North Carolina agriculture continues to invest in ag research to advance agricultural production in the state. A number of upcoming Field Days will showcase some of the work being done with tobacco, turfgrass, horticulture crops, corn and soybeans.
- We have great ag research universities here in the state with N.C. State University in Raleigh and N.C. A&T State University in Greensboro.
- Our state’s continued investment in agricultural research has paid big dividends for our ag industry.
- Through the research of new plant varieties, new production techniques, new technology and equipment, and emerging crops at our state’s 18 research stations, it removes the guess work for farmers.
- And that means farmers can confidently use new methods or grow new varieties knowing that they will work and grow well in North Carolina soils.
- In July and August, there are a number of field days planned to showcase some of the research being done across the state and to provide updates to growers.
- The N.C. State Tobacco Field Day is held July 22 in Oxford and the Northeast Ag Expo Summer Field Day will be July 31 in Elizabeth City.
- In August, the Blackland Farm Manager Tour will be held Aug. 6 in Columbia, the Turfgrass Field Day will be held Aug. 13 in Raleigh, the Mountain Horticulture Field Day will be Aug. 14 in Mills River and the Southwest Piedmont Corn and Soybean Field Day will be held Aug. 16 in Shelby.
- I am not able to attend every Field Day, but over the years I have been to a number of them and I think they are invaluable for growers, especially as they have to closely manage every cost and try to increase their yields.
- At the Blackland Tour, for example, there will be reports on nitrogen and potassium management in corn, the potential to use Crimson Clover to reduce fertilizer nitrogen needs, biocontrols for corn disease and late-season soybean management.
- The research process is not a quick process and it can involve years of trials, but once research has vetted an idea, a production method or technology, you know as a grower what to expect if you change up what you are doing.
- I am proud of the work of our university and our research stations.