Cooperative Extension Service Communications and Technology Department 3354 1000 E. University Ave. Laramie, WY 82071 (307) 766-6342 • fax (307) 766-3998 • www.uwyo.edu

 

For Immediate Release

 

 

Contact: Steven L. Miller, Senior Editor

Phone: (307) 766-6342

E-mail: slmiller@uwyo.edu

Archived News Site www.uwyo.edu/agadmin/news/news.htm

 

Date: July 17, 2006

UW Powell Research and Extension Center field day Aug. 1

            Biodiesel crop production and weed management in sugar beets are part of the research trials the public can tour during an educational field day 9:30-noon Tuesday, Aug. 1, at the University of Wyoming’s Powell Research and Extension Center (UW PREC).

            Trials to be toured and discussed also include prairie coneflower seed production for reclamation, Shoshone sainfoin foundation seed production and weed competition in sugar beets.

            The field tour is in conjunction with the annual meeting of the Wyoming AgriBusiness Association July 31–Aug. 2 at the R&E center. A training session will be provided for certified crop advisers from 1-5 p.m. following the field tours. Anyone interested is welcome to attend.

            Abdel Mesbah, research scientist and interim PREC director, will give the welcome and updates of research and extension work. Updates about the College of Agriculture and Agricultural Experiment Station (AES) will be given by Frank Galey, dean, College of Agriculture, and Stephen D. Miller, associate dean and AES director.

Combine setup and cleaning demonstration

            Terry Swenson of Heart Mountain Farm Supply & Service in Powell will demonstrate how to set combines to harvest dry beans.  Poor germination of seed lots is often attributable to damage at harvest time, so having the proper modifications and setup can mean the difference between a seed bonus and no seed bonus, said Mesbah. Swenson will also discuss how to clean a combine between varieties, which is especially important for producers with different market classes.

Research plot tour

            Mesbah will lead participants on a research plot tour at the station beginning at 10:15 a.m. Several new and old trials will be toured and discussed.

            * Jim Krall, agronomist and professor in the Department of Plant Sciences at the College of Agriculture, will talk about biodiesel crop variety trials (conventional and Roundup Ready™ canola, camelina, and brown mustard).

            * Tom Whitson, professor emeritus and extension weed specialist, will talk about how to produce prairie coneflower seed for reclamation (fertility, irrigation, and weed control).

            * Mesbah will discuss weed management in sugar beets (lanceleaf control, new formulation of sugar beet herbicides, and Bayer CropScience’s Norton® impregnation on dry fertilizers).

            * Randy Violett, research associate at PREC and College of Agriculture agronomy doctoral student, will talk about cool season grass hay production (trials established by Alan Gray in 2003).

            * Calvin Odero, College of Agriculture agronomy doctoral student, will talk about weed competition in sugar beets (venice mallow, redstem filaree, wild buckwheat, and lanceleaf sage).  

            * Mike Killen, PREC farm manager, will talk about Shoshone sainfoin seed production (cultural practices, fertility, irrigation, and weed control).

            Free hamburgers and refreshments will be served about noon. U.S. Rep. Barbara Cubin (R-Wyo.) is tentatively scheduled to speak at 12:30 p.m.

            For more information, contact PREC at (307) 754-2223.

            On the Web: http://www.uwyo.edu/uwexpstn/Powell.asp

 

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