University of Minnesota Extension and Rural Advantage have partnered together with two area farmers and the Southern Minnesota Wheat Growers Group to host two Wheat Days.

The first will be June 23 in Le Sueur County and the second will be June 27 in Blue Earth County.  The Wheat Day has become an annual event in Le Sueur County. U-M Extension and Rural Advantage are looking forward to bringing the event to Blue Earth County as well. 

The field days will begin with presentations and end with a tour of small grain fields.  Doug Holen with U-M Extension will be discussing small grain diseases, crop staging and input timing, and general production issues.  Brad Carlson, also with U-M Extension, will be speaking on soil fertility issues and techniques/tips.

Dick Stangler, producer and member of Southern Minnesota Wheat Growers Group, will be hosting the Le Sueur County Wheat Day as well as sharing his experiences with growing wheat and other small grains.  Lucas Lindeland will be hosting the Blue Earth County Wheat Day and will be available to share his small grain experiences as well.  Le Sueur County will have a driving tour and Blue Earth County will have a spring wheat field at the site. 

Attendees are encouraged to bring plant samples of their small grains.  Whether concerned about a pest, fertility, or just want to show-off, feel free to bring a sample of what you are seeing in your small grain fields.

LE SUEUR COUNTY WHEAT DAY

Lunch 12:15pm  ~  Field Day 1:00pm – 4:00pm

Site:  The Jim Stangler Farm  ~  45116 151st Avenue  ~  Kilkenny, MN  56052

Directions--From the South:  At the intersection of Hwy. 60 and Hwy. 13, turn Northwest onto Hwy. 13 and travel ¾ mile.  Turn straight North onto 151st Ave. / Co. Rd. 3.  Travel 5 miles North to Stangler farm on the west side of the road.

Directions --From the North: At the intersection of Hwy. 13 and Co. Rd. 2, turn East and travel 1.5 miles.  Turn South on Co. Rd. 3 to the "Y".  Follow the "Y" to the left (151st Ave. / Co. Rd. 3) for 1/8 mile to the Stangler farm site on West side of the road.

BLUE EARTH COUNTY WHEAT DAY

Field Day 9:00am – 12:00pm

Site:  The Lucas Lindeland Farm  ~  62535 137th Street  ~  Mapleton, MN  56065

Directions --From Pemberton:  Drive straight South out of Pemberton on Co. Rd. 161.  Turn West (right) at Co. Rd. 21 / 137th Street (cattle lot on the corner).  Wheat field is located West of the cattle lot on the North side of Co. Rd. 21 / 137th Street.

Directions --From Mapleton:  Drive East of Mapleton on Co. Rd. 21 / 129th Street.  Co.Rd. 21 will curve North.  Turn East (right) onto Co. Rd. 21 / 132nd Street.  Turn North (left) on Co. Rd. 14 / 165th Avenue.  Turn East (right) onto Co. Rd. 21 / 137th Street and travel roughly 2 miles.  Wheat field is located just West of the cattle lot on the North side of Co. Rd. 21 / 137th Street.

Contacts for this event: 

Jill Sackett, UMN Extension / Rural Advantage,     507-238-5449      [email protected]

Diane DeWitte, UMN Extension – Blue Earth/Le Sueur Counties,    507-380-6098    [email protected]