OSU Wheat Field Day set for May 12 in Lahoma

Friday, May 5, 2017

A wide range of information about crop varieties, markets and best management practices will be featured at the Oklahoma State University Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources’ Wheat Field Day near Lahoma on May 12.

The May 12 event will take place at DASNR’s North Central Research Station west of Lahoma, which itself is situated just west of Enid on Highway 60. On-site registration to the free and open-to-the-public field day begins at 8:30 a.m. Tours will begin at 9 a.m. and run through the morning. A sponsored free-of-charge lunch will be provided to participants.

“This highly popular annual wheat field day is an excellent opportunity for growers to evaluate wheat varieties in the replicated performance trial, compare them to others and what they have growing, and even get new ideas about wheat varieties they may want to try in the future,” said Josh Bushong, OSU Cooperative Extension area agronomist.

Bushong added participants will hear from and be able to ask questions of and interact with OSU experts who will provide research-based insights about improved varieties and best management practices relative to getting the most out of one’s crop.

Kim Anderson, OSU Cooperative Extension grain marketing specialist, will provide practical tips about how producers can adapt to changes in the wheat market.

Brian Arnall, OSU Cooperative Extension precision nutrient management specialist, will speak about drilling in topdress nitrogen.

Josh Lofton, OSU Cooperative Extension cropping systems specialist, and Alex Rocateli, OSU Cooperative Extension forage systems specialist, will provide the latest research-based insights relative to sorghum and forage sorghum, respectively.

Brett Carver, OSU Wheat Genetics Chair and leader of the university’s Wheat Improvement Team, will update participants about DASNR’s latest wheat breeding efforts and results. The five most popular wheat varieties planted in Oklahoma last year were all developed by Carver and his fellow scientists.

Bob Hunger, OSU Cooperative Extension wheat pathologist, will provide a timely and relevant update about wheat diseases.

“A number of wheat diseases have been cropping up this year, both viral and fungal in nature,” Hunger said. “It is important producers are aware of the recommended measures to control or at least mitigate a disease outbreak, many of which revolve around planting time practices and variety selection. Attending the field day is a good way to review key aspects.”

Dave Marburger, OSU Cooperative Extension small grains specialist, will lead an on-site discussion about various wheat varieties and the importance of proper variety selection relative to the grower’s specific operational needs.

Misha Manuchehri, OSU Cooperative Extension small grains weed specialist, will provide the latest information about available herbicide technologies.

Tom Royer, OSU Integrated Pest Management coordinator, will provide insights about how to get the most out of wheat insect decisions in a low margin year.

Jason Warren, OSU Cooperative Extension soil and water conservation management specialist, will lead a discussion about inherent soil productivity and its importance to farming.

“Participants also will have an opportunity to speak with other producers who may be in situations quite similar to their own, and who may have practical insights of their own to share, neighbor to neighbor,” Bushong said.

Lunch is being sponsored by Farm Credit of Enid while refreshments are being sponsored by the Oklahoma Wheat Growers Association, P&K Equipment and Oklahoma Ag Credit.

The 2017 Lahoma Wheat Field Day is made possible by DASNR’s two state agencies: The statewide Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station system and the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service.

The North Central Research Station consists of 143 acres and is located in the heart of a key wheat producing area of the state from the standpoint of soil types, precipitation, temperature and elevation.