Alternative Crops Field Days

MACOMB, IL -- Looking for a brief respite from the steady thrum of dire news about domestic energy needs, food price increases and the state of the U.S. and global economies? Western Illinois University's Alternative Crops Field Day 2009 -- set from 2-4 p.m., Thursday, July 16 at WIU's Agriculture Field Laboratory in Macomb -- will provide a fascinating and promising look into the world of possibilities that are alternative crops.

"Attendees will have the opportunity to see demonstration plots of bioenergy crops, oilseeds and other general alternative crops, as well as hear research updates about milkweed, cuphea and biomass crops," said Win Phippen, associate professor in Western's School of Agriculture. "We will also be showing displays about winter annual oilseed production and will conduct a presentation about the recent research from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) on field pennycress."

It has been nearly a decade since Western Illinois University's School of Agriculture started its Alternative Crops Research Program, which was established to investigate new crops for the Midwest and to help revitalize local economies.

"We started it in August 2000 to research crops that can fit into the corn and soybean rotations already in place to assist with pest problems and to increase crop diversity," explained Phippen. "As a result of funding we received from the Illinois Council for Food and Agricultural Research (C-FAR), we have demonstration plots that produce oilseed, fiber and biomass crops, which may have implications for bio-fuels like ethanol and biodiesel. We are also engaged in long-term studies that focus on improving yields and adapting crops to the current rotations," he added.

Western Illinois University's Alternative Crops Field Day 2009 is open free to the public; registration is not required. WIU's Agriculture Field Laboratory is located north of the Harry Mussatto Golf Course on Tower Road in Macomb.

For more information or if you would like to bring a large group, contact Phippen at
(309) 298-1251 or WB-Phippen@wiu.edu, or see wiu.edu/altcrops.

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Education

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• WIU
• Macomb
• agriculture
• alternative
• crops