On June 15, the Saginaw Valley Research and Extension Center (SVREC) hosted Wheat Field Day. The SVREC is one of 13 outlying research centers operated by Michigan State University (MSU) AgBioResearch and MSU Extension. During Wheat Field Day, 185 people attended to learn about new varieties, disease management, weed control, nutrient management and sprayer application technology.
The Michigan Wheat Program board announced its commitment to provide $700,000 in support over the next five years to assist MSU in purchasing additional acreage for wheat research. The commitment allows MSU to purchase 150 acres adjacent to the current bean and sugar beet research farm in Frankenmuth. The funding will solidify the land resources to conduct research to further improve the yield, profitability and environmental sustainability of wheat in Michigan cropping systems. It will also allow dedicated crop rotation trials with other key agricultural crops.
The Michigan Wheat Program board of directors presents a check to Michigan State University during the announcement of their donation of $700,000 over the next 5 years to assist MSU in adding additional land to the Saginaw Valley Research & Extension Center in Frankenmuth. The land will be utilized for dedicated wheat research for years to come. Those in photo left to right: Paul Horny, Ray VanDriessche, Jim Kells, Joe Cramer, Doug Buhler, Carl Sparks, Frank Vyskocil, Art Loeffler, Bill Hunt, Dean Kantola, Dave Milligan and Sally McConnachie.
During the event, Marty Chilvers, assistant professor in the Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences, and Martin Nagelkirk, senior MSU Extension wheat and crops educator, led a significant discussion about stripe rust because of the unprecedented high infection level in Michigan. Eric Olson, assistant professor in the Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences, presented other key topics addressing various management practices.
Dennis Pennington, senior MSU Extension educator and wheat systems specialist, conducted a sprayer demonstration with six nozzle configurations designed to provide the best coverage of fungicides for head scab control.
“The field day is a great partnership between MSU researchers, MSU Extension staff, AgBioResearch staff and the Michigan Wheat Committee,” he said.
I’d like to send a huge thanks to our colleagues that put together the successful event. We look forward to the future of the research and extension at the SVREC with the continued support of our partners.
MSU Extension Spotlight 