Field day to offer exposure to agricultural research

"We try to showcase research projects that are taking place," said Dan Kirtley, Purdue Extension educator. "It's an opportunity for people to get out in the corn and soybean herbicide plots and see what we are doing."

Throughout the day, Purdue experts who will speak about issues currently affecting farmers will include:

• Jeff Boyer, Davis-Purdue Agriculture Center superintendent, who will lead a tour of the corn and soybean herbicide demonstration plots.

• Bill Johnson, weed specialist, who will speak about hot topics in weed control.

• Shawn Conley, soybean specialist, who will cover rust, aphids and other soybean topics, and will instruct participants on how to correctly read the soybean rust fungicide label.

• Fred Whitford, director of Purdue Pesticide Programs, who will provide instruction on how to safely transport farm chemicals.

• Brad Joern, soil fertility specialist, who will talk about utilizing animal waste as a fertilizer while being a good neighbor.

In addition to the plot tours and expert sessions, the field day will include free lunch. St. Vincent Randolph Hospital also will provide free health screenings for attendees, including blood pressure testing, tetanus shots and skin cancer screening.

"Farmers are busy and oftentimes feel as though they don't have time to see a doctor; that's why we think this program is important," said John Orick, Purdue Extension educator. "This will be the second year for the health screenings, and we already feel it's made an impact."

Field day attendees also will be eligible for commercial pesticide applicator Continuing Credit Hours, Continuing Education Units for crop consultants and private applicator credits for a $10 fee.

Davis-Purdue Agriculture Center is located five miles north of Farmland, Ind., on State Road 1. Registration will begin at 8 a.m. and will last until the program begins at 8:30 a.m. Registration is free.

For information, contact John Orick, (765) 641-9514, orick@purdue.edu, or Dan Kirtley, (765) 584-2271, dkirtley@purdue.edu.

Writer: Jennifer Stewart, (765) 494-8402, jsstewart@alumni.purdue.edu

Sources: John Orick, (765) 641-9514, orick@purdue.edu

Dan Kirtley, (765) 584-2271, dkirtley@purdue.edu

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