The Michigan Wheat Program is carrying on its tradition of hosting a field day, but this year’s event is virtual. Registration is live for the Michigan Wheat Program’s 2020 Virtual Summer Field Day, which is set for 8 to 11 a.m. June 10.

“We have a lot of information to share with our growers, and I am personally pleased that our researchers were able to quickly capture videos and photos to represent their work, and to present their information in this online meeting format,” says Dave Milligan, chairman of the nine-member MWP board and a wheat farmer from Cass City.

“Our farmers have adopted lots of leading-edge technology in recent years, and we believe they’re ready to take on this new virtual format — at least for 2020,” Milligan says.

Topics for the program include disease and weed control, fertility, seed singulation, new varieties, and establishing a good wheat stand.

The full agenda for the three-hour, free, online conference includes:

Welcome. Dave Milligan, chairman, Michigan Wheat Program; and Brian Horgan, chairman, MSU Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences

Research presentations. Christy Sprague, weed control; Manni Singh and Dennis Pennington, precision planting; Marty Chilvers and Martin Nagelkirk, disease; Dennis Pennington, planting date/seeding rate and field scouting report; Kurt Steinke, Start Right to Finish Well: Wheat grain and straw production; Eric Olson, variety improvement

Regional crop reports from MSU Extension. Paul Gross, Bruce MacKellar, Monica Jean, Christian Tollini, Bob Battel, Ricardo Costa, Martin Nagelkirk and Dennis Pennington

Report on new Michigan Wheat Yield Contest. Jody Pollok-Newsom, MWP executive director

Credits and wrap-up. The program has approval for four restricted-use pesticide credits and three certified crop adviser credits

Farmers interested in attending the event, should visit miwheat.org and click on Summer Field Day under the “What’s Hot” heading in the left column. The detailed agenda is located in this area. Alternatively, growers may also register via phone at 1-888-WHEAT01. 

An email or cellphone number is required so that the code for joining the Virtual Field Day may be sent to you, as well as log-in practice times before the event. Given that this is a first-time virtual wheat event, there also may be last-minute information.

Day of the event. Early “check-in” is at 7:40 a.m. June 10. Michigan Wheat will staff a “help” phone number to answer questions and facilitate growers having troubles accessing the meeting.

The MWP is a checkoff organization funded by the state’s wheat farmers who grow wheat in 50 of Michigan’s 83 counties. The Michigan Wheat Program promotes the state’s wheat industry by funding and supporting the strategic priorities of wheat farmers by working with input suppliers, seed producers, millers, end users and consumers. Research and grower education are top priorities for the organization.

Source: MWP, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.