Writer: Blair Fannin, 979-845-2259, b-fannin@tamu.edu
Contact: Ryan Collett, 512-898-2214, rmcollett@tamu.edu
THRALL – Management of new technology in cotton, plus methods used to reduce planting populations in grain sorghum, will be part of several presentations scheduled for the 52nd Stiles Farm Field Day scheduled June 16 at the Stiles Farm Foundation in Thrall.
The Stiles Farm is located at 5700 Farm-to-Market Road 1063, near the intersection of U.S. Highway 79, 1 mile east of Thrall.
The Stiles Farm Field Day is scheduled for June 16 at the Stiles Farm Foundation in Thrall. Pictured is grain sorghum grown at the farm. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Blair Fannin)
Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. with field tours scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. Cost is $10 for individuals wanting to receive three Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units. The field day is hosted by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.
“This year’s field day will feature many programs and topics that will be of interest to all Blacklands producers,” said Ryan Collett, farm manager and AgriLife Extension specialist. “The morning session will focus on reducing planting populations in grain sorghum and discuss sources of phosphorous in starter fertilizer. After lunch, we will hear about aquaponic production and facilities.”
Dr. Allen Knutson, AgriLife Extension entomologist in Dallas, will give a presentation on managing sugarcane aphids in grain sorghum.
Dr. Doug Steele, AgriLife Extension director, College Station, will be the keynote speaker during the noon hour, which includes a lunch courtesy of field day sponsors. Dr. Travis Miller, AgriLife Extension interim state operations director, College Station, will serve as master of ceremonies. Additionally, the 2015 Agriculturalist of the Year Award and Stiles Farm Foundation scholarships will be presented.
The afternoon program will feature a presentation on development and management aquaponic facilities by Joe Schram, owner and operator of JoLi Farms.
Equipment demonstrations by industry representatives will also be featured. The field day will conclude at 2:30 p.m.
The Stiles Farm Foundation was established by the Stiles family at Thrall in Williamson County. According to the foundation, J.V. and H.A. Stiles wanted to commemorate their father, James E. Stiles, and the land he worked. They also wanted to help neighboring farmers and others throughout the Central Texas Blacklands region learn new farming practices. In 1961, the Stiles Farm Foundation was established and became part of the Texas A&M University System.
The farm is used by AgriLife Extension and Texas A&M AgriLife Research, which conduct field experiments and use the facility as a teaching platform.
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