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Davis Purdue Ag Center Celebrates a Century of Service
Indiana Ag Connection - 08/18/2017

When the Davis Purdue Agricultural Center (DPAC) was established a hundred years ago, tractors with internal combustion engines were a very new technology - the way driverless cars are today. Most plowing and harvesting was done with implements pulled by livestock or people. The average yield per acre for Indiana grain crops was less than half of what it is today.

A lot of things have changed in the ensuing century but the DPAC mission has remained constant.

"We're here, as we have always been, to do the research that helps farmers manage their crops and land for the best possible results," says Jeff Boyer, DPAC superintendent.

The land that would become DPAC was donated to Purdue in 1917 by Martha Davis in memory of her son, Herbert Davis. DPAC includes 523 tillable acres with a variety of soil types and 100 managed forest acres known as the Herbert Davis Forestry Farm.

In 1926, forestry professor Burr Prentice numbered, mapped, described, and tagged every tree on the property. Later generations of Purdue researchers have continued the work, making the Davis-Purdue Research Forest the oldest and largest mapped forest in North America. It has been designated as a Registered Natural Landmark.

In recent years, DPAC has been at the forefront of vital research into agricultural water use and drainage issues along with precision agriculture projects.

The center will celebrate its rich tradition with a Centennial Field Day, Aug. 31. Participants will learn about key crop management issues from a number of Purdue Extension specialists and educators.

"The agenda was designed to reflect the broad range of research we conduct at the center and through Purdue Extension," Boyer said.

Topics and presenters are:

"Century of Corn and Soybean Plots": Bob Nielsen, Purdue Extension corn specialist and professor of agronomy, and Shaun Casteel, Purdue Extension soybean specialist and associate professor of agronomy.

"Nitrogen Nutrient Management and Economic Optimum Rates, Original Crop Research Plot Field": Jim Camberato, Purdue Extension soil fertility specialist and professor of agronomy.

"Herbicide and Weed Resistance Management": William Johnson and Bryan Young, Purdue Extension weed management specialists.

"Davis Purdue Ag Center History": Fred Whitford, administrator of the Purdue Pesticide Programs, and Boyer.

"Understanding Pollinators in Agriculture: Bee Aware": Justin Curley, Purdue Extension-Henry County director, and Christian Krupke, Purdue Extension entomology specialist.

"Davis Purdue Ag Center Old-Growth Forest History and Management": Mike Jenkins and George Parker, Purdue forestry specialists; Brian MacGowan, Purdue Extension wildlife specialist; and Jonathan Ferris, Purdue Extension-Wayne County director.

"A Century of Agricultural Technology Development": Boyer; Joel Wahlman and Alex Helms, Southeast Purdue Agricultural Center; Terry Stewart, professor of animal sciences; Dharmendra Saraswat, associate professor of agricultural and biological engineering.

The field day is free and a pork chop lunch will be served. Registration is required by Aug. 25.

Private applicator credits will be available for a $10 fee. Nutrient management, integrated pest management and crop management credits will also be available. There will also be free health screenings by St. Vincent Randolph Hospital. The event will be held rain or shine.

For more information or to sign up, contact the Purdue Extension-Randolph County office at 765-584-2271. The center is located at 6230 N. state Road 1, Farmland.


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