News Release Distributed 07/18/12

The LSU AgCenter will hold a field day August 16 at the Sweet Potato Research Station in Chase, La., beginning with registration at 7:45 a.m.

Field tours will feature AgCenter research and extension faculty members. Their presentations will highlight the foundation seed program as well as current breeding, production and pest management research projects.

‘The breeding program will be highlighting two 2012 variety releases – Orleans and 07-146,” said Tara Smith, resident coordinator at the station. “Both were released by the LSU AgCenter out of Don LaBonte’s program earlier this year.”

Other field day topics will include:

– Improving production efficiency.

– Optimizing cultural practices for both fresh market and processing sectors.

– Production economics.

“We will also demonstrate a prototype bulk harvester at Thornhill Farms in Wisner, La., immediately following lunch,” Smith said.

The Sweet Potato Research Station is located approximately 5 miles south of Winnsboro on La. Highway 15.

For more information, contact Smith at 318-435-2155 or by email.  

Rick Bogren