K-State Ag Research Center-Hays to host fall field day

HAYS, Kan. – Kansas State University's Agricultural Research Center at Hays will hold its Fall Field Day, this year titled "Every Drop Counts: Maximizing Crop Water Use" on Wednesday, Aug. 22.

"This year, maybe more than ever, it's important for western Kansas producers to be aware of the latest research related to maximizing water resources," said Bob Gillen, head of K-State's Western Kansas Agricultural Research Centers. "In July alone, the Hays area had 0.22 inch of precipitation, well below a normal average of 3.86 inches. Cumulative precipitation, January through July this year totaled 8.23 inches compared with 15.11 inches the area normally receives."

The field day, to be held at the research center located at 1232 240th Ave. in Hays, begins with registration at 8:30 a.m. and the program at 9:00 a.m. Presentations and K-State presenters include:

Historical Perspective for 2011-2012 Drought – Bob Gillen;

Water Requirements for Western Kansas Crops – Loyd Stone, soil scientist;

Drought Impacts on Sorghum Growth – Ramasamy Perumal, sorghum breeder;

Conserving Moisture with Tillage and Residue Management – DeAnn Presley, soil scientist;

Alternative Row Spacing and Plant Populations – Lucas Haag, cropping systems agronomist;

Crop Rotation and Fallow Efficiency – Rob Aiken, crops research scientist;

Managing Weeds Under Stressful Conditions – Phil Stahlman, weed scientist; and

The Challenge of High Nitrates in Corn and Sorghum Silage – John Jaeger, beef cattle scientist.

Complimentary coffee and donuts will be available in the morning and a barbecue lunch will be served.

More information is available at www.wkarc.org or by calling 785-625-3425.