UMN Extension hosts “Strategic Farming” Webinar Series
Written by Jonathan Eisenthal
Every Wednesday since early January, from 8:30 to 9 a.m., the best minds in ag research in the north central U.S. are speaking to the camera. These researchers are giving a laser-focused, ten-minute talk followed by a discussion based on audience questions on their research findings. The series, specifically geared toward farmers, is called “Strategic Farming: Let’s Talk Crops!”
This week, Dr.. Bob Neilsen, “The Corn Guy” from Purdue University, will present on one of his special interests, “The nuts and bolts of on-farm research: Doin’ it right!”
“He’s going to talk about how to lay out the trials correctly. The importance of randomization and replication,” said Liz Stahl, University of Minnesota Extension Educator in Crops, and the organizer of the webinar series.
Stahl says, “Neilson and our own Dr. Seth Naeve, Extension Soybean Specialist, will explain why you shouldn’t simply split your field in half to compare two different hybrids or types of management. And even for those who don’t intend to do their own research, knowing what goes into it helps you to evaluate the claims that you read in various marketing pieces and summaries of research, to help you make decisions that are right for your farm.”
The main aim of the webinar series is to get up-to-the-minute research findings into the hands of farmers. It’s highly portable, too. If you happen to be on your way somewhere at that hour, you can play it on your phone and listen while you drive.
“We see this program as a direct link to farmers,” said Stahl. “What’s really incredible to me, personally, is all the feedback we get from farmers, learning directly from them, what they are up to, what they are trying…It’s a two-way street, it’s a give-and-take type of thing. I learn something new every time.”
Recently, the series featured a panel on cover crops, with Assoc. Prof. Axel Garcia y Garcia from the U of M Extension Southwest Outreach and Research Center, Lamberton; Dr. Anna Cates, U of M Extension soil health specialist; and Assoc. Prof. Gregg Johnson at the Southern Research and Outreach Center in Waseca.
“Strategic Farming: Let’s Talk Crops!” goes through March 24. Each session typically draws an audience of 90-100 participants. Participants may submit questions as part of their registration, or submit questions during the session using the chat function. Typically, more than half of the presentation time is devoted to questions, and the presenters are happy to engage with attendees.
To register for an upcoming session or to view recordings of previous sessions, go to: z.umn.edu/strategic-farming. The program is free to attend.
Minnesota Corn is a proud sponsor of “Strategic Farming: Let’s Talk Crops!”.
