12th Buckwheat Field Day

12th Annual Northeast Buckwheat Field Day

August 29, 2006

1:00 to 3:30 pm
Tuesday August 29, 2006

Vegetable Research Farm, New York State Agricultrual Experiment Station, Cornell University, Geneva, NY

Program.

Field demonstrations of the effects of planting methods. The focus will be on achieving a good stand at minimum cost. In particular, methods that reduce the fuel requirement are being tested.
Abundant rain, like we have had this summer, can cause poor stands. Management practices that improve the chances of a good stand will be discussed.
Hot weather during peak bloom has caused heat blasting. In-field demonstrations will provide an opportunity to learn to diagnose how much heat blasting fields have suffered.
Current efforts to tailor buckwheat’s weed suppressing ability to modern cultural practices will be highlighted. In addition, new breeding lines will be seen that are being tailored for cover-crop use.
The farmer-to-farmer exchange of knowledge on production issues is always popular.
Growers will prioritize their production limitations and research and extension needs. These priority lists are critical for obtaining state funding.

For more information. Contact Thomas Björkman at Cornell University. 315-787-2218 or tnb1@cornell.edu

Driving directions. 1097 County Road 4, about a mile west of the Geneva Experiment Station towards Seneca Castle. To get there from the NYS Thruway, take the Geneva exit (Exit 42), then go west on Rt. 96 to County Road 6. Go south to County Rd. 4. To get there from the south, go to Rts 5&20 in Geneva, then to Co Rd 6 on the west edge of town. Watch for the Tractor Store on the corner. Take Co Rd 6 north to Co Rd. 4. Watch for signs.

Who is involved. The program is organized by Cornell University researcher Thomas Björkman, in cooperation with Cornell Cooperative Extension and The Birkett Mills. The event is free, and preregistration is not necessary.

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.

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Modifed 14 August, 2006 by TB