that match your market expectations.