By Andi Anderson
Michigan State University Extension and the Michigan Potato Industry Commission will host the 2025 Montcalm County Potato Field Day on Thursday, Aug. 7 at the Montcalm Research Center in Lakeview, Michigan. This free event is open to potato producers, agribusiness professionals, and the public.
The day begins at 8 a.m. with registration, coffee, and refreshments, followed by educational breakout sessions. The event concludes around 1 p.m., with an optional potato research meeting afterward.
This year’s program focuses on integrated pest management (IPM) strategies and features two breakout tracks: Digital Technology and Drones and Agronomic Management Practices.
In the digital session, Flying Acres Ag and MSU Extension educator Nicolle Ritchie will demonstrate drone applications, evaluating spray patterns and adjuvant effectiveness using a Swath Gobbler.
MSU Extension educator Richard Price will showcase how remote sensing supports IPM, field monitoring, and planning, while also addressing digital tech limitations.
The second session spotlights in-field agronomy. Erin Burns, PhD, will present on managing volunteer potatoes and herbicide resistance. Jaime Willbur, PhD, will cover late blight management and recent fungicide regulation updates.
Zsofia Szendrei, PhD, will address strategies for controlling the Colorado potato beetle. A grower’s perspective will be shared by Stephanie Kipp of Kipp Farm Services on aphid management.
By combining drone tech with traditional practices, the field day aims to show how these approaches can work together to tackle complex IPM challenges in Michigan’s potato production systems.
Certified crop adviser credits and restricted-use pesticide credits will be available. This field day also qualifies as a Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) Phase I event.
Registration is free but required.
Visit the official registration page or call the Montcalm County MSU Extension Office at 989-831-7500 for assistance.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-npantos
Categories: Michigan, Rural Lifestyle, Farm Safety