5/15/98

Contacts:
Dennis Shannon, ISU Research and Demonstration Farms, (515) 294-1608
Ed Adcock, Agriculture Information, (515) 294-2314

PROGRAMS SET FOR SUMMER FIELD DAYS

AMES -- Iowa State University Research and Demonstration Farms has scheduled nine field days this summer starting June 16.

Growing organic soybeans, body condition scoring of beef cows and precision ag are among the crop and livestock production topics scheduled for the field day programs. Most of the farms also will host home garden demonstrations this summer, which will include sessions by ISU horticulturists.

A brochure with information about the field days is available at ISU Extension county offices and at the research and demonstration farms. The field days take place rain or shine. Programs are subject to change. The field days and program topics are:

June 16, Southeast Research and Demonstration Farm (1 3/4 miles south and 2 miles east of Crawfordsville on the Washington/Louisa county-line road), identical programs begin at 2:30 and 6 p.m. A meal will be served between programs.
Program topics: seeding switchgrass into sod with a corn planter; corn and soybean weed control demonstration; weeds impact on soybean yields; and growing organic soybeans.

June 17, Northwest Research and Demonstration Farm (11 miles north of Cherokee on U.S. Highway 59 and 1/4 mile east on County Road B-62), 8:45 a.m. Lunch will be served.
Program topics: weed and herbicide management; precision ag; P&K placement; soybean cyst nematode management; and value-added products.

June 19, McNay Research and Demonstration Farm (four miles south of Lucas on Highway 65, 2 1/2 miles east and 1/4 mile north), 4 p.m. A meal will be served.
Program topics: Bt corn; calving pasture renovation; herbicide trials; Stewart's wilt corn disease management; and calibrating NH3 applicators.

June 23, Armstrong Research and Demonstration Farm (11 miles southwest of Atlantic on Highway 6, 1/2 mile south and 3/4 mile east), 4 p.m. A meal will be served at 6 p.m.
Program topics: manure handling options; composting manure; feedlot mounds; increasing feed intake of feedlot cattle; vitamin E/selenium in the cow/calf herd; leafhopper resistant alfalfa variety; preparing 4-H lambs for the county fair; club lamb fungus; body condition scoring of beef cows; dairy heifer development; nutrient content and odor of various manures; risk management for cow/calf producers; and cutting oat hay.

June 24, Northeast Research and Demonstration Farm (1 mile south and 1 1/2 miles west of Nashua), programs at 1:30 and 6:30 p.m. A meal will be served between programs.
Program topics: weed emergence and management; P&K placement; corn row spacing; and hail damage research on soybeans.

June 25, Western Research and Demonstration Farm (4 miles east of Castana on County Road E-34), 1 p.m.
Program topics: corn and soybean herbicide trials; manure as a fertilizer for soybeans; Roundup Ready corn and soybeans; and sulfur fertilization of corn.

June 26, Northern Research and Demonstration Farm (just south of Kanawha on County Road R-35), 9:30 a.m. A meal will be served after the program.
Program topics: corn planting date and hybrid maturity summary; frequency of swine manure applications; weed management; and soybean diseases.

July 7, Rhodes Research and Demonstration Farm (1/2 mile north of the intersection of Highway 330 and Binford Avenue in Marshall County), 4 and 7 p.m.
Program topics: forage breeding and variety testing; condition scoring feeder calves; swine production in hoops structures; legume establishment on various sites; health programs for preventing scours; embryo transfer; Bt corn; and developing genetic specifications for the beef industry.

July 14, Muscatine Island Research and Demonstration Farm (111 North St. in Fruitland), 4 p.m. A meal will be served at 5:30 p.m. for $5.
Program topics: vegetable production and cultivars; techniques for producing early sweet corn harvests; and colored mulches for tomato production.

The home garden demonstrations are scheduled for:

• Western Research and Demonstration Farm at Castana -- June 30, 6:30 p.m.
• Northwest Research and Demonstration Farm at Sutherland -- July 25, 1:30 p.m.
• Northern Research and Demonstration Farm at Kanawha -- July 29, 6:30 p.m.
• Southeast Research and Demonstration Farm at Crawfordsville -- July 30, 6:30 p.m.
• Muscatine Research and Demonstration Farm at Fruitland -- Aug. 4, 6:30 p.m.
• Northeast Research and Demonstration Farm at Nashua -- Aug. 5, 6:30 p.m.
• Armstrong Research and Demonstration Farm at Lewis -- Aug. 6, 6:30 p.m.

In addition, four field days focusing on precision agriculture are planned: Aug. 24, 6 p.m. at the Barry Kusel farm, Manning; Aug. 25, 1:30 p.m. at the Northeast Research and Demonstration Farm, Nashua; Aug. 26, 6 p.m. at the Ron Heck farm, Ogden; and Aug. 27, 6 p.m. at the Don Keiper farm, Palo.

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