LANSING, Mich. — There is still time to register for the Michigan Wheat Program’s 2019 Summer Field Day set for Wednesday, June 12. This year’s event will be held at the MSU Plant Pathology Research Center, 3735 College Rd., in Lansing.
On-site check-in and a continental breakfast begin at 8:15 a.m., and wagons pull out for the plot tour presentations at 9 a.m. In-field stops feature presentations by MSU professors and research staff on weed and disease control, high-management wheat production, interseeding, disease resistant varieties, and “singulation” or precision planting to attain strong wheat stands.
New this year, is an afternoon guided walking tour at the Mason Research Farm, which has many research plots and variety trials, including some oat and barley stands. The Mason Research Farm is located at 1614 Okemos Road, Mason.
During the lunch hour, Jan Byrne of the MSU Plant Diagnostics Center will evaluate and accept ailing wheat specimens brought in by growers. The diagnostics are covered by the Michigan Wheat Program again this year as part of the Michigan Wheat Program’s “farmer’s perks.” Comments will also be provided by Martin Nagelkirk and Dennis Pennington regarding the current crop. Both RUP and CCA credits will be awarded for the morning program.
“The Michigan Wheat Program’s seventh annual Summer Field Day is a unique opportunity for Michigan wheat farmers to visit research plots while the research team describes the treatments and results,” said David Milligan, chairman of the nine-member Michigan Wheat Program board and a wheat farmer from Cass City. “We have the opportunity to ask questions and see research results with our own eyes, while sharing our experiences with other growers and researchers. You never know what conversation will spur the idea for the next research proposal.”
Morning wagon tours on June 12 feature the following topics and presenters, who are funded in part by the Michigan Wheat Program:
- Wheat Disease Management – Dr. Marty Chilvers, Martin Nagelkirk, Dr. Frances Trail
- Managing Fusarium Head Blight with Resistant Varieties – Dr. Eric Olson
- Tough Talk: Roughstalk Bluegrass Weed Control – Dr. Christy Sprague
- Sorting Through the Puzzle: Management Options for Winter Wheat, –Dr. Kurt Steinke, Seth Purucker
- Comparing Wheat Planting and Interseeding Technologies – Dennis Pennington, Kalvin Canfield, Dr. Manni Singh
- What it is: Wheat Singulation, Population Study – Dr. Manni Singh, Kalvin Canfield
The new feature this year is an after-lunch walking tour of the plots on the Mason Research Farm located at 1614 Okemos Road, Mason. Those interested in this optional tour will drive their vehicles to the farm for the walking tour, which runs 2-4 p.m. Site maps will be provided at the morning event.
The afternoon walk will feature:
- Spring Wheat Varieties – Dr. Eric Olson
- Precision Planting and MCIA Variety Trial – Dennis Pennington, Kalvin Canfield, Dr. Manni Singh
- New Wheat Variety Releases – Dr. Eric Olson
- State Yield Trials – Dennis Pennington, Dr. Eric Olson
There is no cost to attend the Michigan Wheat Program’s Summer Field Day thanks to the Michigan Wheat Program and additional support from the Michigan Crop Improvement Association. To ensure an accurate count for lunch, seating and handout materials, please RSVP at www.miwheat.org under the “What’s Hot” tab. Or register by calling 1-888-WHEAT01 (888-943-2801).
The MWP is a check-off organization funded by the state’s wheat farmers who grow wheat in 50 of Michigan’s 83 counties. The Michigan Wheat Program promotes the state’s wheat industry by funding and supporting the strategic priorities of wheat farmers by working with input suppliers, seed producers, millers, end users and consumers. Research and grower education are top priorities for the organization.
— Michigan Wheat Program
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