August 20, 1998

Northeast Buckwheat Field Day - August 25, 1998

by Linda McCandless

Geneva, NY - The Fourth Annual Northeast Buckwheat Field Day will be held Tuesday, August 25, 1998, from 1 to 4 pm, at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Research Farm, 1097 County Road 4, Geneva, NY. This year's field day features:

• Variety Development for the Northeast
• A New Variety: Keukett
• Producing Certified Seed
• Diagnosing Crop Losses

Buckwheat is becoming an increasingly popular short-season cash crop. Though it is unlikely to be a farm's main crop, it has many beneficial properties that make it ideal for specific situations. Often, it can be a worthwhile part of an overall farm plan.

Some of the properties that make buckwheat so attractive are:

• Buckwheat fits into rotations at a time when fields might otherwise be idle.
• It can be grown as a cash crop when another crop fails.
• The check arrives within 90 days of sowing.
• It is inexpensive to grow because it requires no pesticides and little fertilizer.
• Buckwheat can be grown with equipment already available on most farms.
• It requires little attention during the growing season.
• It mellows the soil and suppresses some weeds.
• Buckwheat is easily raised organically and brings a premium price.

For further information, contact Thomas Björkman at 315-787-2218.

Contact: Linda McCandless, Communications Services
Telephone: (315) 787-2417
e-mail: llm3@cornell.edu

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