Orr Agricultural Center to host Agronomy Field Day
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By DAVID CAMPHOUSE
University of Illinois Research Specialist and Orr Center Farm Manager Luke Merritt announced that the Orr Center would hold its annual field day on Wednesday, July 19, from 8:30-11:30 a.m.
According to Merritt the field day will allow farmers and crop advisors to learn about cutting edge research being conducted at the Orr Center, as well as other research being conducted by the University of Illinois.
“It’s a great opportunity for crop producers in Western Illinois to see the research taking place at the Orr Center,” Merritt said. “They will also learn about new management strategies they can use on their property. It’s all very relevant and pretty useful information.”
A topic to be covered in depth this year is related to on-farm cover crop usage.
“The research on cover crops will appeal to both crop and livestock producers looking for different ways to manage their land through cover crop use,” Merritt said.
“We’ll be discussing a long-term trial where we are looking at different clover planting dates and varieties, and looking at different cereal rye seeding rates and planting dates. We want to see how those different variables could affect the tonnage we’re getting from that cover crop.”
Merritt said that the field day would also be an opportunity for local producers and crop advisors to meet new University of Illinois Extension Agronomist Dr. Giovani Preza Fontes.
“Giovani will be talking about using biologicals for nitrogen management,” Merritt said. “That’s where healthy microbes are introduced in a foliar application, in furrow, or as a seed treatment.”
Another important topic affecting Western Illinois farmers is soybean red crown rot.
“That was a disease discovered in Pike County fields about three years ago,” Merrit said. “Dr. Bradley will let us know what is new with red crown rot, and talk about strategies to mitigate and manage the disease.”
Certified Crop Advisors will have the opportunity to earn continuing education units by attending the field day.
“We offer the CEUs, so our local advisors can stay current,” Merritt said.
Registration for the field day will start in the JWCC Agricultural Sciences Complex at 8:30 a.m. with wagon tours starting at 9:00 a.m. Presentations will be made outdoors through plot tours on the farm. Audience questions and discussion will be welcomed. A meal will be provided following the tour.
The JWCC Agricultural Sciences Complex is located on State Hwy. 104, approximately four miles northwest of Perry. The address is 37804 State Hwy. 104, Baylis, Ill. 62314.
An RSVP is preferred, but not required. Attendees may RSVP by email at [email protected] or by calling (217) 236-4911.
A complete list of presentation topics and speakers is as follows:
ESA, EPA, WPS, REI, Four Points… Whose Environment is Being Protected?
• Dr. Aaron Hager
Update on Red Crown Rot Disease in Soybean
• Dr. Carl Bradley
What Can We Expect from the 2023 Corn and Soybean Crops and Can Management Affect That?
• Dr. Emerson Nafziger
Practical N Management – What Research Trials are Telling Us
• Dr. Giovani Preza Fontes
Timing is Everything: The Impact of Cover Crop Planting Date
• Nathan Johanning
Insect Management Update – Above and Below Ground Bt Traits
• Dr. Nick Seiter
