The North Dakota State University Hettinger Research Extension Center (HREC) will hold their annual field tour on July 9 at 5 p.m. MDT.

Prior to the tour, the HREC also will host a meet-and-greet with Yuri Montanholi, the new NDSU Extension beef cattle specialist, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the HREC classroom. Refreshments will be served.

Montanholi received his D.V.M. and M.S. in Brazil, and completed a Ph.D. in Animal Science from the University of Guelph, Ontario. His research has focused on the evaluation of livestock nutrient metabolism and improving the efficiency of feed utilization. He also is interested in performance testing and evaluation of traits affecting carcass composition. Montanholi looks forward to meeting North Dakota livestock producers and learning about their needs and interests.

Following the meet-and-greet, the annual crop tour will begin at the HREC Agronomy and Range Research Laboratory.

This year’s tour will feature an industrial hemp variety trial. This is the first year industrial hemp has been grown at the HREC, as interest in this crop continues to grow.

Burton Johnson, a professor and scientist in NDSU’s Plant Sciences Department, will discuss industrial hemp production, marketing and economics.

Other tour speakers and topics are:

• Weed management update – Joe Ikley, NDSU Extension weeds specialist
• Spring wheat varieties and breeding program – Andrew Green, NDSU professor and hard spring wheat breeder
• Wheat diseases and seed treatments – Andrew Friskop, NDSU Extension plant pathologist
• Weed-control research conducted at the HREC – Caleb Dalley, HREC weed scientist
• Pea varieties and soybean research – John Rickertsen, HREC research agronomist
• Information on new varieties of durum wheat, winter wheat and barley

Participants will see trials of several crops being grown at the HREC and be able to talk with Extension specialists and research scientists.

“The tour will give producers information about new varieties, agronomic practices and current crop production issues,” says John Rickertsen, HREC research agronomist. “We also are excited to have an industrial hemp trial at the station this year to see how this new emerging crop performs in a semi-arid climate.”

Following the tour is a free supper at the Agronomy and Range Research Lab.

All activities are free and open to the public.

NDSU Agriculture Communication - June 21, 2019