2014 Thumb Ag Research and Education Field Trials now available

Phil Kaatz<kaatz@msu.edu>, Michigan State University Extension - December 08, 2014

Educational sessions will present the 2014 growing season results from Michigan’s Thumb area.

Michigan State University Extension will host the 2014 Thumb Ag Review sessions beginning Wednesday, Dec. 10, as part of the 2014 Thumb Ag Day. The event will be held at the Ubly Heights Country Club, 2409 Atwater Road, Ubly, MI 48475, and runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Participants will receive MSU Extension’s Thumb Ag Research and Education (TARE) 2014 field trial results as part of the educational sessions held in the afternoon and a copy of the 2014 TARE book.

Four additional sessions will be held across the Thumb in Sanilac County on Dec. 12, Saginaw County on Dec. 17, Lapeer County on Dec. 17, and Tuscola County on Dec. 18. Information on how to find starting times, registration information, and the nearest location for the Thumb Ag Reviews can be found at the 2014 Thumb Ag Reviews website.

This program is intended for farmers, livestock producers, agribusiness retail sales and service professionals, and private crop consultants.

The Michigan field crops industry encountered another challenging year associated with delayed planting, declining commodity prices, rising input costs, rapidly evolving technologies and potential new pests.

Participants will receive three MDARD credits (Com. Core, Priv. Core, 1A) and three CCA credits for each session.

TARE utilizes a multi-county strategy for evaluating corn hybrids and soybean varieties as well as agronomic practices for corn, soybeans, forages and wheat. The intent is to provide information that can used to make sound economic, science-based management decisions for greater farm profitability. One unique aspect of TARE is that a collaboration of farmers, agribusiness representatives and MSU Extension educators serve as an advisory board to provide oversight for the project’s direction, finances and equipment needs.

For more information, contact MSU Extension educator Phil Kaatz at kaatz@msu.edu or 810-667-0341; Bob Battel at battelro@msu.edu or 989-269-9949; or Martin Nagelkirk at nagelkir@msu.edu or 810-648-2515.

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).