Corn and Soybeans Featured at Annual Crops Day on Dec. 20 in Carrington

Looking ahead to the 2007 crop season, farmers likely will expand corn and soybean acres. In response to the need for updated production and economic information, the North Dakota State University Extension Service will conduct a Dec. 20 meeting at the Carrington Research Extension Center, according to Greg Endres, Extension area agronomist.

Registration will begin at 9:30 a.m. The registration fee is $10 per person.

The morning’s educational program, beginning at 10 a.m., will focus on soybean production. Zach Fore, Pioneer agronomist, will provide insight on variety selection and review lessons learned during the last challenging growing season. Endres and Blaine Schatz, Carrington REC director and agronomist, will share recent NDSU research and recommendations on soybean crop rotation, stand establishment and plant nutrition.

The morning session will close with an economics presentation that will compare costs and income for corn and soybeans with other crops. The information will be given by Steve Metzger, Farm Business Management Program area coordinator.

Corn production will be featured during the afternoon program beginning at 12:45 p.m. The corn keynote speaker is Joe Lauer, Wisconsin Extension Service corn specialist. Lauer will discuss the keys to profitable corn production in northern climates. Lauer provides ideas and details to help corn growers consistently reach higher yield goals.

In addition, Mike Clemens, Wimbledon corn grower and North Dakota Corn Growers Association board member, will provide a brief update on corn activities in the state. Joel Ransom, NDSU Extension corn specialist, will give a presentation on managing corn under moisture stress. Walt Albus, NDSU agronomist at Oakes, will discuss corn production using reduced tillage and nitrogen management strategies. The corn session will conclude with the afternoon speakers serving on a panel to answer questions from the audience.

Five certified crop adviser continuing education credits (4 in crop management, 0.5 in nutrient management and 0.5 in soil and water management) will be requested for this event.

For more information, contact the Carrington REC at (701) 652-2951 or Extension Service offices in Eddy, Foster, Sheridan, Stutsman and Wells counties. Details also can be found on the Web at www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/carringt/.

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Source: Greg Endres, (701) 652-2951, gregory.endres@ndsu.edu
Editor: Rich Mattern, (701) 231-6136, richard.mattern@ndsu.edu