The NDSU Extension Service, in cooperation with the University of Minnesota Extension Service, will provide educational programming during the Big Iron Farm Show at the Red River Valley Fairgrounds in West Fargo. The event runs Sept. 15-17, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., each day in the Red River Farm Network tent adjacent to the Red River Valley Agricultural Building.
Programming includes educational displays, formal presentations and field demonstrations.
Carl Pedersen, NDSU energy educator, will discuss ways that people can reduce their energy use to save money and natural resources. An “energy bike” will be set up to help people experience firsthand the amount of energy required to power various home electrical devices. He also will demonstrate how infrared cameras and thermometers are used to evaluate heat loss areas in a home.
Ken Hellevang, NDSU Extension Service engineer, will discuss post harvest corn management practices. Greg Lardy, NDSU Extension beef cattle specialist, will have information on feeding immature corn to livestock.
Tom Scherer and Roxanne Johnson, NDSU Extension water experts, will discuss the results of well water quality screening conducted in North Dakota during the past two years. The water was screened for nitrates, pH, total dissolved solids and hardness. They also will present their findings of a tile drain monitoring project in Cass County. Seventeen tile drains were sampled on a weekly basis in 2008.
Phillip Glogoza, University of Minnesota Extension Service educator, will discuss glyphosate weed resistance in Minnesota and North Dakota. He will provide information on the early detection of low levels of resistant weed species and address ways of modifying management programs.
NDSU Extension Service specialists will collaborate with the Lake Agassiz Regional Council, Cass County Soil Conservation District and Farm and Ranch Guide on strip-till research and equipment demonstrations and educational programs on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons.
North Dakota, Minnesota and Montana Extension specialists and researchers will present information on current strip-till research and equipment development during the educational programs preceding the demonstrations.
The demonstrations will be conducted on corn stubble on Tuesday afternoon, with the research reports focusing on corn and soybean production. Wheat stubble will be used for the Wednesday field demonstrations. However, the research reports will focus on strip-till sugar beet production.
For more information, go to www.bigironfarmshow.com.