Farmers and ranchers wage a continuous battle with weeds in their crops and pastures, battles that have grown fiercer with new weed species popping up and the development of herbicide resistance in existing weeds. Knowing your enemy is key for combating resistance and preventing introduction of new species and area producers have an opportunity to brush up on their weed skills at the 2019 Froid Research Farm Field Day on Thursday, June 27, from 1 – 5 p.m.
The day’s program features discussions on new herbicide research and formulations, and on herbicide carryover and how to avoid plant injury by MSU Cropland Weed Extension Specialist Dr. Tim Seipel. And that’s not all, other weed topics presented include a weed ID and biocontrol update, and a sprayer calibration demonstration.
Also on tap for the day are handy demonstrations showing producers how they can test their soil for infiltration, compaction and acidification characteristics. The compaction demonstration includes a shallow soil pit showing underground impacts resulting from compacted soils. Other features at this year’s event include a talk on pulse crop diseases and presentations on cover crop yield and forage quality; pest and beneficial insects found in oilseed and cover crop forage rotations, and another demonstration test looking at soil respiration and carbon dioxide’s potential as a soil health indicator. Presenters include USDA, MSU and NDSU scientists, extension staff and more.
The day concludes with a free steak dinner at 5 p.m. sponsored by the Sheridan and Roosevelt County Conservation Districts. Other event sponsors include the Sheridan and Roosevelt County Extension offices and the USDA-ARS Northern Plains Agricultural Research Laboratory in Sidney.