The NDSU Carrington Research Extension Center’s annual Crops Day is scheduled for Dec. 15 with registration beginning at 8:15 a.m. The registration fee is $10 per person and will cover the cost of refreshments and a noon meal.
The educational event will provide a review of production research and recommendations for corn, dry beans, soybeans and sunflowers. An additional session will provide basic information on the variable-rate application of fertilizer.
The morning educational program will begin at 8:45 a.m. with a review of corn and soybean research and production recommendations. The insurance status of unharvested crops also will be discussed. Speakers include Joel Ransom, NDSU Extension Service agronomist, and Carrington Research Extension Center agronomists. Jan Knodel, NDSU Extension Service entomologist, will highlight management strategies for soybean aphid and sunflower head-infesting insects.
The morning session will continue with a discussion on crop drying and storage management. Ken Hellevang, NDSU Extension Service agricultural engineer, will discuss current harvested crop issues with corn, soybeans and sunflowers. Steve Metzger, Farm Business Management area coordinator, will close the morning session with comparing costs and income for row crops versus wheat and barley.
The afternoon program begins at 1 p.m. with Dave Franzen, NDSU Extension Service soils specialist, sharing NDSU’s new wheat nitrogen recommendations. Two concurrent sessions will follow. One-session features dry bean and sunflower production, while the other looks at variable-rate fertilizer strategies. Speakers include Hans Kandel, NDSU Extension Service agronomist; Larry Kleingartner, National Sunflower Association executive director; Scott Krogstad, Trinidad Benham Corp. field representative; and Carrington Research Extension Center agronomists.
Producers interested in the variable-rate application of nitrogen fertilizer can attend the second session to learn about the information to use when building zone maps, equipment needs and options and the potential for this strategy to improve farm profits. Speakers include Franzen; John Nowatzki, NDSU Extension Service agricultural engineer; and Russell Luvass, precision agricultural specialist with Raven Industries.
Five-and-a-half continuing education credits will be available for certified crop advisers participating in the event.
For more information, contact the NDSU Carrington Research Extension Center at (701) 652-2951 or visit www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/carringt.