Texas Tech hosts agricultural technology field day Aug. 8
Recent advances in the South Plains' diverse and cutting-edge agricultural research programs are the central focus of a technology field day Aug. 8 at Texas Tech University's Quaker Research Farm, northwest of the main campus.
"The goal is to increase the community's awareness of Tech's Department of Plant and Soil Science and its activities, and to highlight the broad range of projects with which we're involved," said Craig Bednarz, a Tech associate professor specializing in crop physiology with joint appointment with Texas AgriLife Research.
Latest Advances. The free program, titled Technology TECH Tour, will feature various research scientists discussing their studies and findings to date, including highlights of latest advances in turfgrass research, wildflower development and crop production for biofuels. In addition, programs in cotton, corn and sorghum variety and hybrid development will be discussed, as well as improvements in crop water-use efficiency and irrigation technology.
"The tour will showcase future transgenic crop technologies, and other new developments from the industry," Bednarz said.
Answer Questions. Separately, Texas Tech faculty, staff and students, along with industry representatives from across the region, will be on hand to answer questions about the Department of Plant And Soil Science's degree programs and future job opportunities in the agricultural and biotech industries.
The half-day program begins with registration and tours at 9 a.m. at the research facility, located at 200 N. Quaker St. The field day program, which winds down at noon, will be followed by a luncheon.
Continuing Education. The Quaker Research Farm has 120 acres of irrigated crop land used for evaluating characteristics and performance of various crops. In addition to turfgrass research, Tech scientists conduct research on cotton and an assortment of other crops such as tomatoes, onions, guar, corn, peanuts, and wildflowers. Caster, canola, soybean, mustard, and safflower are also researched on the farm because of their biodiesel capabilities.
Officials indicated that Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education credits are available for field day participation. For more information on the field day, contact Elizabeth Mendoza, Texas Tech Department of Plant and Soil Science at 806-742-2837 or elizabeth.mendoza@ttu.edu.
Written by Norman Martin
Davis College NewsCenter
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