AMES, Iowa — Research on increasing habitat for monarch butterflies will be among the topics presented at the July 20 field day at the Iowa State University Western Research and Demonstration Farm near Castana.
The field day is open to the public at no charge. It will begin at 10 a.m. at the farm, which is located at 36515 Highway E34, Castana, or four miles east of Castana on Monona County Highway E34.
Richard Hellmich, assistant professor in the Iowa State entomology department and a research entomologist with the USDA Agricultural Research Service, will present the monarch session.
Other scheduled Iowa State speakers and their topics include:
- Dave Stender, extension swine specialist, niche market pigs
- Kevin Falk, graduate research assistant, soybean variety research
- Mike Witt, extension field agronomist, cover crops and current agricultural topics
A complimentary lunch will be served at noon by the Western Iowa Experimental Farm Association, owner of the farm.
Those visiting the farm, or any Iowa State farm with livestock, are asked to take several precautions if they have been at another livestock operation. Those who have recently returned from a trip abroad are asked to wait five days before visiting Iowa State farms with animals. All visitors are asked to change clothing and footwear after being in any livestock operation; and to refrain from bringing any food items to the research farm. If you have any questions, please call the Research and Demonstration Farms office at 515-294-5045 or visit https://farms.ag.iastate.edu/visitors.