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| MAES field days showcase latest in ag research and management |
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EAST LANSING, Mich. — Leading-edge research and demonstration projects ranging from advances in fruit, vegetable and grain production, and weed, insect and disease control to cattle breeding techniques, high-yield forage testing, robotic milking and biofuel research will be featured throughout the summer at a number of Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station (MAES) field days and open houses.
“These field days are very important because they provide a really good opportunity to show the public some of the innovative research that’s taking place at these facilities,” said MAES Associate Director Doug Buhler.
“The research conducted at these stations provides growers and commodity groups with the critical information they need to remain viable and competitive. Michigan citizens reap the results of this work in the form of new or improved foods and plants, new production methods and enriched lifestyles.”
MAES has on-campus facilities and 14 outlying field stations located across Michigan that support the work of more than 300 scientists in six colleges at Michigan State University: Agriculture and Natural Resources, Communication Arts and Sciences, Engineering, Natural Science, Social Science and Veterinary Medicine.
The MAES field day schedule for this summer is as follows:
•July 20: Clarksville Horticultural Experiment Station Field Day. This station hosts research on small fruits, tree fruit, wheat scab and weed control.
•July 29: Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center 21st annual Viticulture Day. Viticulture is the science and study of producing grapes. In addition to viticulture research, activities at this center include research on cherry rootstocks and peach production.
•Aug. 12: Montcalm Research Farm Potato and Dry Bean Field Day. Scientists at this facility study potato varieties, fertility, and weed, insect and disease control.
•Aug. 14: Lake City Experiment Station Forage Demonstration Day. This station hosts research on cattle breeding techniques, high-yield forage testing and virus-free seed potato production.
•Aug. 19: Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Station Demonstration Day. Researchers at this station study pest management, value-added processing and marketing for grapes, plums, peaches, apricots, pears and cherries.
•Aug. 24: Saginaw Valley Research and Extension Center Field Day. Research from this center provides information on crop management, tillage techniques and environmentally friendly weed control to the state’s biggest dry bean and sugar beet production area.
•Sept. 8: W.K. Kellogg Biological Station (KBS) Field Day. This station is known worldwide for its research on tree breeding and genetics, planting techniques, and plantation establishment and management. KBS is also home to a new pasture-based dairy and robotic milking facility and the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center.
•Sept. 28: Trevor Nichols Research Complex Field Day. Researchers at this facility focus on finding the best ways to keep Michigan’s fruit pest-free while minimizing the environmental impact of pest control techniques.
Field days include farm tours, presentations and educational resources related to specific agriculture and natural resource issues. For more information on field day registrations, times and program agendas, visit www.maes.msu.edu/fieldday.htm |
| 7/15/2010 |
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