Orr Agricultural Center research to be featured at July 15 field day
Published 1:10 pm Monday, July 6, 2026
PERRY — “We’re really excited to share some of the new research we’ve got going on this year — nitrogen and sulfur connections, a soybean plant data trial that we plan to talk about, and a follow-up on insect and disease management,” said Luke Merritt, the center’s senior research specialist.
“It’s going really well. We had a really wet June, but so far everything seems to be doing OK. We’ve had over 9 inches of rain for the month of June. Normal is 4.5. It’s definitely delayed some herbicide spraying and other things.”
The annual field day takes place Wednesday, July 15, at the center located approximately 4 miles northwest of Perry. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. in the John Wood Community College Agricultural Science Complex, with tours starting at 9 a.m.
Merritt hopes area producers, and the larger ag community, benefit from the event.
“I’m hoping they can take home some new information that may benefit their operations,” Merritt said. “We like doing this event to help showcase the research we’ve got going on at the station. That benefits us and benefits them as well. It also helps our suppliers and our agronomists in the area give recommendations to growers.”
Field day topics include disease risks and fungicide return on investment in corn and soybeans, exploring cover crop systems and strategies, early-season crop injury, weed management implications of waterhemp emergence timing, and a weather forecast discussion from a new speaker this year, Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford.
“He wants some farmer input on things they find useful,” Merritt said. “We’re pretty excited to have a whole different type of a talk this year.”
Presentations will be made outdoors through plot tours on the farm. If extreme heat or rain is forecast, the event may be moved indoors. Continuing education units for certified crop advisers and Illinois ag educators will be offered.
Advance reservations — available by calling 217-236-4911 or emailing lukem@illinois.edu — guarantee a meal provided after the tour.
