Published Jun 24, 2022

Oat production field day will explore seeding, variety selection, cleaning and baling – July 7, near Palo
By Tamsyn Jones

Contacts:

Maggie Norton | Farmer Outreach Coordinator | Practical Farmers of Iowa | (515) 32-5661 | maggie@practicalfarmers.org 

PALO, Iowa (June 23, 2022) — The Voss family – including Dan and Susan Voss, Brian Voss and Nicole Hepker – will host a Practical Farmers of Iowa field day exploring oat production on Thursday, July 7, from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., on their farm near Palo, Iowa (1926 Sisley Grove Rd. NW).

The event – “Oat Production: From Variety Selection and Seeding to Baling and Cleaning” – is free to attend and will include lunch at the end of the field day. RSVPs are appreciated for the meal by July 1. Sign up online or contact Debra Boekholder at (515) 232-5661 or debra@practicalfarmers.org.

Please note: For Google Maps accuracy, you must include “NW” in the street address. The correct address is east of Atkins.

The field day is sponsored by Albert Lea Seed, Grain Millers, Iowa Corn Growers Association of Benton County, Iowa Farmers Union, Linn County Soil and Water Conservation District and Welter Seed & Honey Co.

Dan Voss was an early cover crop adopter and has been growing small grains for the entirety of his career. With his son, Brian, he no-till farms about 600 acres of corn and soybeans, alfalfa hay and oats for feed and straw. In 2021, he received Pioneer’s #BestIsYet award in the “Forward-Thinking Farmer” category for his leadership and commitment to farming practices that benefit soil and water resources.

During the field day, the Vosses will:

  • discuss cover crop practices and species they’ve used
  • lead guests on a tour of an oat crop
  • discuss oat management topics from variety selection to post-harvest

They will also discuss combine settings for oats; managing herbicides and fungicides; baling, cutting and marketing oat straw; Teff grass; and using the Haney test to help gauge soil quality. Guests will get to see the Vosses’ equipment set-up for drilling oats and hear from a representative of Welter Seed.

After the field day, attendees are welcome to stay and view the bioreactor and saturated buffer installed at the end of 2021. Full event details are available at practicalfarmers.org/oat-production-from-variety-selection-and-seeding-to-baling-and-cleaning.

This event is part of Practical Farmers’ 2022 field day season, which includes 41 events hosted by farmers located across the state, and beyond, on topics spanning the agricultural spectrum. Attendees can expect a welcoming atmosphere, a spirit of curiosity, a culture of mutual respect and farmers openly sharing their knowledge and experience.

The full roster of events – along with additional information about PFI field day policies and logistics – is available at practicalfarmers.org/field-days. For questions, contact the PFI office at info@practicalfarmers.org or (515) 232-5661.

Practical Farmers’ 2022 field days are supported by Level A sponsors Albert Lea Seed; BioTill Cover Crops; Grain Millers Inc.; Iowa Agriculture Water Alliance; Iowa State University Department of Agronomy; Iowa State University Extension and Outreach; MOSA Certified Organic; Nori Carbon Removal; P&K Midwest; Sinclair Tractor; Sunderman Farm Management; and Van Wall Equipment.

###

About Practical Farmers: Practical Farmers of Iowa works to equip farmers to build resilient farms and communities. Our values include: welcoming everyone; farmers leading the exchange of experience and knowledge; curiosity, creativity, collaboration and community; resilient farms now and for future generations; and stewardship of land and resources. To learn more, visit http://practicalfarmers.org.