Purdue News
Purdue News
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February 17, 2003 Expo to promote improved conservation, water quality practicesWEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – A daylong event to provide information on conservation tillage, one of the most important practices in reducing soil erosion, will take place March 4 in Auburn, Ind. The Tri-State Conservation Tillage Expo will run from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. EST in the Cord Building at Kruse Auction Park in Auburn, Ind., located along Interstate 69. Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service, the St. Joseph Watershed Initiative and other organizations have joined to make the event possible. "Conservation tillage, especially no-till, is considered one of the most effective practices used to reduce soil erosion and nutrient and pesticide runoff," said Jim Lake, Extension soil conservation specialist. "Increasing the use of conservation tillage in the St. Joseph River Watershed is critical to enhancing the source water quality of Fort Wayne's drinking water supply." Private consultants and specialists will speak on a wide variety of conservation tillage topics including the use of geographic information systems (GIS) to evaluate tillage systems, balancing calcium and magnesium ratios, and monitoring the level of pesticides in the water supply. Ken Ferrie, agronomic consultant with Crop Tech Consulting and consulting field agronomist for Farm Journal Magazine, is this year's featured speaker. Ferrie will discuss his five-year study assessing the impact of uniform soil density on root development, crop yield and profits. Vertical tillage equipment, strip-till units, rotary harrows and no-till planter attachments also will be on display, and local chemical and seed suppliers will display their products and be available to meet with attendees. Expo tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. This cost includes coffee, doughnuts, lunch and refreshments at the show. To receive program flyers and/or purchase tickets, contact the St. Joseph Watershed Initiative at (260) 426-4637 Ext. 3, or e-mail kirby-thompson@iaswcd.org. Writer: Michelle Betz, (765) 494-8402, news_students@aes.purdue.edu Source: Jim Lake, (765) 494-8383, jlake@purdue.edu Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722; Beth Forbes, bforbes@aes.purdue.edu; https://www.agriculture.purdue.edu/AgComm/public/agnews/ Related Web site:
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