Illinois wheat growers will have an opportunity this May to tour winter wheat fields in order to make observations that will factor into yield estimates of the 2014 winter wheat crop.
The Illinois Wheat Association (IWA) is hosting the Southern Illinois Winter Wheat Tour on Wednesday, May 28. The tour will include field checks during the day with an evening report session at Brownstown Agronomy Research Center. Prior to the evening meal, yield estimates will be calculated and attendees will have an opportunity to view wheat variety and seed treatment trials. Fred Kolb, University of Illinois professor of small grain breeding; Emerson Nafziger, U of I professor and Extension agronomist; and Robert Bellm, U of I Extension educator in commercial agriculture and crops, will be on hand to discuss wheat development and wheat diseases.
Tour participants will meet at 9 a.m. at one of four locations: Siemer Milling Co., 111 W. Main St., Teutopolis (217-857-3131); Mennel Milling Co. of Illinois, 415 E. Main St., Mt. Olive (217-999-2161); Wehmeyer Seed Co., 7167 Highbanks Rd., Mascoutah (618-615-9037); and Wabash Valley Services Co., 1562 Illinois 1, Carmi (812-483-2966). Participants are asked to call in advance with the location from which they would like to depart.
Reservations for dinner must be made by May 23 and can be done by contacting the IWA office at 309-557-3619 or by email at cblary@ilfb.org.
Those wishing to take samples on their own and join the group for the dinner and wrap-up are also asked to contact the IWA by May 23. IWA will provide the tour instructions to those taking independent samples. Sampling procedures can be found on the wheat website at http://www.illinoiswheat.org/events.html.
Source : illinois.edu