Two of the three scheduled small grain field days are behind us this year, but this afternoon will be the third at the Piedmont Research & Extension Station near Salisbury. Dan Weathington, Executive Director of the NC Small Grains Association recaps the first field day near Rowland:
“The field days so far have been very successful. We started out last Tuesday in Rowland. We had updates on fertilizer recommendations, early or late time to plant timelines, seeding rates, fungicide and insecticide tests, row spacing and nitrogen timing. We had about 120 people attend the event.”
While many of the same plot trials were showcased Thursday in Beaufort County near Aurora, Weathington says the field day in the coastal Plain offered a couple of other features:
“On the tenth we moved down to Beaufort County where we had the same tests mentioned above, but there you have different situations since you are in the black lands. In both locations we had the opportunity to view some rust that invaded the plots. We have seen some striped rust this year, normally its just common rust. We were also able to see some Haitian fly damage as well.”
Weathington says that the demonstrations have offered good information for growers:
“It’s been a good show and tell to see these plots. These farmers have the opportunity to demonstrate what’s happening, what we need to look for at what time of the year and then any damage that might happen to the crop.”
The third and final field day is this afternoon is near Salisbury at the Piedmont Research and Extension Station. Weathington explains some of the trials in this field day:
“We will have updates with different planting dates, early or late, when to check tillers and when to apply nitrogen, among other things. We also have some barley tests going on up there so those interested in that crop should attend.”
And this afternoon’s event is rain-or-shine according to Weathington:
“If it does rain we have a big shelter there, and we will still have a program and get out to see the plots if at all possible between the showers. But we will definitely have the program and a lot of great information to share.”
The field day is at the gets underway at 4:00 pm with tours starting at 4:30 and a meal served at 6:30 pm.
For more information or directions, visit our calendar and view the event.
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