Past Activities
Winter Camelina Open House & Field Day
The University of Minnesota Forever Green Initiative and the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI) invited processors, food entrepreneurs, culinary professionals, growers, and the curious public to an open house event on June 11, 2019 at the Southern Research and Outreach Center (12298 350th Avenue, Waseca, MN).
Attendees learned about winter camelina, an exciting new oilseed crop currently in the research and development phase, which has the potential to transform food, fuel and feed in Minnesota. University of Minnesota and USDA-ARS lead current research efforts for camelina, which shows great promise as a plant-based protein source and produces a high quality, edible oil with high levels of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acid and vitamin E when pressed. Furthermore, the seed meal remaining after oil processing is useful as a nutritious FDA-approved livestock feed.
The Field Day event highlighted current research and work underway to launch winter camelina into Minnesota’s agricultural landscape. Visitors will see winter camelina growing in the field, learn from UMN agronomists best production practices and sample food prepared using camelina oil. In addition, an oil press, provided by AURI, will press camelina seed to show how the oil and meal is extracted and the UMN Food Science department will be on-hand talking about the many potential opportunities for end-uses of camelina. A lunch featuring food prepared using camelina oil was served.
Event:
Cropping System Economics Workshop
Learn how to properly evaluate financial, economic, and environmental tradeoffs among alternative cropping systems. Includes exposure to cropping system concepts and application of models to compare alternative cropping systems. A professional development opportunity for Extension specialists and agents.
Skype Meeting.
9:00am – 10:00am Central Time
Date:
February 8, 2019
City:
Virtual, ND
Contact:
David Ripplinger
Phone: 701.231.5265
E-mail: david.ripplinger@ndsu.edu
Web site: https://meet.lync.com/ndusbpos-ndus/david.ripplinger/N6NJZO9F
Please register at: https://tinyurl.com/yc6lvvrr if you plan to attend.
Event:
Soil & Salinity Economics Workshop
Learn how to properly evaluate financial, economic, and environmental tradeoffs among alternative soil health management strategies. Includes coverage of short- and long-term impacts and application of spreadsheet models to compare soil management practices. A professional development opportunity for Extension specialists and agents.
Skype Meeting.
9:00am – 10:00am Central Time
Date:
February 22, 2019
City:
Virtual, ND
Contact:
David Ripplinger
Phone: 701.231.5265
E-mail: david.ripplinger@ndsu.edu
Web site: https://meet.lync.com/ndusbpos-ndus/david.ripplinger/1N2U25W2
Please register at: https://tinyurl.com/yc6lvvrr if you plan to attend.
Soil Health Bus Tour
NDSU Soil Health Bus Tour on July 25-26
On farm replicated trails
On-farm trials were conducted with the new interseeder in Rutland and Gardner, ND in 2017. All nutrient cycling studies in both corn and soybean were done in the on-farm replicated trials (results in Objective 1d).
In Morris, MN 5 acres were planted with winter camelina in the fall of 2016. In May 2017, soybean was relayed planted into standing camelina and camelina seed was harvested at the end of June. Strips of cover crops (winter camelina, winter rye, and no cover crop) were planted during the R7 and R5 stage in soybean and corn respectively at the Chad Roloffson’s farm in Barrett, MN on September 17, 2017. The cover crops were planted using a modified High-Boy Avenger air seeder. One set of cover crop strips was planted with the seeds being placed at the soil surface, while the other set of strips was planted with the seeds being blown into the air above the crop to simulate airplane seeding. Additionally, a no-till drill was used to plant the cover crops via direct seeding into spring wheat residue. Cover crop establishment was visually assessed in October. The cover crops established well in standing corn, however cover crop establishment failed in soybean due to herbicide residual activity.
The results of alfalfa-corn intercropping in 2016 and 2017 showed a reduction in maize grain yield, thus on-farm establishment of this system needs to be studied further. On-farm replicated trials of alfalfa-corn intercropping will be considered for 2018 season.
Extension activities:
On February 1, Dr. Wick and cooperating farmers conducted a farmer mentoring workshop for 20 North Dakota State College of Science students. These students are generally young farmers from the region who are enrolled in a two year agricultural program and have a specific interest in using cover crops on their farms. The Soil and Soil Water Workshop, 2018 at the Fargodome included a presentation to 225 crop consultants, farmers, and ag-industry representatives, the Corn and Soybean Expo in Fargo February 13 included a cover crop presentation and update by Dr. Wick to over 500 farmers with considerable interaction. Dr. Wick and her colleague Jodi Dejong-Hughes from University of Minnesota also addressed 150 crop consultants at the Advanced Crop Advisors Workshop, February 14, 2018. On February 15, Dr. Wick presented to 75 MinnDak Sugar Beet Coop growers about including cover crops in the corn, soybean and wheat phases of their rotation. The outreached as extended beyond the borders of North Dakota, with Chris Augustine, Soil Health Area Specialist from Minot, using Dr. Wick’s information in a presentation to 200 farmers at a Soil Health day in Mitchell, SD February 15, 2018.
The economic framework that incorporates environmental impacts was delivered as part of the Farm Business Management in-service in November, 2017, as part of three face-to-face local trainings in January and February 2018, and developed into an input management packaged program for county agents to deliver in February 2018.
