Celebrating 100 Years of Plowing History

Sep 09, 2013

Celebrating 100 Years of Plowing History

By Amanda Brodhagen, Farms.com

The first furrows were plowed on Friday as Perth County gears up to host the 100th anniversary of the International Plowing Match and Rural Expo (IPM) Sept. 17-21.

Organizers held a media day to provide a glimpse of what you can expect at the five-day agricultural show on a farm near Mitchell, Ont. The one-of-a-kind show will feature more than 100 acres of exhibits and entertainment for all ages. The centennial celebration is expected to attract over 100,000 visitors.

For the first time, two different plowing methods were demonstrated – one representing the past, and one representing the present. Accompanied with his Percheron horses, John Dekroon turned out a furrow at the site of the IPM, which represented plowing in 1913. In contrast, Ontario Queen of the Furrow Sara Little plowed with a John Deere tractor, exhibiting plowing in the present day.

Visit the IPM website for more information: http://www.ipm2013.org/. Pictures of the media day can be viewed by clicking here.

Video: Dr. Emerson Nafziger: Nitrogen Fertilizer Rates for Corn

The Crop Science Podcast Show, Dr. Emerson Nafziger from the University of Illinois breaks down decades of nitrogen research. From the evolution of N rate guidelines to how soil health and hybrid genetics influence nitrogen use efficiency, this conversation unpacks the science behind smarter fertilization. Improving how we set nitrogen fertilizer rates for rainfed corn is a key focus. Discover why the MRTN model matters more than ever, and how shifting mindsets and better data can boost yields and environmental outcomes. Tune in now on all major platforms!

"The nitrogen that comes from soil mineralization is the first nitrogen the plant sees, and its role is underestimated."

Meet the guest:

Dr. Emerson Nafziger is Professor Emeritus of Crop Sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, with degrees in agronomy from Ohio State, Purdue, and Illinois. His research has focused on nitrogen rate strategies and crop productivity. He co-developed the Maximum Return to Nitrogen (MRTN) model, which is widely used across the Midwest. His research spans N response trials, hybrid interactions, crop rotation effects, and yield stability.