June 7, 2005
Asian soybean rust will be a prime topic at the Iowa State University Research and Demonstration Farms six summer field days scheduled to begin June 23.
The potential spread of the disease is a priority item among soybean producers and researchers this growing season. Iowa State began planting sentinel soybean plots in early April to provide an early warning system in the event of soybean rust. Eleven of Iowa’s 30 sentinel soybean plots are located at Research and Demonstration Farms.
In addition, a specialty field day is set for July 28 at the Horticulture Station near Ames and seven late summer field days begin Aug. 24. There also will be nine demonstration garden field days running from July 25 to Aug. 6.
The public is welcome at these field days, which are free and take place rain or shine. More information about the farms and a brochure about the field days are available on the web at: http://www.ag.iastate.edu/farms/
Those who have recently come to the United States or have returned from a trip abroad are asked to wait five days before visiting ISU farms with animals (those marked with an asterisk). Visitors to farms with livestock are asked to change clothing and footwear after visiting any livestock operation and to refrain from bringing any food items to research farms. If you have any questions, please call the Research and Demonstration Farms office at (515) 294-5045.
Southeast Research and Demonstration Farm
June 23, 1 p.m. The farm is located one and three-quarter miles south, two miles east on G62 and three-quarters of a mile north of Crawfordsville on the Washington/Louisa county-line road. Topics include: Asian soybean rust outlook, vertical tillage results, soil conservation progress and rewards, crop season review, tile drainage on southeast Iowa soils, soybean aphids and grape production.
Armstrong Research and Demonstration Farm*
June 24, 9:30 a.m. The farm is 11 miles southwest of Atlantic on Highway 6, half a mile south on M53 and three-quarters of a mile east. Topics include: Soybean rust prospects and control measures, soybean plant populations and finishing cattle in a hoop building
Northern Research and Demonstration Farm
June 28, 9:30 a.m. The farm is just south of Kanawha on county road R35. Topics include: Weed management, foliar fungicide applicator techniques, effect of tillage on yield and soil carbon, soybean rust and other diseases.
Northwest Research and Demonstration Farm
June 29, 9 a.m. The Sutherland farm is located 11 miles north of Cherokee on U.S. Highway 59 and a quarter mile east on county road B62. Topics include: No-till crop production, soybean rust and flax production.
Northeast Research and Demonstration Farm
June 30, 1:30 p.m. The farm is located one mile west of the Highway 218 and B60 intersection in Nashua, one mile south and a quarter mile east. Topics include: Soybean disease update, spray equipment for fungicide application, weed management and the phosphorus index.
SPECIALTY FIELD DAY
Horticulture Station
July 28, 9 a.m. The station is located 1.5 miles east at the intersection of Highway 69 and E23 north of Ames. Turf grass topics will be covered.
DEMONSTRATION GARDEN FIELD DAYS
These are free to the public. Locations are listed under the farm name and the Rock Rapids location will at the Lyon County Fairgrounds. This year the gardens feature annuals, herbs and an assortment of vegetables that originated on the continents of Africa, Asia, the Americas and Europe. Ten cultivars of basil will be grown along with eight cultivars of rudbeckia (black-eyed Susan), marigolds, 12 varieties of summer squash and a variety of container plants. The schedule:
Northwest – Sutherland, July 25, 6:30 p.m.
Northwest – Rock Rapids (Lyon County Fairgrounds), July 26, 6 p.m.
Armstrong, July 27, 6:30 p.m.
Southeast, July 28, 6:30 p.m.
Muscatine, July 29, 6:30 p.m.
Horticulture Station, Aug. 1, 6:30 p.m.
Northern, Aug. 2, 6:30 p.m.
McNay, Aug. 4, 6:30 p.m.
Northeast, Aug. 6, 4 p.m.
FALL FIELD DAYS
Neely-Kinyon Research and Demonstration Farm*
Aug. 24, 4 p.m. The farm is 2 miles south of Greenfield on Highway 25, 1 mile east and a half-mile north. Organic topics will be discussed.
Northwest Research and Demonstration Farm
Aug. 31, 9 a.m. The Doon farm is located 2.5 miles east and 1 mile north of Doon.
Northern Research and Demonstration Farm
Sept. 1, 9:30 a.m. Kanawha
McNay Research and Demonstration Farm*
Sept. 6, 4:30 p.m. The farm is 4 miles south of the intersection of Highways 65 and 34, east 2.5 miles and north a quarter of a mile.
Northeast Research and Demonstration Farm
Sept. 8, 1:30 p.m. Nashua
Muscatine Island Research and Demonstration Farm
Sept. 13, 3 p.m. From Highway 61/92, turn east at G38/North Street.
Southeast Research and Demonstration Farm
Sept. 14, 1:30 p.m. Crawfordsville