Celebrating a century of ag research

For its 100th anniversary milestone, Northern Agricultural Research Center is turning its 2015 Field Day, Wednesday, into a special celebration.

The annual Field Day at the research center gives beef and crop producers, as well as interested visitors, a chance to tour the facility to see what the scientists are working on and hear presentations from specialists on topics like cattle mineral supplements, wheat sawfly control, controlling pink eye through advances in pest management and the affect of microbiomes in crops and rangeland.

"This year is going to be a little different from previous Field Days in that we're trying to go with a then and now theme: what did we do then, how did we do it, what happened over time, where have we come and how did we get here," said Darrin Boss, superintendent of the research center.

In keeping with that theme, Boss said, NARC agronomy scientist Peggy Lamb planted an all-historical nursery of winter wheat, spring wheat and barley, along with the modern varieties planted for current studies.

The beef operations side of the facility will be offering a more hands-on experience with demonstrations of cattle handling using different modern, low-stress systems, including a Temple Grandin system and a Bud Box, Boss said.

Presenters will also be looking five years into the future to see where technology and science will be taking ag production, Boss said, including demonstrations on using digital cameras inserted into glass tubes underground to study root systems, as well as using unmanned aerial vehicles in both crop and beef production.

"It's quite exciting," Boss said, "and I'm really exited about that kind of component - the technology end of it."

But this 100th anniversary celebration won't be all about the science, Boss added.

Former NARC superintendents will be on hand to talk about the research center's history, and Boss' predecessor Gregg Carlson will be in attendance as the new NARC facility, started under Carlson, is dedicated in his name.

"The big thing we've done this year, also, is we've combined with the Chamber this year," Boss said.

The Havre Area Chamber of Commerce usually holds their Agricultural Business Committee's Ag Appreciation Banquet in the fall each year, but this year the dinner, which honors the area's agricultural industry and awards an Outstanding Agricultural Leader and an Outstanding Agricultural Advocate, will be held in conjunction with Field Day.

This pairing with the Chamber is also making possible the trade show and will be an added draw for the barbecue dinner provided by the Agri-Business Committee each year at Field Day.

Another collaboration gives a nod to the then and now theme. NARC has gotten together with the Havre/Hill County Historic Preservation Commission and Fort Assinniboine Preservation Association to reveal a special commemorative that honors their partnership at the historic Fort Assinniboine facility, as well as NARC's 100th anniversary.

With NARC utilizing the fort as a working ranch, farm and research facility and the historic preservation groups utilizing it as a tourist attraction to an important part of the area's long history, the organizations have forged a unique bond Boss said.

All Field Day activities are free and open to the public, including the field trips, demonstrations and the barbecue dinner.

Registration for Field Day, a free event, begins at 12:30 p.m. at the NARC facility six miles south of Havre off U.S. Highway 87. The equipment show gets underway at 1 p.m. with ag demonstrations from several speakers. On-station research tours begin at 2:30 p.m. and an antique tractor parade at 4 p.m., with honoree Gregg Carlson and other dignitaries in the lead.

Boss' welcome speech begins at 4:15 p.m., followed by other guest speakers and presentations.

At 5 p.m. attendees will start on the first round of barbecue dinners or go on one of the second set of tours, and 6:30 p.m. these two groups switch.

The Field Day program officially ends at 8 p.m., but Boss said scientists and staff will still be available for more discussion or revisiting project cites.

Schedule

12:30 p.m. - Registration

1 p.m. - Ag show and demonstrations

2:30 p.m. - Ag tours begin

4 p.m. - Tractor parade

4:15 p.m. - Speakers

5 p.m. - Dinner and tours

6:30 p.m. - Dinner and tours