Don’t let a pandemic spoil your chance to hear the latest information about wheat production! Registration is live for the Michigan Wheat Program’s 2020 “Virtual” Summer Field Day set for Wednesday, June 10, from 8 to 11 a.m.
With MSU facilities closed to large groups, the Michigan Wheat Program is forging ahead with its Summer Field Day on-line. No car trip or hotel reservations needed.
“We have a lot of information to share with our growers, and I am personally pleased that our researchers were able to quickly capture videos and photos to represent their work, and to present their information in this on-line meeting format,” said Dave Milligan, chairman of the nine-member Michigan Wheat Program board and a wheat farmer from Cass City.
“Our farmers have adopted lots of leading-edge technology in recent years, and we believe they’re ready to take on this new “virtual” format – at least for 2020,” Milligan said.
Topics for the program include disease and weed control, fertility, seed “singulation,” upcoming new varieties and establishing a good wheat stand.
The full agenda for the three-hour, free, on-line conference includes:
Welcome
Dave Milligan, Chairman, Michigan Wheat Program
Brian Horgan, Chair, MSU Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences (invited)
Research Presentations
Dr. Christy Sprague – Weed Control
Manni Singh, Dennis Pennington – Precision Planting
Marty Chilvers, Martin Nagelkirk – Disease
Dennis Pennington – Planting Date/Seeding Rate and field scouting report
Dr. Kurt Steinke – Start Right to Finish Well: Wheat grain and straw production
Dr. Eric Olson – Variety Improvement
Regional Crop Reports from MSU Extension
Paul Gross, Bruce MacKellar, Monica Jean, Christian Tollini, Bob Battel, Ricardo Costa, Martin Nagelkirk, Dennis Pennington
Report on new Michigan Wheat Yield Contest
Jody Pollok-Newsom, MI Wheat Program Executive Director
Credits and Wrap Up
The program has approval for 4 RUP credits and 3 CCA credits.
Farmers interested in attending the event, should visit the Michigan Wheat Program’s website at www.miwheat.org and click on the Summer Field Day under the “What’s Hot” heading in the left column. The detailed agenda is also located in this area. Alternatively, growers may also register via phone at: 1-888-WHEAT01. An email or cell phone number is required so that the code for joining the Virtual Field Day may be sent to you as well as log-in practice times prior to the event. Given this is a first-time virtual wheat event, there may also be last-minute additional information.
Day of the event. Early “check-in” on June 10 is 7:40 am. Michigan Wheat will staff a “help” phone number to answer questions and facilitate growers having troubles accessing the meeting.
The MWP is a check-off organization funded by the state’s wheat farmers who grow wheat in 50 of Michigan’s 83 counties. The Michigan Wheat Program promotes the state’s wheat industry by funding and supporting the strategic priorities of wheat farmers by working with input suppliers, seed producers, millers, end users and consumers. Research and grower education are top priorities for the organization.
