Crop Day Featuring Corn and Soils Set for Dec. 4 at Carrington

The North Dakota State University Carrington Research Extension Center (REC) will conduct its annual Crop Day on Dec. 4.

The emphasis this year will be on corn and soil management, according to Greg Endres, NDSU Extension Service area agronomist at the Carrington REC.

Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. There is no registration fee. Refreshments and a noon meal sponsored by the North Dakota Corn Council will be served.

The morning's educational program begins at 9 a.m. Utilizing a combination of NDSU and industry crop experts, the educational session will provide details in five areas of corn production.

Bruce Due, Mycogen agronomist, will review what was experienced and learned during the 2012 corn-growing season that can be used in future years. Walt Albus, NDSU research agronomist, will discuss the advantages and challenges of managing corn residue. He will share research data to answer the question: Is this a resource or a restriction for optimizing crop production?

Jeff Stachler, NDSU Extension weed scientist, will provide an overview of glyphosate-resistant weeds in North Dakota. He will discuss the current status and strategies to prevent or manage the problem.

The fourth corn subject is intensive management. Part one will be sharing highlights of NDSU's research relating to corn response to combinations of production factors and special inputs. The session will be led by Blaine Schatz, Carrington REC director and agronomist, and Endres. Part two will be an industry view presented by Jason Hanson, Winfield agronomist. Hanson will discuss using numerous plant establishment and nutrition factors to maximize corn production.

The final morning session will be on the use of variable-rate technology for planting and the nutritional needs of corn and other crops. Dave Franzen, NDSU Extension soils specialist, will discuss variable-rate strategies and the economics of it based on research data.

Starting at 1:15 p.m., the soils program will have two sessions. First, Franzen will discuss how salt-affected soils emerge and will make recommendations on management. The second session will be devoted to the management of weeds, such as foxtail barley, cattails, curly dock and dandelions, in wet and salty soils. Speakers include Mike Ostlie, research agronomist at the Carrington REC, and Endres.

A total of 4 continuing education credits in crop, nutrient, pest, and soil and water management will be available for certified crop advisers participating in the event.

More meeting details can be found at http://www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/carringt/. Additional information can be obtained by contacting the Carrington REC at (701) 652-2951; Tim Becker, Eddy County Extension agent, (701) 947-2454; Joel Lemer, Foster County Extension agent, (701) 652-2581; or Lindsay Maddock, Wells County Extension agent, (701) 547-3341.