By Brian Hefty

Join us this summer at the free Ag PhD Field Day on Thursday, July 27th!  We are located outside of Baltic, SD, just 15 minutes from the Sioux Falls airport, and less than 10 miles from both Interstate 90 and Interstate 29.

This will be our largest event ever, with more to see and do than any Field Day we’ve had in the past.  Here are some of the highlights:

  • High yield non-irrigated corn, soybean, and wheat plots, along with irrigated corn, featuring yield champions from across the country!  We are calling these our “First Steps” plots, as it is unrealistic to expect these farmers to set national yield records on our farm right away, but they are at least taking the first steps to ultra-high yields.  You will not only get to see their plots, we will also have a special section of each plot where you can walk through and get a better look at everything.  Plus, each of our First Steps farmers will be at the Field Day speaking throughout the day!  This list of farmers includes David Hula, Kevin Matthews, Perry Galloway, Matt Miles, Dan Arkels, Lee Lubbers, Marty Klinker, and Van Wiebe.  Their plots will be right next to plots that Darren & I have, and we’ll show you everything we’re doing so you can judge the cost vs. the result for yourself.
  • We’ll have more demonstrations (weather-permitting) on planting, spraying, harvesting, tillage, tiling, corn drying, and more.  We’ll have some ride and drive activities you can participate in, too.
  • Darren and I will give you a special guided tour of our research plots, new technologies plots, First Steps plots, and more!
  • In addition to listening to some of the best high-yield farmers in the country during the day, you can also hear from other great guest speakers on topics such as estate planning, grain marketing, drainage law, and biotechnology.
  • We will have kids’ activities, great food throughout the day, plenty of super-clean restrooms, multiple air conditioned facilities, and a few special surprises for you, too!

Our field day is free, but we encourage you to bring any extra jackets you have for our Ag PhD charity drive this year.  Whether it’s an extra seed jacket or a regular one, big or small, we would accept your donation at the front gate when you arrive.  Our goal is to put jackets on 5000 people in need this next winter!

My number one piece of advice for you with the Field Day is come early!  We start at 8 a.m., but you will want to be there no later than 7:30 a.m.  We have so much for you to see and do throughout the day, and this is a one-day show.  I also encourage you to visit with as many other attendees as you can, as you can learn a lot from other farmers.  Last year we had more than 10,000 farmers from 40 different states and 25 foreign countries, so there is a lot of opportunity to meet new people and hear about new ideas in crop production.

Please go here for more details, and go here for hotel and camping options.