NDSU schedules a field day for cover crops, forages and intercrops on September 19
Opportunities to incorporate winter cover crops, forages and perennials into different cropping systems will be the focus of the NDSU Field Day on Tuesday, September 19.
The field day will focus on the benefits of growing alfalfa and other legumes in an intercropping system as well as new options for managing erodible and saline soils. (image courtesy)
FARGO, ND – Opportunities to incorporate winter cover crops, forages and perennials into various cropping systems will be the focus of the North Dakota State University (NDSU) Field Day on Tuesday, September 19.
Presenters will present and discuss the benefits of cover crops, perennials, and establishing clover in growing crops. Claire Kane, NDSU agronomist, and Marisol Berti, NDSU Department of Plant Sciences professor, lead the field day.
“Participants will have the opportunity to learn about cover crops and new perennial crops like kerenza,” Ken says. “Attendees will also be able to network with other participants who have experience incorporating cover crops and forages into their agricultural systems.”
The field day will begin with registration at 9 a.m. at the Hixon Research Site. Participants are responsible for their own transportation to Hixon, North Dakota, about 15 miles south of Fargo.
To reach the Hixson Research Site, take I-29 south out of Fargo to Kindred Exit 48 and turn east. Turn left (north) onto County Road 81, then drive a half mile until you see the field day flags.
A free lunch will be provided to all those who register online by September 12.
The lunch and afternoon session will be on the NDSU campus east of the intersection of 15th Ave N and Dakota Drive. Look for the white tent in the field east of Dakota Drive and west of the Dalrymple Research Greenhouse. The afternoon program will include walking tours of the campus research grounds and will conclude at 3:30 p.m.
Topics in the morning session at Hixon include:
- Corn, alfalfa, sorghum, and clover farming and biodiversity
- Cultivation of sunflowers and alfalfa
- Evaluation of crop rotations in cold climates and their impact on soil microorganisms
Topics in the afternoon session in Fargo include:
- Freeze tolerance in winter camelina
- Alfalfa rhizobia research
- Perennial wheat and kerenza research in North Dakota
- Cover crops and forage sorghum
“I’ve researched several cover crops within several cropping systems in North Dakota,” says Marisol Berti, NDSU professor of forage, cover crops and biomass production. “Planting alfalfa to corn, sunflower or sorghum has great potential to increase forage profitability.”
To register for lunch and find more information about the field day, visit: ndsu.ag/covercropday.
This field day is part of outreach efforts associated with multiple USDA-National Institute of Food and Agriculture grants awarded to North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station scientists and USDA-ARS researchers.
— NDSU Supplement
