Purdue NEPAC Field Day to Highlight Key Research

By Andi Anderson

Purdue Extension in northeast Indiana will host its annual Northeast Purdue Agricultural Center (NEPAC) Field Day on Tuesday, September 10, 2025, at 4821 E. 400 S, Columbia City.

This event is designed for farmers and agribusiness professionals seeking the latest updates in agronomic research and management practices.

The program begins with registration, refreshments, and vendor visits from 8:00 to 8:30 a.m., followed by morning workshops from Purdue Extension experts. Topics include:

• State pesticide regulation update – James Wolff, Extension Educator
• Corn production update – Dan Quinn, Purdue corn specialist
• Crop disease update – Darcy Telenko, Purdue field crops pathologist
• A different approach to phosphorus management – Megan Bourns, Purdue soil fertility specialist
• Cover crop update – Shalamar Armstrong, Purdue agronomist

Lunch will be provided by event sponsors. Afterward, an optional afternoon session will cover the use of UAVs for pesticide application, crop scouting, and cover crop seeding.

Participants can earn private applicator recertification program credit, with the $10 fee sponsored by the Indiana Corn Marketing Council and Indiana Soybean Alliance. Commercial applicator CCHs and Certified Crop Adviser CEUs will also be available.

The field day runs from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., with the optional UAV session lasting until 2:00 p.m. Admission is free, but registration by September 3 is required to attend and receive a meal.

Sponsors include the Indiana Corn Marketing Council, Indiana Soybean Alliance, Ag Plus, Agro-Chem, Baughman Tile, Beacon Credit Union, Bippus State Bank, Diverse Corn Belt, Elite Ag Solutions, Forefront Ag Solutions, Schlipf Precision Ag, and Truland Equipment. Attendees are encouraged to visit vendor booths for additional resources.

To register, visit https://purdue.link/NEPAC2025 or contact the Whitley County Extension Office at 260-244-7615. Special accommodations or dietary needs should be arranged with John Woodmansee by August 27.

Photo Credit: purdue-university