UT AgResearch plans Steak and Potatoes Field Day for August 6

Event will appeal to cattle producers, landowners, commercial fruit and vegetable growers and home gardeners

Several cattle management issues are on the agenda for the annual Steak and Potatoes Field Day sponsored by the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture at the Plateau AgResearch and Education Center in Crossville. Fruit and vegetable production as well as land management issues round out the program. The event is planned for Tuesday, Aug. 6, beginning at 8 a.m.

The annual Steak and Potatoes Field Day, sponsored by the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, will once again showcase the research and outreach activities at UT’s Plateau AgResearch and Education Center on Highway 70N.

The free event, which includes a sponsored lunch, begins with registration and a trade show at 8 a.m. CDT on Tuesday, Aug. 6, at the center’s main unit. Tours and seminars begin at 8:30 and lunch will be served at 11:30.

As in previous years, UT researchers and Extension experts will present a set of talks and demonstrations that will appeal to three groups of visitors:  those interested in improved beef production, those interested in fruit and vegetable production and those interested in land management issues. The beef production presentations will highlight respiratory disease management, maintenance and calibration of sprayers and the outlook for beef cattle production as well as issues related to cattle reproduction.

Although highlighted in the event’s traditional title, the field day’s fruit and vegetable production presentations will not feature potatoes. Instead, strawberry production using high tunnels will be among the featured topics as well as fruit production and irrigation. Landowner discussions will feature updates on forest damage caused by invasive species and an examination of future hardwood pricing.