The 2012 Big Iron Show, set for Sept. 11-13 in West Fargo, is scheduled to include presentations and demonstrations by NDSU researchers and scientists on tillage, soil health, agricultural robotics and a quarter-scale student tractor.
The daily field demonstrations are scheduled from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. south of the Big Iron exhibit area and will begin with brief educational presentations.
One part of the daily field demonstrations will focus on NDSU’s newly formed soil health initiative. Six NDSU researchers and scientists who conduct soil health research and Extension Service efforts will use a soil pit as an aid to discuss the importance of soils to North Dakota’s vitality. They will discuss crop and range management strategies land managers can use in adapting to changes in climate, cropping systems and environmental situations.
Personnel involved in the soil health initiative include Ann-Marie Fortuna, research soil health assistant professor; Abbey Wick, Extension soil health assistant professor; Chris Augustin, area Extension soil health specialist; Naeem Kalwar, area Extension soil health specialist; Jasper Teboh, soil scientist; and Ben Geaumont, wildlife and range science research assistant professor.
NDSU and University of Minnesota Extension Service personnel are collaborating with tillage equipment companies to feature five types of shallow-tillage machines to help explain recommended tillage practices. Each tillage equipment company exhibiting at Big Iron has been invited to demonstrate a shallow-tillage machine immediately after the educational presentation.
Another part of the session will be presentations and demonstrations on robotics in agriculture. John Nowatzki, NDSU Extension machine systems specialist, will discuss current robotic applications in crop and livestock production.
NDSU is recognized as one of the nation's top 108 public and private universities by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education.