Saginaw Valley Research and Extension Center

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Established 1971 (relocated in 2009)

Most of the dry bean and sugar beet production in Michigan is located in the Thumb and Saginaw Valley areas. Michigan is the No. 1 producer of black beans, the No. 2 producer of all dry beans and the No. 4 producer of sugar beets in the country. Research at the center has allowed Michigan producers to be national leaders in sugar beet and dry bean production, offering growers the latest information on crop management and tillage techniques, new variety trials, and pest and weed control with minimal environmental impact. In addition to dry bean and sugar beet research, studies at the 310-acre site explore other important rotational crops including corn, wheat and soybeans.

Enviro-Weather Report

News

MSU AgBioResearch, Extension to host in-person 2022 field days

Published on May 27, 2022
From June to September, MSU AgBioResearch and MSU Extension researchers and outreach specialists will be presenting at field days across the state, covering topics from hops and wheat to dairy and regenerative agriculture.
Michigan State University to host dry bean and sugarbeet field day

Published on July 28, 2021
MSU and industry researchers will discuss current issues impacting dry beans and sugarbeets at the Saginaw Valley Research and Extension Center in Frankenmuth, Michigan, on Tuesday, Aug. 24 from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
MSU greenhouses: Infrastructure that leads to innovation

Published on April 29, 2021
Greenhouses are an invaluable resource for faculty and students, but to maintain MSU’s leadership in plant science, upgrades are critical.
MSU virtual vegetable trial reviews for Saginaw Bay area

Published on July 16, 2020
Michigan State University Extension and MSU AgBioResearch held a virtual vegetable trial review for growers in the Thumb region July 29.
Managing disease for better growth, storage and processing of sugar beets and potatoes

Published on July 1, 2020
Jaime Willbur, assistant professor in the Michigan State University Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences, analyzes the impact of pathogens to prolong the health of key Michigan crops.