On-Farm Research Field Day in Southwest Michigan
August 23, 2023 8:00AM - 2:00PM
Registration Deadline: August 20, 2023 - 12:00AM
70811 Lakeview Road, Sturgis MI 49091
Contact: Eric Anderson at eander32@msu.edu or 269-359-0565
This field day is a long-standing event held in St. Joseph County highlighting on-farm research efforts of MSU Extension specialists and educators in the region. Topics include important issues that farmers in southwest Michigan face in terms of agronomy, pest management, farm safety, and environmental stewardship. The event has been offered free to attendees over the years due to the generous support from the Michigan Soybean Committee, and additional funding this year is being provided by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Project (Grant No. NR213A750013G015). Farmers, agribusiness professionals, agency staff, and those interested in agriculture are welcome to attend.
The day begins at 8 a.m. with check-in and a light breakfast, and the first educational session begins at 8:30 a.m. Lunch will be provided by Brewhouse BBQ in Sturgis (need we say more?), and the day will conclude by 2 p.m. BONUS: As the topic of on-farm safety and combine fires will be addressed, we will be giving away 3 fire extinguishers during a drawing at the end of the meeting! 1 PARP Credit available.
Agenda:
| Check in, Light breakfast | ||
| Importance of Irrigation System Evaluation | This presentation will discuss the importance of evaluating irrigation system uniformity to maximize water use efficiency while minimizing nutrient and pesticide runoff and leaching. We will also share case studies on improved water use efficiency resulting from increased irrigation system uniformity. | Younsuk Dong, MSU Irrigation Specialist |
| Using Soil Moisture Sensors to Improve Water Use Efficiency | Presentation on using soil moisture sensing technology to improve irrigation water use efficiency reduce risk of over-watering that may lead to increased disease pressure and movement of pesticides and nutrients toward groundwater and some preliminary results from a demonstration conducted in southwest Michigan on corn and soybeans. | Brenden Kelley, MSU Research Assistant |
| End-of-Season Irrigation Management | When to stop irrigating - the decision every irrigator has to deal with. Stop irrigating too soon and run the risk of low test weight corn and small upper pod sizes in soybeans. Applying too much water at the end of the season runs the risk of pushing residual nitrogen or pesticide residues towards groundwater and it is a waste of water, energy and money. We will explore methods of estimating crop water use and best management practices to finish the irrigation season. |
Lyndon Kelley, MSU and Purdue Extension Irrigation Educator |
| 15 Years of Michigan Soybean On-Farm Trials | Summary of some of the key findings from the Michigan On-Farm Research Program and how this information can improve profitability. Findings include evaluating crop production practices and pest management products. | Mike Staton, MSU Extension Soybean Senior Educator |
| Vole Management in Soybean Update | Summary of on-farm research in soybean investigating the management of voles by terminating cover crops with herbicides at different timings. | Eric Anderson, MSU Extension Field Crops Educator |
| Tar Spot, White Mold and Other Diseases in 2023 | An update on the progression of tar spot and white mold in 2023 and a summary of current research findings on managing these diseases. | Marty Chilvers, MSU Extension Field Crops Pathologist |
| Lessons from the LTER at the Kellogg Biological Station | Over the past 30 years, the Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) site at the Kellogg Biological Station has studied interactions among plants, microbes, insects, management, and the environment to learn how agriculture can provide both high yields and positive environmental outcomes. This talk will focus on what 30 years of no-till research at this site has shown so far. | Christine Charles, MSU Extension Regenerative Agriculture Educator |
| Lunch | ||
| Strip Tillage: A Long-term Perspective | Sharing experiences with strip tillage over the past two decades in corn and soybean production. | Henry Miller, Farmer |
| MAEAP Update and Focus on Farm Safety | Summary of the MAEAP program with an emphasis on evaluating farms for safety. | Emily Haluda, MAEAP Technician, Cass County |
| Fire! Fire! Combine Safety and Fire Prevention | Hands-on presentation of how to avoid combine fires and what to do if one occurs. | Rich Baker, Farmer, Burr Oak Volunteer Firefighter |
| Credits, Evaluation, Fire Extinguisher Drawing and Adjourn |
CREDITS: 3 RUP credits, 5 CCA credits and MAEAP Phase 1 credit have been requested
COST: Cost is FREE due to generous funding from the Michigan Soybean Committee and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Project (grant #NR213A750013G015)
REGISTRATION: Pre-registration is required by Aug. 20 to reserve a meal. Walk-ins will be accepted but lunch is not guaranteed.
Registration for this event has closed.
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