Transcript
The U of M at Farmfest

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“It might not look like it, but I’m standing in the heart of the Twin Cities on the U of M’s St. Paul campus. There’s a lot of research that takes place here …and it’s the job of the U’s Extension Service to make sure this research makes it out to the rural communities.

“…provide information, as well as answer questions that they might have and give us some direction in terms of ideas for future Extension research scenarios and things that we might try.”

David Nicolai is one of those Extension educators, who are spread out over Minnesota to help advise farmers like Bob Kirchner with issues like soybean aphids …a pest that Kirchner says divides growers in the upper Midwest fall into two groups…

“You either had just got your soybeans sprayed for aphids or you’re ready to have them sprayed.”

Kirchner’s part of the United Soybean Board, and says growers are always looking for the best information available when it comes to treating pests like the aphid. And often is the case, researchers at the University of Minnesota have that information.

“I think the University has established credibility and a reputation as being a good source of information that farmers rely on.”

From soybean aphids to better biofuels …to helping producers deal with natural disasters. The University of Minnesota plays a major role in the state’s agricultural economy. Which is why the U of M had a major presence at this year’s Farmfest in Redwood county.

“That is an opportunity for the University of Minnesota to make an impact over a wide range of agricultural commodities, but also that we need to be very specialized, like many of our farmers are, in meeting the needs of those individual crops.”

Just like the many exhibits are Farmfest, Extension Dean Bev Durgan says Minnesota has a very diverse agricultural system …and the U of M has a wide range of research to match up with that diversity.

“We have apples, we have beef, we have cows, we have pigs and we have everything in between.”

That’s good news for farmers like Kirchner, who can always use a helping hand. For example, the U of M’s research has helped growers pinpoint exactly when is the best time of year to spray for soybean aphids.

“Until we get some soybeans that can fend off the aphid population, that’s our course of action right now.”

For the University of Minnesota, I’m Justin Ware.