Leading researchers will return to MN Ag EXPO Jan. 22 and 23 to showcase their projects bringing new levels of innovation to modern farm practices and expanding markets for corn. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn firsthand about the research supported by the corn check-off from the researchers leading each project.

On Tuesday, Jan. 22, farmers who led projects through the Minnesota Corn Innovation Grant Program will be on hand to talk about their research and how their findings could be applied to all farm operations. Projects on display include:

• Brian Velde: Installed an irrigation system that allows him to spoon-feed nitrogen and water to his corn crop.
• AJ Krusemark: Improved the precision of application rates of injected liquid hog manure for meeting phosphorus needs while minimizing the risk of nitrogen losses.
• Sam Peterson: Evaluated which variable-rate technology program leads to the highest nitrogen use efficiency and profit.
• Jacob Sharkley: Tested techniques that proved the most efficient for nitrogen application following harvest.
• Brock Olson: Developed  a crop rotation that significantly reduces nitrate loss and soil erosion compared to the traditional corn-soybean rotation while maintaining profitability

On the second day of MN Ag EXPO, University of Minnesota researchers will be on-hand to chat with farmers about their projects supported by the corn check-off. Researchers in attendance include:

• Melissa Wilson: Evaluating management practices for integrating cover crops into manure that make cover crops more successful.
• Candice Hirsch: Using drones and sensors to evaluate expression of genotypes within and across different environments throughout the growing season to identify the variations that allow corn to thrive in northern climates.
• Jeff Vetsch: Evaluated the effectiveness of cover crops as a nitrate reduction strategy in northern climates.
• John Baker: Researching perennial living mulches that can be established within cropped fields and managed so that they support continued row crop production while benefitting the environment.
• Tim Griffis: Experimenting with management techniques that have the potential to reduce nitrogen losses under changing climate conditions.

The Minnesota Corn Growers Association will once again be located in booth 58 at MN Ag EXPO. After chatting with researchers, be sure to stop by to learn how MCGA is building a brighter future on the farmer.

Corn and soybean farmers have until Jan. 10 to pre-register and avoid lines at the door by clicking here. On-site registration will also be available.