St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
July 18, 2014
Source: Minnesota Department of Agriculture
Organic farmer Floyd Hardy works hard to manage weeds, protect soil and reduce fuel use end expense. Hardy is testing whether planting his soybeans into a small grain such as triticale will provide natural weed control. This spring, he planted winter triticale (rather than spring triticale) at several different seeding rates. The winter triticale variety is important, because without the cold, the triticale won’t flower at the right time and keep the weeds at bay. He then planted soybeans amongst the triticale and is studying its weed control effectiveness.
Consulting agronomist Glen Borgerding will join Hardy to talk about how the triticale demonstration is performing this year. They will also cover other innovative weed control strategies with field day participants. Visitors should dress for the weather and for walking.
Hardy farms 220 acres and has been certified organic since 2000. His trial is supported by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s Sustainable Agriculture Demonstration Grant Program: www.mda.state.mn.us/grants/grants/demogrant.aspx. Learn about other on-farm research and demonstrations in the MDA’s Greenbook: www.mda.state.mn.us/greenbook.
What: Free, farm field day demonstrating triticale’s potential to suppress weeds in soybeans
Who: Farmer Floyd Hardy: (218) 764-3122
When: Friday, July 25, 2014: 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Where: 18055 Woodrow Road, Brainerd, Minnesota
Directions: From Brainerd, go east on State Hwy 18 for 9 miles. Turn left on County Rd. 8 and go 3 miles to County Rd. 159. Turn left on County Rd. 159, and go ¼ mile to Fire Number 20240.