Field Day at Williston Research Extension Center Set for July 14

The annual field day will be held Thursday, July 14, at the North Dakota State University Williston Research Extension Center 4.5 miles west of Williston on U.S. Highway 2.

The day begins with coffee at 8:30 a.m. CDT.

The crops tour will begin at 9:30 a.m. NDSU research and Extension specialists will lead discussions on spring and winter wheat, durum, barley and alternative crops. Other topics will include the control of weed, disease and insect problems.

A concurrent horticulture program will begin at 10 a.m. at the Ernie French Center for those who enjoy flowers, gardens and fruit production. Topics include garden vegetables varieties in North Dakota, grape research updates and wine 101.

At 11:45 a.m., a ribbon cutting will be held for the newly completed WREC seed processing/research laboratories addition to the Ernie French Center. Neil Riveland also will be recognized and honored at this event. He retired on June 3 after working at the WREC for 42 years. Most recently, he served as the WREC research agronomist and assistant director.

At noon, the traditional barbecue chicken luncheon will be served. The luncheon is sponsored by area agribusinesses and the Williston Chamber of Commerce Agricultural Committee.

The afternoon features a combine calibration clinic at 1:30. Combine calibration includes the procedures to adjust the threshing and separation functions in combines and how to measure harvest losses in the field. Combine adjustments include reel, cutter bar, auger, feed conveyor, rotor/cylinder speed, concave clearance, sieve settings and fan speed. Some newer combines have extensive in-cab adjustment capabilities, while others, particularly older combines, require manual adjustments at various locations.

There will be water quality screening at the Ernie French Center from 9 a.m. to noon. Bring your water sample for testing. Samples should be collected in any clean plastic bottle capable of holding 15 to 20 ounces.

NDSU Agriculture Communication - June 27, 2011