LANSING, Mich. – Wheat growers planning to attend the Michigan Wheat Program’s 14th annual Summer Field Day at the MSU Saginaw Valley Research & Extension Center (SVREC) should register now. The program is June 16 at SVREC, 3775 S. Reese Rd., Frankenmuth. Things kick off at 8:15 a.m. with check-in and breakfast. The plot tour wagons roll out at 9 a.m. The day’s events will conclude at 2:30 p.m.

“Our Summer Field Day program is a great way for wheat farmers to see for ourselves what’s happening with our grower-funded research,” said Jeffery Krohn, chairman of the nine-member Michigan Wheat Program board and a wheat farmer from Owendale. “We visit the SVREC plots to see new varieties and nitrogen use efficiency work, along with plots on weed control, disease challenges, soil fertility and the new innovative planting strategies including the 5-inch drill.”

A new presentation this year will cover the utilization of a 5-inch drill purchased by the organization. Michigan State University researchers noticed a trend of 5-inch rows and the positive results growers were receiving. Researchers were intrigued enough to request funding from the Michigan Wheat Program board.

Dr. Maninder Singh will talk about the project out in the field, share details of his initial work and answer questions from growers.

The full agenda for the morning wagon tours is:  

8:15 a.m. - Plant Diagnostics Jan Byrne, MSU Plant Diagnostics Center

(Bring your plants with you to field day for diagnosis)

9 a.m.  Welcome and Introductions, Krohn

9:05 a.m. - Plot Presentations via wagon tour

- Weed Control - Dr. Christy Sprague, Lauryn Wishowski  

- Wheat Soil Fertility Problems and Solutions - Dr. Kurt Steinke

- Disease Challenges and Management - Dr. Marty Chilvers, Keeley Satterfield

- Innovative Wheat Planting Strategies - Dr. Manni Singh, Wallas Mendes da Silva, Patrick Copeland

- Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE) Varieties - Dennis Pennington, Eric Olson Wheat - Variety Development - Dr. Eric Olson

12:30 - Lunch

After lunch, the field day switches gears to other informative presentations that impact wheat producers. That schedule is:

1:30 p.m. - Special Presentations, Krohn

1:40 p.m. - Ag Bio Update, James Averill & George Smith, MSU Ag Bio Research

1:50 p.m. - Michigan Forever Green Project, Monica Jean, MSUE

2 p.m. - Michigan Wheat Crop Harvest Expectations/Reminders, Dennis Pennington, MSU Wheat Specialist

2:30 p.m. - Awarding of 2-1A & private core and 3 CCA Credits, Jenna Falor and Monica Jean, MSUE

2:35 p.m. - Adjourn, Krohn

There is no cost to attend the field day. To ensure an accurate count for lunch, wagon seating and handout materials, please RSVP at www.miwheat.org under the “Action Needed: Sign Up” section on the home page. Or you may register by calling 1-888-WHEAT01 (888-943-2801).