NEWS for North Dakotans
Agriculture Communication, North Dakota State University
7 Morrill Hall, Fargo, ND 58105-5665
August 26, 1999
North Dakota State University Extension Service agricultural engineers will present educational exhibits and information at this year's Big Iron farm equipment and agribusiness show Sept. 14-16 at the Red River Valley Fairgrounds in West Fargo.
NDSU ag engineering topics will include reducing spray drift, AgrAbility, grain storage, water quality and drip irrigation. The exhibits will be in the east lobby of the Agriculture Building from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.
Most pesticide spray drift is caused by very small drops being carried out of the target field. Ag engineer Vern Hofman will demonstrate new spray nozzles that considerably reduce drift potential, comparing them to standard flat fan spray tips.
AgrAbility in Dakota, a federally funded extension program presented by the Easter Seal Society of North Dakota, provides help to disabled farmers and farm workers and their families. Safety specialist George Maher will conduct a spin-the-wheel game testing participants' knowledge of disabilities and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Prizes for correct answers will include safety glasses, protective gloves, earplugs and respirators.
Cooling stored grain with aeration prevents most storage problems. Ag engineer Ken Hellevang will show optimum temperatures for insects and spoilage (70 to 80 degrees) and the temperatures where insects are dormant (30 to 50 degrees) or killed (20 to 25 degrees). Mold growth is also reduced as the grain temperature is lowered.
An exhibit by John Nowatzki will describe the six most common methods of treating household water, including water softening, oxidation iron filtration, activated carbon filtration, reverse osmosis, distillation and chlorination. Specialists will be on hand to answer questions and provide information on water quality.
Drip or trickle irrigation can be a practical alternative to sprinkler irrigation for home gardens and high-value produce crops, lowering water requirements and reducing plant disease and weed problems. Irrigation specialist Tom Scherer will display the components needed for a drip irrigation system and provide information on how to plan and install a drip system.
Extension agents from North Dakota and Minnesota will be on hand to answer crop production questions and provide information. Selected NDSU Extension Service publications will be available at no charge.
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Source: Ken Hellevang (701) 231-7243
Editor: Gary Moran (701) 231-7865