Producers can learn about crop production, the drought, farm stress and NDSU’s Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering during the Big Iron farm show Sept. 14-16 in West Fargo.
NDSU Extension personnel are scheduled to have four exhibits at the east end of the Hartl Ag Building. In addition, Extension agents and specialists will be available to answer questions about crop and livestock production and other rural topics.
“This is an opportunity for people to stop by to view the displays, ask questions, pick up publications and provide input or just visit,” says Ken Hellevang, NDSU Extension agricultural engineer.
Crop production accounts for about two-third of the agricultural economy in North Dakota. The Extension exhibit will focus on some of the current topics, with Extension agents and specialists available to discuss current challenges.
The entire state of North Dakota is experiencing drought that is impacting livestock, crops and farmsteads. Producers are encouraged to bring in livestock water samples to be screened to ensure the total dissolved solids and sulfates are not toxic. Part of the Extension exhibit will include resources available to assist farmers with various aspects of agriculture impacted by the drought.
Faculty also will be available to discuss various agricultural and biosystems engineering department topics. The department has academic degrees in engineering, with a focus on agricultural machinery, natural resource engineering and biosystems engineering.
The department also offers degrees in agricultural systems management, which incorporates technology, business and agricultural production. The precision agriculture degree is one of only two four-year degrees offered in the U.S. and includes the many aspects of precision agriculture. Both of these degrees are through the College of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources.
John Nowatzki, retired NDSU Extension agricultural machine systems specialist, has organized field demonstrations related to autonomous agricultural vehicles and automated precision rock picking. Demonstrations are set daily from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the field directly south of the Red River Valley Fairgrounds racetrack.
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