The Schantz Family Farm Field Day is scheduled for October 9th, and it will be held in a way that honors the legacy of Merlin Schantz. As Farm Director KC Sheperd recalls, Merlin would call her every year to talk about the “awesomeness of this field day,” and the event will continue his tradition of providing valuable information to producers in the region.
The field day will begin at 7:30 a.m. with registration, coffee, and donuts, followed by a bus tour starting at 8:15 a.m. Aaron Schantz said that people can “just show up” and are welcome to take the school bus tour or drive their own vehicles.
Research and Education on the Farm
The tour will feature three stops, highlighting key research and management strategies for cotton, peanuts, and soybeans. The first stop will be a cotton variety trial that includes an examination of “non Roundup cotton” and features OSU Cotton Specialist Jenny Dudak.
Next, attendees will visit a peanut location for a USDA peanut variety trial, where “Dr. Kelly” will discuss how different varieties perform and provide insights into disease management.
The final stop will be at the farm to discuss soybeans. Here, experts will talk about weed management, as well as the “different diseases and bug pressure” affecting both soybeans and corn in the area. The day will conclude with a catered lunch and an opportunity to visit with industry vendors. Attendees can earn 3 CEUs for their participation.
Managing Crops and Pests
Aaron Schantz provided an update on the current crop conditions, noting that for cotton, they “would like it to be a little bit warmer” for the crop to finish out. He said the cotton is “looking pretty good” thanks to “rains timely throughout the summer, which is very rare in western Oklahoma”. For peanuts, he expressed concerns about disease pressure, and for their double-crop soybeans, he also wished for warmer temperatures.
He also shared a strategy for dealing with pests like armyworms and grasshoppers, which he considers a form of “insurance.” He explained that they “treat our seed” with a chemical treatment on the farm and said that this year, he is “seeing dividends on my investment”.
Getting to the Field Day
Schantz provided specific directions for the farm: from Hydro, Oklahoma, go “two miles north on 58 highway,” then “one mile west on the first paved road,” and finally, “a half a mile north on the first gravel road”. He assured attendees they can’t miss it, telling them to look for a “big shop building,” “four big grain bins,” and all the vehicles.
3 CEUs available for attendees!
Don’t miss this chance to learn, network, and honor a leader in Oklahoma agriculture.
Location: 2 miles north of Hydro on Hwy 58, 1 mile west, 1/2 mile north
Sign-in starts at 7:30 AM (coffee & donuts provided)
Lunch catered by Pecinas
