Agronomy Field Day focuses on farm financial fitness

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Farmers trying to balance weak crop prices and rising input costs can learn more about farm financial fitness at a field day sponsored by Purdue Extension, the Purdue Department of Agronomy, the Indiana Soybean Alliance and the Indiana Corn Marketing Council.

The event will be held on Sept. 7 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Purdue’s Agronomy Center for Research and Education, 4540 U.S. 52 W, West Lafayette, IN.

“Effective crop management can help reduce financial stress,” said Karen Mitchell, Purdue Extension-Tippecanoe County educator and one of the program organizers. “With commodity prices expected to remain at relatively low levels for the foreseeable future, one way for producers to improve their bottom line is to implement more cost-effective crop management strategies.”

The program will begin with introductions and a weather outlook presented by Austin Pearson, Purdue Extension-Tipton County educator and climate specialist. Before lunch, participants will visit learning stations set up in the field where Purdue Extension specialists will provide practical tips for reducing operating costs and generating greater yield per acre. Presenters are:

* Bob Nielsen, agronomy professor and Purdue Extension corn specialist.

* Shaun Casteel, associate professor of agronomy and Purdue Extension soybean specialist.

* Bill Johnson, botany and plant pathology professor and Purdue Extension weed specialist.

* John Obermeyer, Purdue Extension integrated pest management specialist.

* Jim Camberato, agronomy professor and Purdue Extension soil fertility specialist.

* Fred Whitford, clinical engagement professor with the Purdue Pesticide Programs.

Lunch will be served at the Beck Agricultural Center followed by the Commodity Week Panel moderated by Todd Gleason, University of Illinois Extension media communications specialist and featuring Chris Hurt, Purdue agricultural economics professor, Joseph Hubbs, University of Illinois agricultural economist, and Chuck Shelby, Risk Management Commodities, Inc. President and CEO.

The field day is free but registration is required for lunch. Please register at http://bit.ly/2017AgFieldDay.  For more information, contact Mitchell at 765-474-0793, mitcheka@purdue.edu.

PARP, CEU and CCH credits have been applied for. There is a $10 fee for PARP credits. Cash or check (payable to Extension Ed Fund) will be accepted at the event. 

Writer: Darrin Pack, 765-494-8415, dpack@purdue.edu 

Source: Karen Mitchell, 765-474-0793, mitcheka@purdue.edu

Agricultural Communications: (765) 494-8415;
Shari Finnell, Manager/Media Relations and Public Information, sfinnell@purdue.edu  
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