August 5, 2005

Purdue agricultural center field days to offer educational feast

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue University Agricultural Centers will sponsor field days in August to provide farmers with information on such topics as soybean rust, weed management, corn and soybean herbicides, muskmelons, watermelons, rotational grazing, and surface water.

The field days are free and open to the public. Pesticide applicator recertification programs (PARP) will be offered at some of the field days for a $10 fee. Those attending also are eligible for continuing education credits.

Among the field day speakers are Purdue Extension specialists and agricultural industry professionals.

The field day schedule includes:

• Aug. 10, 1:30-3:30 p.m., Southwest-Purdue Agricultural Center (SWPAC), Vincennes, Ind. - Presentations on muskmelon and watermelon variety trials; sticky trap sampling for cucumber beetles; tomato nutrition; soybean rust; speed scouting for soybean aphids; and pesticide trials for pumpkin, muskmelon, watermelon and tomatoes. For more information, contact Dan Egel, Purdue Extension plant pathologist, at (812) 886-0198, egel@purdue.edu. SWPAC is located north of Vincennes off U.S. 41, at 4369 N. Purdue Road.

• Aug. 22, 5:30-8:30 p.m., Southeast-Purdue Agricultural Center (SEPAC), Butlerville, Ind. - Educational programs on soybean rust, precision farming, and on-farm research and weed management. In addition, Jenny Vogel, district conservationist for the Jennings County Natural Resources Conservation Service, will discuss the Conservation Security Program. PARP session planned. Refreshments provided. For more information, contact Ken Salkeld, educator, Purdue Extension Jennings County, at (812) 352-3033, ksalkeld@purdue.edu. SEPAC is located six miles east of North Vernon, Ind., on U.S. 50.

• Aug. 23, 4:30-7 p.m., Southern Indiana-Purdue Agricultural Center (SIPAC), Dubois, Ind. - Program focuses on cutting cow costs with winter forage alternatives. Other topics include the economics of rotational grazing, using KY-31 and Max Q fescues, and the SIPAC goat project. A barbecue meal will be available for $2. Registration deadline is Aug. 16 and can be made contacting the Purdue Extension Perry County office at (812) 547-7084. For more information, contact Jason Tower, SIPAC superintendent, at (812) 678-4427, towerj@purdue.edu. SIPAC is located northwest of Patoka Lake at 11371 E. Purdue Farm Road.

• Aug. 23, 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Davis-Purdue Agricultural Center (DPAC), Farmland, Ind. - Presentations on research into shifting weed populations, weed control, soybean pests, tile drainage and surface water issues. Demonstrations of global positioning system equipment. PARP session planned. Health screenings provided by St. Vincent Randolph Hospital. Lunch available, with reservations due by Aug. 19. For more information, contact Jeff Boyer, DPAC superintendent, at (765) 468-7022, jboyer@purdue.edu; or Dan Kirtley, educator, Purdue Extension Randolph County, at (765) 584-2271, dkirtley@purdue.edu. DPAC is located five miles north of Farmland, Ind., on Indiana 1.

• Aug. 24, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 6-8 p.m., Pinney-Purdue Agricultural Center (PPAC), Wanatah, Ind. - Sessions on weed management, soybean aphids, corn rootworms, plant diseases and assisted steering. Pork chop lunch available, with introduction of Purdue Agriculture Dean Randy Woodson after lunch. PARP session planned. For more information, contact Walt Sell, educator, Purdue Extension LaPorte County, at (219) 324-9407; or Eric Biddinger, educator, Purdue Extension Porter County, at (219) 465-3555, Ext. 24. PPAC is located about five miles east of Valparaiso, Ind., on U.S. 30.

• Aug. 25, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Northeast-Purdue Agricultural Center (NEPAC), Columbia City, Ind. - Educational programs on herbicide management, soybean rust and tips for making better use of yield monitors. PARP session planned. Lunch provided. For more information contact Rolla Parsons, educator, Purdue Extension Huntington County, at (260) 358-4826, rparsons@purdue.edu. NEPAC is located north of Indiana 14 at 4821 E. County Road 400 S.

Additional information about Purdue Agricultural Centers and maps to each research farm can be found online.

Writer: Timi Jo Jordan, (765) 464-8402, agnews-stories@purdue.edu

Sources: Dan Egel, (812) 886-0198, egel@purdue.edu

Ken Salkeld, (812) 352-3033, ksalkeld@purdue.edu

Jason Tower, (812) 678-4427, towerj@purdue.edu

Jeff Boyer, (765) 468-7022, jboyer@purdue.edu

Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722;
Beth Forbes, forbes@purdue.edu
Agriculture News Page

Related Web site:
Purdue University Department of Agronomy

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