Creepy, crawly and somewhat cute critters will be on display at this year’s field day at the New Mexico State University Agricultural Science Center in Artesia, along with the center’s various research projects.
The Artesia field day will begin with registration at 4 p.m. Sept. 7 at the science center, located at 67 E. Four Dinkus Road in Artesia. The event is free and open to the public. Dinner will be provided at 5 p.m., and field tours will begin at 6 p.m. The event will also feature information booths and an insect safari, where the field day’s youngest participants can learn about extracting DNA and metamorphosis, constructing a Mason bee house, and insect identification and sorting.
Presentations will also include verticillium wilt resistance in cotton, cotton integrated pest management, or IPM, variety trials of Nutrien’s Carb-N and cotton yields, and healthy soil practices.
“We are excited for folks to come out to the Agricultural Science Center at Artesia to see and learn about some of the different trials we have in the ground,” said Dave Lowry, director of farming operations for NMSU’s Agricultural Experiment Station. “We have some new faces at the center, which is always an exciting time for the exchange of new ideas and pursuing endeavors not previously thought about.”
Lowry said while the cotton IPM presentation will concentrate on cotton, it can be applied to crops in general.
“That particular presentation focuses on cotton programs, but IPM is a crucial aspect of any crop management plan, big or small,” Lowry said. “The science center’s location makes our data collection applicable to not only New Mexicans but also holds true for many west Texas growers as well.”
Lowry said a poster exhibit will outline a healthy soils grant project that is a collaboration with the Eddy County Extension Office.
“It is always a great benefit when we can partner with local extension personnel,” he said, “and I am very interested to see where we can take this collaboration in the future and how we can expound the impacts to the stakeholders of southeast New Mexico.”
To register, visit https://rsvp.nmsu.edu/rsvp/artesia. Walk-in attendance is also welcome.
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PHOTO CAPTION: Participants listen to a research presentation during the 2021 field day at New Mexico State University’s Agricultural Science Center in Artesia. This year, the center will host its field day Sept. 7 and feature an insect safari for children. (NMSU photo by Josh Bachman)
IMAGE DESCRIPTION: A group of people standing in a field of green plants.