Northwest Research and Outreach Ctr.
2900 University Avenue, Crookston, Minnesota 56716

The annual U of M Northwest Research and Outreach Center (NWROC) Field Day is scheduled for Wednesday, July 12, 2006, beginning with registration and coffee at 8 a.m. Visitors are asked to come to the NWROC’s North Agronomy Farm, approximately 1.0 miles north of the University of Minnesota Crookston (UMC) campus on Highway 75. Parking areas will be marked.

The morning tours begin at 8:30 a.m. This year’s special topic is how to maintain viable crop rotations for sugarbeet. Integrating corn or soybeans into our rotations with sugarbeet is creating some new challenges. On Tour I, Dr. Carol Windels will discuss the increased risks of Rhizoctonia root rot as crop rotations are changing. Dr. Albert Sims will discuss his research on growing sugarbeet following corn and soybeans and Dr. Charla Hollingsworth will address disease control in wheat. Tour II will include small grain variety and insect updates with Drs. Jim Anderson, Kevin Smith, Deon Stuthman and Ian MacRae. Following a short refreshment break at 10 a.m., both tours will be repeated.

A complimentary lunch will be served at noon. During the lunch break, Dr. Larry Smith, head of the NWROC, will dedicate one of the sugarbeet research ranges to Dr. Alan Dexter, sugarbeet weed specialist, NDSU/U of M to commemorate his many contributions to the sugarbeet industry of the Red River Valley.

The focus of the afternoon tours will be weed control in sugarbeet and small grains. The tours will begin about 1 p.m. On Tour I, Dr. Carlyle Holen will discuss Canada Thistle control and Dr. Bev Durgan will address weed control in small grains. Tour II will have Dr. Alan Dexter sharing his latest findings about weed control in sugarbeet. After a short refreshment break about 2:30 p.m., both tours will shown again in their entirety.

The University of Minnesota Crookston (UMC) will hold a horticultural program beginning with registration and refreshments at 8 a.m. The program entitled, “Development of a Green Thumb” will get underway at 8:30 a.m. at the Horticulture Greenhouse on the UMC campus. Parking will be available in Lot A on the northeast corner of the campus across the street from the greenhouse. Speakers will include Sue Jacobson, John Loegering, Rhett Johnson, Laura Bell, Phil Baird and Melinda McVey McCluskey. Complimentary lunch will be available at the North Agronomy Farm at noon.

In case of rain, a modified program will be presented and the speakers will be available for consultation. Mark your calendars now to attend NWROC’s Field Day and UMC’s Horticulture Program on Wednesday, July 12. For further information, Dr. Jochum Wiersma, Small Grains Specialist, NWROC, Crookston, MN 56716. Phone 218-281-8629 or 281-280-0123.

http://nwroc.umn.edu