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Get Ready for 2024 With the Latest Crop Production Information!

Get ready for the 2024 growing season and learn about the latest developments in crops research from both University of Minnesota Extension and the Regional and Outreach Centers.  Take advantage of the following opportunities:

Strategic Farming: Let's talk crops starts January 10 (online)

Strategic Farming kicks off January 10 with Dr. Frayne Olson, Crops economist at North Dakota State University. He will discuss grain prices and marketing strategies in light of geopolitics and increased soybean crushing capacity. Join us at 9 a.m. Wednesdays from Jan 10 through March 27 and come with your questions! To see the full program and to register, visit z.umn.edu/strategic-farming.

Winter Crops Day, Southern Research and Outreach Center, January 11

Registration begins at 8:30 with the program beginning at 9:00 am and concluding at 3:00 p.m. This event is FREE to attend and you do not have to pre-register. CEUs will be available for Certified Crop Advisors. Topics include:

  • Optimum nitrogen rates for corn in southern MN
    Jeff Vetsch, Researcher at SROC
  • Nutrient availability of manure
    Melissa Wilson, UM Extension nutrient management specialist
  • Sulfur source and timing effects on corn yield
    Dan Kaiser, UM Extension nutrient management specialist
  • Critical period for yield determination in soybean
    Anibal Cerrundo, visiting soybean agronomist from Argentina (working with Seth Naeve)
  • Mid-season application of nitrogen and sulfur for corn.
    Jeff Coulter, UM Extension corn agronomist
  • Weed management in corn and soybeans
    Tom Hoverstad, SROC Researcher

For more information, visit https://sroc.cfans.umn.edu/events-outreach.

Research Updates for Ag Professionals

Research Updates for Ag Professionals address strategies to deal with today's changing pests, diseases, varieties and nutrient and environmental recommendations. Visit with experienced university researchers and your colleagues to discuss topics of interest to your region.

  • Jan. 11, 12:30-5 p.m. Northwest Research & Outreach Center, Crookston
  • Feb. 6, 9-10:45 a.m. Online with pest management focus
  • Feb. 9, 9-10:45 a.m. Online with agronomy focus
  • Feb. 15, 9-10:45 a.m. Online with soil fertility focus

For more information, visit z.umn.edu/research-updates

Nitrogen: Minnesota's Grand Challenge and Compelling Opportunity Conference

This annual event will be held Tuesday, February 13 at the Holiday Inn & Suites in St. Cloud, MN. Soil scientists and educators from Minnesota and neighboring states to share their research and recommendations on nitrogen management and water quality issues.

To register, visit In-person event or online webinar (Zoom).

Nutrient Management Conference

This event will be held Tuesday, February 20 at the Mayo Clinic Health Systems Event Center in Mankato, MN. Soil scientists and educators from Minnesota and neighboring states to share their research and recommendations.

Source : umn.edu

Trending Video

How American Farmers Harvest 1.15 Billion Pounds of Sunflowers

Video: How American Farmers Harvest 1.15 Billion Pounds of Sunflowers

Across the open plains of North Dakota and South Dakota, sunflower fields turn the American landscape into a sea of gold. In this farming documentary, we go inside modern sunflower farming to see how farmers plant, grow, harvest, clean, dry, process, and transform sunflower seeds into valuable products used every day.

In 2024, American farmers harvested about 1.15 billion pounds of sunflowers. This video follows the full journey from warm spring planting to combine harvesting, seed cleaning, storage, oil extraction, refining, roasting, packaging, and animal feed production.

You will see how sunflower seeds are processed into cooking oil, roasted snacks, bakery ingredients, birdseed, livestock feed, and useful byproducts. From golden fields to modern processing plants, this is the story of how a beautiful flower becomes one of America’s important oilseed crops.

Watch until the end to discover how sunflower farming connects farmers, machines, factories, food production, and sustainable agriculture.