By NANCY VORIS
Indiana Correspondent

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Farmers can cultivate new crop production strategies during field days at Purdue University Agriculture Centers around Indiana. Four – in Farmland, Butlerville, Columbia City and Wanatah – will hold the free informational seminars in August.

“We try to bring up topics that are current and of interest with our clientele,” said Ed Farris, extension educator of agriculture and natural resources in Huntington County.

“The best thing is that it is an opportunity … to hear directly from a number of specialists from campus and to be a part of a Purdue research station. It’s important that farmers take some time to hear updates so they can improve their operations.”

Field days include the following:

Davis-Purdue Ag Center
6230 N. Indiana 1, Farmland
Aug. 17, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.

Demonstrations and topics include corn and soybean herbicides, weed control, impact of nematodes in cornfields, energy efficiency in grain drying, mini bulk container regulations and preparing to store the 2010 grain crop.

Speakers are from Purdue extension and the Indiana State Chemist’s office. Continuing education credits are offered to those who attend, and private applicator credits are available for $10. Hospital health screenings are also available.

Lunch is provided. Reservations should be made by Aug. 13 by calling Dan Kirtley at 765-584-2271.

Northeast-Purdue Ag Center
4821 E. 400 S., Columbia City
Aug. 19, 8 a.m.-1:15 p.m.

Workshop sessions will cover pest scouting and control strategies in northern Indiana, updates for corn and soybean weed management, corn and soybean disease issues of 2010 and managing grain bin aeration and grain drying issues.

Speakers include Purdue extension experts, plus a report from Jarod Chew of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture. A Private Applicator Recertification Program (PARP) regulatory topic also is planned. Farmers can receive private applicator credit, which costs $10.

Lunch is provided. Pre-registration is required by Aug. 16 and can be completed by contacting Ed Farris at the Purdue extension Huntington County office at 260-358-4826.

Pinney-Purdue Ag Center
11402 S. County Line Road, Wanatah
Aug. 25, 7:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. (CDT)
Twilight Program from 6-8 p.m.

Morning workshops include row spacing and seeding rates for corn, intentional soybean management, volunteer corn and the upcoming growth regulator soybeans, western bean cutworm, corn and soybean disease issues in 2010, seasonal nitrogen accumulation in corn and cover crops to trap nutrients and improve soils.

A health fair and agribusiness exhibits will be available from 7:30-10:30 a.m., including a $450 value health diagnostics panel, for only $45. Pre-registration is recommended, by calling 219-836-5799.

A pork chop lunch is provided with comments from Dr. Jay Akridge, dean of the Purdue College of Agriculture, and Dr. Chris Hurt, Purdue ag economist, speaking on crop economic opportunities for 2011.

The Twilight Program covers volunteer corn and the upcoming growth regulator soybeans, western bean cutworm, “Hitch Pins and Truck Hitches: Safety on Roads and in Fields” and a PARP regulatory topic. PARP credits will be available during day or night sessions for $10.

For more information, contact the Purdue extension LaPorte County office at 219-324-9407.

Southeast-Purdue Ag Center
4425 E. County Road 350 N., Butlerville
Aug. 26, 4-9:15 p.m.

Purdue extension experts will speak on 2,4-D resistant soybeans, herbicide resistant weeds, timber harvest and timber stand improvement, optical crop sensors, crop performance testing and intentional soybean management.

A dinner discussion panel will address triple stack, and a PARP topic will also be included with credits available. Pre-register by calling 812-689-6511.