Two Central MN events in August: Irrigation Field Day and Rosholt Research Farm Field Day

Join us for two great events in August and learn about the latest irrigation and nutrient management research in central Minnesota. The Irrigation Field Day is on Thursday August 10, 2023. One week later is the Rosholt Research Farm Field Day on August 17, 2023.

Irrigation Field Day: August 10, 2023

University of Minnesota Extension invites you to a free field day at the Sand Plain Research Farm (SPRF) in Big Lake on Thursday, August 10th from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm. The field day will highlight U of M research on advanced irrigation and nutrient management practices, and includes a complimentary dinner. 

Many parts of Minnesota are currently facing drought conditions, and others are facing unusually dry conditions. This is our state's third year in a row of dry conditions, with almost no rain since early spring. In dry seasons when crop water demands are high, like the one we are experiencing right now, water availability for irrigation could be an issue later in the season. Using irrigation scheduling tools and advanced irrigation management practices, such as precision irrigation, can benefit the environment and improve farm profitability.

Different irrigation and nutrient management related topics will be covered including precision irrigation and nitrogen management in corn and potatoes, soil moisture sensing technology for irrigation scheduling, and enhanced efficiency fertilizers.

Registration

RSVPs are requested and can be found at z.umn.edu/IrrigationRegistration

Cost

Free to attend

Location

The farm is next to Knife River Corporation, which is located at 16491 157th St SE, Big Lake, MN 55309 (Google Maps). Extension event signs will direct you to the field day.

Schedule

• 4:00 - 4:15 pm: Welcome and registration
• 4:15 - 4:35 pm: Vasudha Sharma - Reduced irrigation management strategies for corn production in Central Sands
• 4:35- 4:55 pm: Vasudha Sharma and Yuxin Miao - Precision irrigation and nitrogen management strategies in continuous corn for improved water and nitrogen use efficiencies
• 5:00 - 5:20 pm: Fabian Fernandez - Enhanced efficiency fertilizers for corn production in irrigated sands
• 5:25 - 5:45 pm: Yuxin Miao, Carl Rosen and Seiya Wakahara - Precision nitrogen and irrigation management of potato to improve nitrogen and water use efficiencies and remove nitrate leaching
• 5:50 - 6:30 pm: Soil moisture sensor demonstrations - Anna Kelley and John O’Dougherty from EarthScout and Chuck Louis from CropX
• 6:30 pm onwards: Dinner and wrap up

If you have any questions about this event, contact Extension educator Taylor Herbert at 612-394-5229 or therbert@umn.edu

Thank you to the sponsors of the Minnesota Irrigator Program and this associated field day: Anez Consulting, EarthScout, Nelson Irrigation, Minnesota Corn, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, R.D. Offut Farms, Lindsay Irrigation, and Senninger Irrigation.

Rosholt Research Farm Field Day: August 17th, 2023

Join us Thursday August 17th for a field day at the Rosholt Research Farm from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Current research trials to be addressed include Kernza perennial grain, nitrogen fertilizer applications, cover crop and living mulches, and irrigation water management practices. A great line-up of speakers has committed to participating in the event representing the University of Minnesota, University of Minnesota Extension, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, and Pope and Stearns Soil and Water Conservation Districts.

Click here for more information

Registration

Participants are encouraged to register by August 11th using the below link or by calling 320-634-5327. Event details can be found on Pope or Stearns Soil and Water Conservation District’s (SWCD) website at www.popeswcd.org or www.stearnscountyswcd.net.

Register here

Cost

Free to attend. Lunch is included.

Location

910 Old Highway 28, Westport, MN 56385

Agenda topics

• AgCentric Trailer
• AURI Kernza Update
• When Nitrogen is Managed Right in Irrigated Sands, Do Cover Crops Help Corn Yield and the Environment?
• Lessons learned from Irrigation and Nitrogen Management study in Minnesota Central Sands.
• Long-term Management of Kernza for Water Quality Protection

NOTE: Agricultural Fertilizer Research and Education Council (AFREC) UpdatesContinuing Education Credits (CEUs) are pending approval

Funding for work at the Rosholt Research Farm has been provided by the Minnesota Environmental and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR), Minnesota Department of Agricultural Fertilizer Research and Education Council (AFREC), and the Clean Water Fund as a part of the Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment.

Funding for this project was provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR). For more information visit: www.lccmr.leg.mn

Funding provided from the Clean Water Fund as part of the Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment. For more information visit: www.legacy.mn.gov/clean-water-fund.

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