By Allie Arp
All are invited to learn more about agronomy research in central South Dakota, including oat and wheat trial updates, crop rotation and irrigation work and tours of decades-long field trials at the South Dakota State University Dakota Lakes Research Farm Field Day, the last Friday in June.
The tours will start at the farm (located at 21310 308th Ave., Pierre) at 3 p.m. June 26.
There are more than a dozen crops planted throughout the no-till farm with crop rotation work that has been in place for more than 30 years.
Specific topics to be covered include:
- Oat breeding and field trials update
- Wheat breeding and field trials update
- Livestock integration
- Crop rotation
- Irrigation
- Research tips and tricks for farmers
Continuing education credits will be available for certified crop advisers.
“We will present about SDSU research projects focused on the central part of the state but will also cover principles that apply to farming everywhere,” said Natalie Sturm, farm manager at Dakota Lakes. “We do a lot of long-term research that is very unique and demonstrates the successful use of good agricultural practices.”
Sturm started in her role this spring and looks forward to the opportunity to meet stakeholders at the event.
“I’m hoping to meet a lot of people,” Sturm said. “I really like talking to people about farming and agriculture and Dakota Lakes is a good demonstration of different practices for farmers.”
The field day will commence with a meal, sponsored by the Dakota Lakes Research Farm Corp. board of directors and be capped off with SDSU ice cream. All attendees will receive an Agricultural Experiment Station giveaway item and can enter to win a cooler backpack.
While there is no cost to attend the field days, registration is highly recommended in order to get accurate counts for food and resource materials. Registration for all of the field days is now available.
Source : sdstate.edu