Events

The Conservation Technology Information Team and Delta Farmers Advocating Resource Management (Delta F.A.R.M.). Information-packed, one-day tour that will showcase innovative producers and partnerships recognized for finding solutions to Southern agriculture’s conservation challenges. Producers, legislators, government agencies, agribusiness, ag organizations, conservation groups, media and others will join the Conservation In Action Tour on May 31 in the Mississippi Delta. Area farmers and other experts will discuss water quantity and water quality concerns, monitoring, herbicide resistance, wildlife habitat management and more. The Conservation In Action Tour 2012 offers participants a unique opportunity to see Delta conservation first hand and participate in discussions about: nutrient reduction strategies to address hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico, management strategies to battle herbicide resistance, and the connection between wildlife habitat management and agricultural conservation. Learn more about and register for the Tour at www.ctic.org/CIATours. Registration includes an evening social on May 30, snacks, bus transportation, breakfast, lunch and dinner on the Tour. Early registration runs through May 1. For more information, contact Amber Gritter at (765) 494-9555.

Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. with the field tour beginning at 9 a.m., according to regional director Pat Colyer. Topics to be discussed by LSU AgCenter Research faculty during the field tour include: Mid-South cotton seed treatment trial, biocontrol of musk thistle, effect of zinc rate and source on corn yields, greenhouse tomato research, beef cattle research, disease management in field crops, soybean breeding and research, variety testing at Red River Research Station, forages to compliment bermudagrass and bahiagrass pastures. In addition to the field tour, a sponsored lunch will be provided at noon. The Red River Research Station is located at 262 Research Station Drive, south of Bossier City. More information is available from Colyer at (318) 741-7430. Please RSVP to Donna Reeves at (318) 741-7430, extension 1107.

“Water Sustainability in Agriculture” is the theme. The conference’s hosts are the University of Arkansas System of Agriculture and the UA Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences. The NABC was founded in 1988 and is a consortium of 36 leading agricultural research and teaching universities, government agencies and institutions. It is based at the campus of Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y. Registration for the conference is available at http://uark.edu/ua/afls1234/webforms/registration_nabc24.html. The keynote address will be delivered by Marc Andreini, research fellow at the University of Nebraska Daugherty Water for Food Institute, on water management in Africa. Other topic areas include: Agricultural adaptations to water needs, Water Management and Policy, Agriculture’s role in environmental and consumer issues, and Preparing for future challenges. More information is at the conference website at http://nabc24.uark.edu.

Coffee and doughnuts at 8:30 a.m., field tours begin at 9:00 a.m. Topics to be discussed by LSU AgCenter Research and Extension faculty during the field tour include: Using NDVI Readings for On The Go Applications Late Planting Date Effects on Corn Production; Insect Pest Management Issues & Research Weed Management Research Topics; Soil pH Effects on Plant Growth and Development; Planting Date and Choice of Maturity Group in Louisiana Soybean Production; Poultry Litter Compost Effects on Cotton Yield & Soil Fertility Management. Pest management and crop production updates will be provided following the field tour. Sponsored lunch will be provided at noon. Contact Donnie Miller, resident coordinator, at (318) 766-4607 or dmiller@agcenter.lsu.edu for information concerning the field day.