Michigan Wheat Program announces Summer Field Day on Tues., June 25th at Saginaw Valley Research & Extension Center
Register soon for the Michigan Wheat Program’s 12th Annual Summer Field Day! It begins at 8:15 a.m. on Tues., June 25 at the MSU Saginaw Valley Research & Extension Center, 3775 S. Reese Rd., in Frankenmuth. The program concludes at 2 pm.
On-site check-in and a continental breakfast begin at 8:15 a.m. Before wagons pull out in the morning and again at the lunch hour, Dr. Jan Byrne of the MSU Plant Diagnostics Center will accept and evaluate ailing wheat specimens brought in by growers. These diagnostic evaluations are covered by the Michigan Wheat Program again this year as part of the check-off’s “farmer perks.”
The wagons pull out from the SVREC main building for plot tour talks at 9 a.m., and will showcase new varieties and high-management practices, along with plots on weed control, clover as a cover crop, wheat canopy research and the new area of nematode analysis.
MSU wheat systems specialist Dennis Pennington will discuss Michigan’s current winter wheat crop, which is looking very good. Both RUP and CCA credits will be awarded to those interested at the program’s conclusion.
“Our Summer Field Day program is a really neat way for wheat farmers to see for ourselves what’s happening with our grower-funded research,” said Jeffery Krohn, chairman of the nine-member Michigan Wheat Program board and a wheat farmer from Owendale. “The funded researcher will describe the project for us, along with its history and why it was undertaken. It’s nice to be so close to harvest, so we can see how things are working out.”
“At the same time, we growers get to discuss our experiences in the field with the research team and other growers,” Krohn said. “You never know what conversation will spur the idea for the next research proposal.”
The complete schedule is:
8:15 a.m. Registration, Coffee & Donuts
8:15 a.m. Plant Diagnostics – Dr. Jan Byrne, MSU Plant Diagnostics Center
& 12 noon (Bring your troubled plants!)
9 a.m. Welcome & Introductions Jeff Krohn, MI Wheat Program Chairman
9:05 a.m. Morning Plot Presentations via wagon tour (20-minute stops)
Weed Control – Dr. Christy Sprague
High Management & Plant Growth Regulators – Dennis Pennington
Clover Cover Crop & Herbicide Interactions – Monica Jean
Late Morning Plot Presentations via wagon tour (20-minute stops)
Canopy Cover – Dr. Manni Singh
Variety Release Work – Dr. Eric Olson
Nematode Trap Crop work – Dr. Marisol Quintanilla
12 noon Lunch
1 p.m. Michigan Wheat Market Outlook
1:30 p.m. Michigan Wheat Crop Harvest Expectations/Reminders, Dennis Pennington
2 p.m. Awarding of RUP & CCA Credits & Adjourn
There is no cost to attend the Michigan Wheat Program’s Summer Field Day. To ensure an accurate count for lunch, seating and handout materials, please RSVP on this website under the “Action Needed: Sign Up” section on the home page. Or, you may register by calling 1-888-WHEAT01 (888-943-2801).
See you there, rain or shine!