Visitors to the Crops, Soils and Conservation Area at Penn State’s Ag Progress Days, Aug. 11-13, can see a variety of exhibits, activities and demonstrations featuring crop management, renewable energy, conservation education, crop planting and natural resources.
Specialists from Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences and other organizations will answer questions about crop production, weed identification and biofuels. Much of the activity will take place in and around the J.D. Harrington Crops, Soils and Conservation Building on Harrington Lane near the end of East 5th Street.
Some highlights follow:
Ag Energy
Rising energy prices have people wondering how they can save on their energy bills, and Penn State Extension’s energy team will be on hand to answer visitors’ questions. Visitors can learn how to use the energy selector to pick the most cost-effective heating fuel, take a look at a solar panel to see if it might be good for their home, and find out how their farm could produce its own electricity and heat using a biogas digester.
Crop Management
Visitors can ask experts about crop and variety selection, when to scout crops, and how much manure or fertilizer to apply. Experts will be on hand to help producers identify plants and advise on managing weeds of concern on their farms. Penn State Extension’s cover crop team will be available at the demonstration plots on Harrington Lane at 11:45 a.m. all three days of the show.
Extension’s horticulture team will staff an exhibit, where visitors can get advice from extension educators. Representatives from Ernst Seeds and horticulture educators will be available to describe the plantings at the warm seasons grass plot, outside the Harrington Building.
Forage
Quality forages are key to raising productive and healthy cattle, sheep, goats, horses and other livestock on the farm. Experts from Penn State and the Pennsylvania Forage and Grassland Council will be on hand to answer questions.
Source : psu.edu