KBS Long-Term Agroecosystem Research Third Annual Field Day

September 4, 2025 9:30AM - 1:30PM Kellogg Biological Station LTAR site, 9693 N 40th St. Hickory Corners, MI 49060

Join us for the 3rd annual KBS LTAR field day at the MSU Kellogg Biological Station (KBS) Long-Term Agroecosystem Research (LTAR) site!

Registration required for this free event. Morning refreshments, snacks, and lunch provided!

WHEN & WHERE?

September 4th, at the Kellogg Biological Station LTAR site

9693 N 40th St. Hickory Corners, MI 49060

WHO SHOULD COME?

Any and all agricultural and conservation professionals are invited to attend! Open to all!

WHAT WILL WE TALK ABOUT?

Early agronomic and ecological changes from the first four years of a system with a 5-crop rotation, no-till, cover crops, and precision ag technologies. New innovations that aim to improve agricultural sustainability and profitability. Opportunities and resources to facilitate the adoption of these practices on-farm.

ARE CREDITS OFFERED?

Yes, credits pending include:
1 RUP credit; 2.5 CCA credit
Phase 1 MAEAP training credit

THE DAY'S AGENDA

9:00 AM - Check-in & Morning Refreshments

9:30 AM - Welcome

9:50 - 10:35 AM - LTAR updates & how it can scale on-farm

Yield and Profitability
Agronomic updates on this year’s aspirational (ASP) and business-as-usual (BAU) systems, and discussion of agronomic and economic trends over the past three years.
Soil health
Updates on how ASP and BAU impact soil health, and early results and reflections from a research project that collected soil health data from over 90 farms in 39 counties across Michigan, including 25 farms with weekly soil health and greenhouse gas data.

10:35 - 11:35 AM - Farming Innovations

Cover crops - new ideas and data
Nitrification inhibitors
Short corn
Slug management
Precision inputs with drones and demo

11:45 - 12:30 PM - Facilitating the adoption of ASP practices

NRCS practice standards and resources
Sustainability focused agronomists as part of your farm partnership
Landowner/renter relationships for conservation
Connecting with MAEAP and Conservation District staff

12:30 - 1:30 - Free Lunch & Networking

During lunch: Contribute feedback to help us design the next phase of the Aspirational treatment at the KBS LTAR. What new innovations do you want to see us research?

1:30 - 2:00 PM - (Optional) Rainfall Simulator demonstration