Row Crops and Precision Agriculture Featured Dec. 15 at Carrington Crops Day

The North Dakota State University Carrington Research Extension Center will conduct its annual Crops Day on Dec. 15.

Utilizing a combination of NDSU and industry crop experts, the educational event will provide a review of production research and recommendations for corn, dry beans, soybeans and sunflowers, according to Greg Endres, NDSU Extension Service area agronomist. In addition, a session will provide basic information on the variable-rate application of fertilizer for those exploring a precision-agriculture strategy.

Registration will begin at 8:15 a.m. The registration fee is $10 per person to cover the cost of refreshments and a noon meal.

The morning’s educational program begins at 8:45 a.m. with a review of corn and soybean research and production recommendations. Corn subjects include plant development using growing degree day units, growing season and harvest review. The insurance status of unharvested crops also will be discussed. Soybean subjects include updates on plant establishment and nutrition. Speakers include Joel Ransom, NDSU Extension Service agronomist, and CREC agronomists. Jan Knodel, NDSU Extension Service entomologist, will highlight management strategies for soybean aphid and sunflower head-infesting insects, such as midges and moths.

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.

The morning session will close with an economics presentation. Steve Metzger, Farm Business Management Program area coordinator, will compare 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. In addition, he will review secondary and micronutrients that producers need to consider for crop nutrition.

At 2 p.m., two concurrent sessions will be conducted. One session features dry bean and sunflower production, while the other looks at variable-rate fertilizer strategies. Discussion during the bean and sunflower session will include a review of growing- season issues and market update; production research updates, such as bean establishment (tillage systems, row spacing and populations); and sunflower rust management. Speakers include Hans Kandel, NDSU Extension Service agronomist; Larry Kleingartner, National Sunflower Association executive director; Scott Krogstad, Trinidad Benham Corp. field representative; and CREC agronomists.

Producers interested in the variable-rate application of nitrogen fertilizer can attend the second session to learn about the best layers of 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 (categories include crop, nutrient, pest and soil, and water management) will be available for certified crop advisers participating in the event.

For more information, contact the NDSU Carrington REC at (701) 652-2951. Details also can be found on the Web at www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/carringt/.

NDSU Agriculture Communication