The North Dakota State University Williston Research Extension Center (WREC) will showcase dryland agronomy and horticulture at its annual field day on July 13 and host an irrigation field day on July 14.
The July 13 event begins with coffee and rolls at 8:30 a.m. CDT. The dryland crops tour starts at 9 a.m.
Topics to be highlighted during the dryland crop tour are:
* Durum wheat breeding and genetics
* Foundation seed increase program overview
* Interseeding demonstration plots
* Northern Pulse Growers Association marketing update
* Plant pathology research trials
* Soil health demonstration in cropping sequence study
* Weed control in drought situations
* Soybean and dryland cropping sequence research
A concurrent horticulture program starts at 9 a.m. in the Ernie French Center for those interested in flowers, gardening and fruit production.
Tom Kalb, NDSU Extension horticulturist, will speak about starting a square-foot garden and promising trees for western North Dakota. Kyla Splichal, WREC horticulture research specialist, will provide an update on the horticultural research being conducted at the center.
The dryland crops tour and horticulture tours will conclude with the dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony of the Williams County Soil Conservation District building.
At noon, the traditional barbecue chicken luncheon will be served. The luncheon is sponsored by area businesses.
In addition to the tours, a "Stump the Plant Doctor" booth will be set up from 8 to 8:45 a.m. and from noon to 12:45 p.m. Guests are encouraged to bring any plants, leaves or branches that are damaged, diseased or need identification to see if WREC staff can identify the problem or plant.
The afternoon session will focus on saline seep and pipeline reclamation and has been approved for 2.5 credits of soil and water management certified crop adviser continuing education units.
Topics include:
* Overview of oil and gas pipeline-disturbed soils
* What is saline seep and how does it form?
* Overview of pipeline installation and reclamation study
* Physical properties of pipeline-disturbed soils
* Soil health restoration after pipeline installations
* Salt-tolerant perennial grass forage and alfalfa variety selection for saline seep reclamation
* Saline seep reclamation progress update
The WREC is 4.5 miles west of Williston on U.S. Highway 2.
The irrigation field day on July 14 will be held at the NDSU Irrigated Nesson Research and Development Farm 23 miles east of Williston on North Dakota Highway 1804.
Refreshments will be served starting at 8:30 a.m., and the irrigated crop tour will begin at 9 a.m. with NDSU research and Extension specialists presenting highlights from experiments conducted at the Nesson Valley site.
Topics are:
* WREC irrigation research and information on variety trials conducted under irrigation
* High-tunnel vegetable production
* Fungicide management of fusarium head blight in durum and barley
* NDSU Foundation Seed increase program information
The irrigation field day will conclude with a noon luncheon sponsored by area businesses.
For more information, contact the WREC at 701-774-4315.
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