June 26 field day will provide highlights of ag weather forecast and commercial hemp production

The Annual Spring Field Day at the ISU Northeast Research and Demonstration Farm will run from 1-4:10 p.m. Wednesday, June 26. Dennis Todey, Director of the Midwest Climate Hub, will kick-off the program in the Borlaug Learning Center, by providing his insights on crop weather for the 2019 growing season. Angie Rieck-Hinz, Extension agronomist, follows with a discussion of the likelihood of hemp production in Iowa for 2020, including development of regulations, current production practices and economic information from other states.

The on-farm wagon tour will feature Stephan Gailans, Research and Field Crops Director with Practical Farmers of Iowa, and Ed Zaworski, ISU field crops plant pathologist. Stephan will share his expertise on oat production and seeding cover crops into V6 corn, whereas Ed will discuss plant disease issues in a wet spring and considerations for foliar fungicide applications later in the season.

The field day is free and open to the public. It starts at the Borlaug Learning Center Headquarters on the ISU Northeast Research Farm and Demonstration Farm.

Directions to the farm: From Nashua at the junction of Highway 218 (Exit 220) and County Road B60, go west on B60 1.1 miles to Windfall Avenue, then south one mile to 290th Street, then east 0.2 miles to the farm. CCA credits will be available (2 CM, 1 PM, 0.5 SW). For more information about the event, call Terry Basol at 641-426-6801.