1:00 to 3:30 pm
Tuesday August 23, 2005
USDA-NRCS Big Flats Plant Materials Center
3266-A State Route 352, Corning, NY
On the program:
Bring your ideas and questions!
For more information call
Thomas Björkman at Cornell University
315-787-2218
Driving directions. Take Interstate 86/ Route 17 to exit 48 (East Corning). Follow State Route 352 east for 1.5 miles to the center.
Who is involved. The Northeast Buckwheat Growers Association (NBGA) will hold the 10th Annual Buckwheat Field Day in Batavia, NY on Tuesday August 23, 2005 at 1:00 pm. All growers who are currently growing buckwheat or who are considering its cultivation are welcome to attend. The program is organized by Cornell University researcher Thomas Björkman, in cooperation with The USDA Natrual Resources Conservation Service, Cornell Cooperative Extension and The Birkett Mills. The event is free, and preregistration is not necessary.
Program. On the program will be field demonstrations of the effects of planting methods. Since planting is the major management decision, the influence of seeding depth and rate, as well as field preparation will be seen. In addition, there will be a hands-on practical for determining seed set and potential yield a month before harvest. The farmer-to-farmer exchange of knowledge on production issues is always popular.
The abundant hot weather this summer may have caused heat blasting. The southern limit of the Eastern buckwheat region is set by the need to avoid excessive heat during bloom. The past two years have been free of heat injury throughout the region, but it may be common this year. In-field demonstrations will provide an opportunity to learn to diagnose how much heat blasting fields have suffered. Some areas were quite dry at planting time, which made the decision on planting depth more challenging.
Another in--field demonstrations will show the effect of altering seeding depth. Current efforts to tailor buckwheat's weed suppressing ability to modern cultural practices will be highlighted. Plant populations are often increased to improve weed control. A plant-population demonstration will show the consequences for weed growth and on buckwheat production and standability. In addition, new breeding lines will be seen that are being tailored for cover-crop use.
Finally, PMC director Martin Van der Grinten will show some of the new conservation plants available for improving the soil and landscape around the farm.
About the Big Flats PMC. Click here to learn more about this center for developing conservation plants for the northeast US.
About NBGA. The Northeast Buckwheat Growers Association, founded in 1996, has 140 members from the buckwheat producing areas of the Northeast. Most of the members, and acres are in New York and Pennsylvania. There are also members in Maine, Quebec, Massachusetts, Ontario, Ohio and West Virginia. This crop was well known to all farmers in the region in the 19th century, but knowledge about raising it is now harder to find. The NBGA was founded to help bring together experienced buckwheat farmers and researchers so that the knowledge can be passed on. This field day has become a good place to strengthen and refresh buckwheat-growing expertise. When grown properly, the crop can play an important role on many farms. Membership in NBGA is open to all Northeast buckwheat producers, and those who are considering producing buckwheat. More information is available on the web at www.nysaes.cornell.edu/hort/buckwheat/ or by calling Dr. Björkman at 315-787-2218.
Modifed 14 August, 2005 by TB