NEWS for North Dakotans
Agriculture Communication, North Dakota State University
7 Morrill Hall, Fargo, ND 58105-5665
June 29, 2000
New technology, research and plant varieties will be highlighted in agronomy, ranch and horticulture tours during a field day Wednesday, July 12, at the North Dakota State University Dickinson Research Extension Center.
A self-guided tour of the plantings and trials on the grounds will open the day at 7 a.m. (All times MDT.) A guided tour will be available at 8 a.m. An agronomy tour featuring small grain varieties will begin at 8:30 a.m. A second agronomy tour featuring alternative management methods begins at 1 p.m. A horticulture tour will begin at 3:30 p.m. Most livestock events will be featured at the center's ranch near Manning. Vans leave from the center in Dickinson at 8:30 a.m. for a 9 a.m. tour at the ranch. A 5 p.m. supper at the center in Dickinson will close the day.
The center is located on the northwest corner of State Avenue and Empire Road in Dickinson. Parking for all field day events will be across Empire Road at the Dickinson Recreation Center parking lot. Shuttle service will be available, and there is access to the center via a walking trail. The center's ranch is located 22 miles north of Dickinson on Highway 22. Watch for the sign that indicates the correct turnoff.
Ranch Tour
The ranch tour begins at 9 a.m. and will feature a discussion of beef production from pastures managed according to plant requirements by NDSU range management specialist Lee Manske. Animal and range science graduate student Holly Prichard will review grass nutrient research at the center using (cannulated) steers. Extension livestock specialist Chip Poland will discuss additional beef nutrition research. Doug Landblom, a research technician at the center, will outline future beef research projects and give an update on swine research.
Agronomy Tours
NDSU crop breeders will discuss their efforts to improve small grains, including trials at the Dickinson center. The tour will feature barley breeder Jerry Franckowiak, oat breeder Mike McMullen, hard red spring wheat breeder Richard Frohberg. Extension agronomist Mike Peel will discuss hard red winter wheat and agronomist Pat Carr will discuss canola.
The afternoon cropping tour will open at 1 p.m. with a discussion of canola production by Paul Thomas of the Northern Canola Growers Association. Area cropping specialist Kent McKay will review recommendations for harvesting canola. Pat Car, agronomist at the Dickinson Research Extension Center, will discuss crop rotations and strategies for eliminating tillage in alternative crop management systems. NDSU agronomists Mike Peel and Al Schneiter will discuss the role of transgenic crops. NDSU Extension crop protection specialist Jan Knodel will review insect pest concerns in alternative cropping systems. NDSU Extension agronomist Roger Ashley and NDSU Extension plant pathologist Marcia McMullen will review disease concerns.
Horticulture Tour
NDSU Extension rangeland management specialist Lee Manske will open the horticulture tour at 3:30 p.m. with a review of how ornamental grasses and other turfgrasses can be used for home landscapes. NDSU Extension horticulturist Ron Smith will discuss efficient water use techniques. NDSU research specialist Barb Laschkewitsch will review annual and perennial flower evaluations. Dickinson city forester Craig Armstrong will discuss xeriscape landscape ideas.
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Source: Kris Ringwall (701) 483-2348
Editor: Tom Jirik (218) 790-0784