Regional agronomy research results, managing alfalfa pests and incorporating cover crops into western Dakota’s crop rotations will be featured topics at the 38th annual Western Dakota Crops Day, hosted by the NDSU Hettinger Research Extension Center. The event is scheduled to be held at the Hettinger Armory on Dec. 16.
Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. with coffee and doughnuts, and presentations start at 10 a.m. Participants can view exhibits and visit with vendors throughout the day.
South Dakota State University Extension entomologist Patrick Wagner will discuss common alfalfa pests and their control, as alfalfa is an important crop in the region. He also will talk about common insect pests, such as alfalfa weevil, potato leafhoppers, aphids, plant bugs cutworms and blister beetles.
Ryan Beer from Lemmon, South Dakota, will give a presentation on incorporating full season and post-harvest cover crops into cropping systems for the western Dakotas.
Results from agronomy research in the western Dakotas will be presented by Caleb Dalley, Hettinger REC weed scientist; John Rickertsen, Hettinger REC research agronomist; Ryan Buetow, Dickinson REC Extension cropping systems specialist and Chris Augustin, Dickinson REC director and soil scientist.
Topics will include updates on new crop varieties, new herbicides, crop production and current agronomy issues in the West River region.
“This year’s crops day will provide excellent information on alfalfa pest management and utilizing cover crops in the semi-arid western Dakota’s, along with the traditional variety performance and ongoing regional agronomy research,” said Rickertsen.
The event is free and lunch will be provided. For more information, contact the Hettinger REC at 701-567-4323.
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