Six fall field days and a 50th anniversary celebration are planned at Iowa State University research and demonstration farms throughout the state.

An afternoon program and cookout is planned September 11 at the Western Research and Demonstration Farm in Monona County to highlight the history of the farm. Emphasis will be on the impact of long-term research projects on agriculture. There will be machinery displays, field tours, ultrasound demonstrations, and educational exhibits.

Grilled hamburgers and porkburgers will be served throughout the afternoon by local producer groups. The field day is co-sponsored by the Western Iowa Experimental Farm Association. The farm is located four miles east of Castana on County Road E-34. Activities will run 1:30-6 p.m.

Field day programs at other research and demonstration farms focus on results of current research, including performance of newly introduced resistant varieties and management strategies. Researchers are scheduled to give seminars on various topics, and farm super-intendents will provide crop and weather updates.

All field days will take place rain or shine. Due to the weather and other factors, program details are subject to change. The programs are free and open to the public; no registration is required.

ISU operates 12 research and demonstration farms across the state and a number of them in central Iowa to assess the influence of soil differences and climate on agricultural practices. The research also yields clues to the potential of new crops and practices that may diversify the agri-cultural base. For more information about research and demonstration farms, call 1-800-532-2354.

The fall field days are as follows:

Northwest

• Wednesday, August 28
• Northwest Research and Demonstration Farm -- 2 1/2 miles east and 1 mile north of Doon in Lyon County
• Program: 9 a.m. to noon

• Friday, September 13
• The Allee Research and Demonstration Farm -- 1 mile south of Newell in Buena Vista County
• Program: 9 a.m. to noon (lunch follows program)
• Topics include the new Swine Hoop Structure, alternative feedstuff and feeding beef cattle, ridge-till, fall- versus spring-applied nitrogen/strip cropping, and a program by Farm Service agencies and NRCS representatives. Speakers will be available for consultation and the Allee mansion will be open for viewing following the lunch until 2 p.m.

Northeast

• Tuesday, September 10
• Northeast Research and Demonstration farm -- 1 mile south and 1 1/2 miles west of Nashua
• Program: 1:30 to 4 p.m.
• A CRP demonstration cropping plot will be available for viewing and questions. Other topics include crop maturity and special quality plots, Bt corn--stalk borers, alfalfa planting and establishment methods, 1996 herbicide problems, and a season overview from the demonstration farm.

Western

• Wednesday, September 11
• Western Research and Demonstration Farm -- 4 miles east of Castana on County Line Road
• E-34 in Monona County
• Program: 1:30 to 6 p.m.
• Meals served throughout the afternoon; co-sponsored by the Western Iowa Experimental Farm Association.

Southwest

• Thursday, September 12
• Armstrong Research and Demonstration Farm --- located near Lewis in Cass County, 11 miles southwest of Atlantic on Highway 6, then 1/2 mile south on County Road M-53 and 3/4 mile east
• Program: 3 to 5 p.m.
• Topics include pasture beef finishing, corn management, crop residue, and Roundup-resistant soybean.

Southern

• Thursday, September 19
• McNay Research and Demonstration Farm--near Chariton in Lucas County; from the intersection of Highways 65 and 34 south of Lucas, the farm is located 4 miles south, 21/2 miles east and 1/4 mile north
• Program: 4 p.m.
• The program, Producer Options for the 1996 Calf Crop, includes weaning on grass, weaned-calf nutrition, calf diseases, and marketing strategies.