ISU hosted research farm field days in northern and southern Iowa

June 24, 2016 3:39 PM
Blog Post

Thursday, June 23, brought great weather and a good crowd to the Northern Iowa Research Farm Field Day near Kanawha, Iowa, and the Southeast Research and Demonstration Farm Spring Field Day near Crawfordsville, Iowa; both hosted by Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach.

Northern Iowa Research Farm Field Day
About 80 people showed up to the northern research farm on Thursday morning, eager to learn about timely crop management issues and research from ISU Extension and Outreach specialists. Matt Schnabel, farm superintendent, and Karl Nicolaus, farm ag specialist, began the day with a farm update and season review. Everyone then headed to the fields to listen to the presenters. Mahdi Al-Kaisi, extension soil and water specialist, presented on soil health; John Sawyer, extension specialist in soil fertility and nutrient management, discussed nitrogen management and sulfur deficiency; and Alison Robertson, extension specialist in plant pathology and microbiology, answered questions about the corn and soybean disease outlook for the rest of the growing season. ISU Extension Field Agronomists Paul Kassel and Angie Rieck-Hinz talked about current issues in crop production, including weed control issues and corn rootworm. (Click photos to enlarge)

         
Photos by Jody Korthaus

Southeast Research and Demonstration Farm Field Day
On the same day, but in a different part of the state, 40 people checked-in at the field day in Crawfordsville, Iowa for the Southeast Research and Demonstration Farm Field Day. Myron Rees, farm superintendent, shared a farm and crop update with everyone to start off the field day. Then, ISU Extension and Outreach specialists and invited speakers began their presentations. Stefan Gailans from Practical Farmers of Iowa discussed making cover crop decisions during his presentation. Emily Heaton, extension biomass crop specialist, and team talked to the crowd about biomass production; and Antonio Mallarino, extension specialist in soil fertility and nutrient management, presented on soil test interpretations and recommendations. ISU Extension Field Agronomists Virgil Schmitt and Rebecca Vittetoe discussed the corn and soybean disease outlook for this growing season.

Thanks to everyone who attended the June 23 field days! Coming up is the Northeast Research and Demonstration Farm Field Day near Nashua, Iowa on June 28 and the Northwest Research and Demonstration Farm Field Day near Sutherland, Iowa on July 13. We look forward to seeing you there! (Click photos to enlarge)

           
Photos by Meaghan Anderson, Rebecca Vittetoe, and Virgil Schmitt

Related links:
2016 Research Farm Field Days
Weeds Week July 18-22
Field Extension Education Laboratory Summer Events

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