Iowa State University’s Muscatine Island Research Farm Field Day Set for Aug. 15

AMES, Iowa — Research on corn, soybeans and vegetables will be featured Aug. 15 during a field day at the Iowa State University’s Muscatine Island Research and Demonstration Farm.   The field day is scheduled from 1 to 4 p.m. at the farm, which is located in Fruitland at 111 North St. There is no charge for attending.   The farm serves commercial produce growers and farmers of agricultural crops. Melon production is popular in Fruitland due to its coarse, sandy glacial soil, groundwater that is close to the surface and a warmer, longer growing season than most of Iowa.   Topics scheduled to be presented at the field day include: •    Overview of research trials, Josh Michel and Dominic Snyder, agricultural specialists •    Biochar potato and sweet corn study, Ajay Nair, associate professor of horticulture •    Soybean variety trials and studies, Kevin Falk, agronomy graduate student •    Soybean cyst nematode trials and studies, Greg Tylka, professor of plant pathology and microbiology •    Local agronomic issues, Virgil Schmitt, extension field specialist   To register for the event or for more information about the farm, contact manager Joshua Michel at 563-262-8787 or jjmichel@iastate.edu; or visit the research farm’s website at:  http://farms.ag.iastate.edu/content/muscatine-island-research-and-demons....   The field day is sponsored by Iowa State Extension and Outreach and the Muscatine Island Research Farm Association.