FFA chapters, farmers attend crop event

Van Wert independent/Paulding FFA information

PAYNE — On one of the few cooler days of the summer, area FFA members attended a crop and field answer plot just north of US 30 on the Ohio/ Indiana State Line Road.

On Wednesday, August 3, FFA members, along with area farmers and stockholders at area Mercer Landmark branches, were in attendance. The day was set up by Croplan Genetics, Windfield Solutions, Syngenta (NK Seeds), Land O’ Lakes foundation, and Mercer Landmark as a day of education. The goal was to educate area agriculturalists in use of foliar feeding crops, such as corn, soybeans and alfalfa. Participants were also taught how to get the top yield out of soybeans and corn plants to advance the growing world population.

Tissue cultures were looked at to show the potential use of micronutrients in the growing season of the plants and students were taught how to determine vegetative stages of corn and soybean plants. Students were most interested in how the dry summer, as well as the late planting time in the spring, has shortened the vegetative stages of the corn crop.

In addition to education, all participants received a steak or chicken dinner catered by Lock Sixteen of Ottoville. The event continued on Thursday and Friday at a North Star plot featuring a grain day and a dairy/forage day.

FFA members also assisted in helping to clean up after the meal. Area chapters attending one of the three area events were Paulding, Lincolnview, Versailles, Wayne Trace, Fairview, Marion Local, Coldwater, Parkway, Minster, Mississinawa Valley, Ansonia, Fort Recovery, and Crestview, and the Jay County FFA Chapter in Portland, Ind. Paulding Agricultural Education students hope to utilize the information gained to conduct research in their greenhouse at Paulding. Students hope to test the use of micronutrients in corn, wheat and soybean plants, as well as vegetable crops during the 2011-2012 school year.

Farmers and shareholders in attendance also had the opportunity to choose a local FFA chapter to support. In return, Winfield Solutions, Land O’ Lakes Foundation, NK and Mercer Landmark donated $10 per person attending the Answer Plot to an FFA chapter or alumni.