Hettinger Research Extension Center hosts 2019 Field Tour

<p>John Rickertsen, NDSU research agronomist, presents information on some of the 48 varieties of field peas planted at the station this year. Protein content of field peas is becoming more important as new markets develop. “That’s where the market seems to be heading,” he said.</p>

<p>Becky Eikamp, a New Leipzig, N.D., farmer, wades into the test plots at the Hettinger Research Extension Center field tour. “We wanted to see what varieties are out there,” Becky said. “Seeing them helps us make better decisions. The field day is important to us because it helps us keep current on crop trends and new technology.”</p>

<p>Andrew Green, NDSU assistant professor and hard spring wheat breeder, shows producers some of the 53 spring wheat varieties enrolled in statewide trials. HREC is doing more work for NDSU spring wheat project this year. It added 1,500 plots to its trials. HREC is also researching hard white spring wheat varieties, with 1,500 early generation breeding plots. “There are some advantages to [white wheats]; the bakers and millers would like to go that direction,” said John Rickertsen, NDSU research agronomist.</p>

<p>Andrew Friskop, NDSU Extension plant pathologist, warned farmers to scout for fusarium head blight (scab) in wheat this year. Corn stubble releases thousands of spores, and above-average rainfall and humidity levels in June and July made wheat ripe for infection.</p>

<p>Three wheat heads infected with fusarium head blight (top) look different than three wheat heads with no infection (bottom).</p>

<p>Industrial hemp, grown for the first time at HREC, responded well to the weather conditions.</p>

<p>Burton Johnson, NDSU plant science professor, (yellow hat) discussed industrial hemp production, marketing and economics. HREC’s industrial hemp plots are part of the statewide trials.</p>