AMES, Iowa – Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will host a field day July 11 that focuses on frost protection of apples using irrigation, sprayer calibration and how the Food Safety Modernization Act affects the crop.
The field day will run from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. and is free. It will be held at the Timeless Prairie Orchard (3049 280th St.) near Winthrop.
“This field day will focus on the latest risk management practices from spring through fall to help ensure you always have a great product to market,” said Joe Hannan, commercial horticulture specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach.
Registration begins at 2:30 p.m. with the welcome beginning at 3 p.m. The field day will start by discussing how the Food Safety Modernization Act affects orchards in Iowa.
A demonstration on how to use irrigation to guard against frost and a discussion on which nozzles to use and how to install them will follow. Information on automation through a weather station and the cost and effective area covered through standard farm wells will also be included.
Diana Cochran, assistant professor and extension fruit specialist with Iowa State, will demonstrate proper setup and calibration of an airblast sprayer.
A dinner at the attendees' expense will be held at 6 p.m. at Wolfey’s in Quasqueton. Preregistration is required for those wishing to participate in the dinner in order to make reservations. Contact Hannan at jmhannan@iastate.edu to register.
The field day is sponsored by the Iowa Department of Agriculture Specialty Crop Block Grant program, the Food and Drug Administration, the Iowa Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education, and Iowa Farmer’s Union.