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2002 Research Highlights
he Carrington Research Extension Center conducts research and educational programs to enhance the productivity, competitiveness, and diversity of agriculture in central North Dakota. The research effort focuses on traditional crop variety evaluation, crop production and management, alternative crop development, cropping systems, irrigation, integration of crop and livestock production, intensive cow/calf production, beef cattle feeding, feedlot management, bison nutrition, foundation seedstocks production, and fostering development of new agricultural enterprises. The central location of the Carrington Center is significant in that the research program is able to address research needs that represent a significant part of agriculture in North Dakota. This report highlights a portion of the departments’ contributions to research and extension. Following are a few examples of our significant impacts and contributions over the past year. ² Plant disease management. Sclerotinia continues to expand as a significant problem affecting sunflower, soybean, canola, dry edible bean and other broadleaf crops. The center has established three misting system nurseries and other infrastructure to enhance our ability to address management and control of this major disease. ² Drought assistance for livestock industry. Carrington-based livestock nutrition research was invaluable this year to assist stockmen in drought stricken areas wishing to maintain cow herd numbers and profitability. ² Foundation seedstocks first. The foundation seedstocks program collaborated with the Agronomy Seed Farm and NDSU Foundation Seedstocks to propagate and distribute the first soybean variety from NDSU with Roundup Ready technology. ² Winter comfort and environmentally friendly. Winter bedding for feedlot cattle positively impacted animal gain, carcass quality, and profitability. Preliminary results suggest environmental benefits due to nitrogen sequestering in bedding. ² BeefLine livestock demonstrations. As part of the BeefLine initiative, livestock producers in five surrounding counties are participating in extension projects to apply science-based approaches to mineral supplementation, co-product utilization, water quality, ration balancing, and performance recordkeeping. ² Soybean industry support. Carrington Center agronomists have contributed to many soybean production guidelines that have supported the rapid expansion of soybean into new production regions of the state. Research addresses issues involving plant density, fertility, weed control, disease management, variety evaluation, and other management factors. ² Educators’ resource. Carrington Center Extension specialists and researchers serve as resources for educators throughout the state. Numerous seminars and demonstrations provided training in crop and livestock production and livestock waste management to agri-business and governmental resource persons across the state. |
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