By CINDY LADAGE
Illinois Correspondent GOLCANDA, Ill. — The University of Illinois Dixon Springs Ag Center has planned a field day for Aug. 2, to feature vegetables, field crops and swine production.
Farmers taking advantage of the visit will receive a free lunch and have opportunity to view an antique tractor display.
The event runs 8 a.m.-noon and is a great chance to learn about production of pumpkins, tomatoes and soybeans. Visitors will learn about a study that compares organic production to integrated pest management and conventional production systems. This study may be especially interesting for those interested in organic food production.
Jeff Kindhart, horticulturist, said, “We have several tomato projects this year, including some pesticide trial work. The worm in the tomato is often the same as in the sweet corn.”
For those in organic production, he pointed out, “If you pick the wrong variety, the difference is not hundreds, but thousands, of dollars.
“There is another ag station in St. Charles, Illinois, but what does well in one area is not necessarily what does well in another. That is one of the reasons we need regional research,” he added.
Annette Campbell of the UoI Mt. Vernon extension office added, “The agronomy field tour will highlight insect problems of 2007, foliar fungicides for corn and soybeans, weed control and no-till corn following corn.
“An agronomy classroom session focuses on grain marketing outlook, managing wheat against Mother Nature, and the web soil survey tool.”
Along with crop production information, the tour is providing a swine tour which will include the pros and cons of outdoor hog production, a comparison of medicated versus non-medicated nursery feeds and discussion of whether raising specialty meat really pays.
Advance registration is requested by calling 618-695-2441. The Center is located 25 miles south of Harrisburg and 25 miles north of Paducah, Ky., on Illinois Route 145.
For details, visit http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/regions/ag
For more information, contact Steve Ebelhar, agronomist, at 618-695-2790; Karla Hart, veterinarian, at 618-695-3554; or Kindhart at 618-695-2444. |
