The Northern Illinois Agronomy Research Center will be hosting its summer Agronomy Day on Thursday, July 10 in Shabbona. Join University of Illinois Extension specialists and researchers as they address issues pertinent to the 2014 crop growing season.
The program begins at 9:00 a.m. and will finish with a noon meal provided at no cost. It is open to all who wish to attend and there is no registration fee. Certified crop adviser continuing educational units will be available.
More than 45 individual research projects encompassing corn, soybean, oats and cover crops are under way. Current studies include evaluating crop rotations, date of planting, row spacing, plant populations, crop diseases, variety comparisons and crop nutrient management. Studies demonstrating herbicide and insecticide efficacy will be signed allowing visitors to evaluate their current or future pest management programs side by side.
Weather permitting; presentations will take place outside, next to research plots. Guests will be transported by tour wagons. Field topics include:
- Nitrogen Fertilization for Soybean – Dr. Emerson Nafziger, Professor and Extension Specialist, Crop Production
- Corn Rootworm Resistance and Product Efficacy – Dr. Mike Gray, Professor and Extension Specialist, Entomology, and Assistant Dean for ANR Extension Programs
- Fungicide Resistance – Dr. Carl Bradley, Associate Professor and Extension Specialist, Plant Pathology
- Advances in Nozzle Technology – Matt Gill , Field Research Assistant
- 2014 Weed Control Challenges – Doug Maxwell, Principal Research Specialist, University of Illinois Department of Crop Sciences
- Soybean Maturity, Planting Date, and Flowering Intensity Effects on Yield – Jake Vossenkemper, Graduate Research Assistant in Crop Sciences, University of Illinois
The 160-acre Northern Illinois Agronomy Research Center is located north of Shabbona and has been used for crop research since 1948. It is the northernmost research center within the University of Illinois Crop Sciences department that is dedicated primarily to row crop research. Visitors are always welcome.
The research center is located at 14509 University Road, about a half mile east of Shabbona on U.S. Route 30 then then 5 miles north on University Road. Perry Road, which runs from the Steward exit (#93) on I-39 to south of DeKalb, is a quarter mile north of the Center.
Source: University of Illinois Department of Crop Sciences