URBANA, Ill. – The 60th annual Agronomy Day will be held at the University of Illinois on Thursday, Aug. 17. Equipment and crop varieties may have changed, but the goal of Agronomy Day has been consistent since its inception in 1957: to communicate cutting-edge research results that will benefit the Illinois farming community.

"Agronomy Day provides direct connections among the agricultural grower, the consumer, and the research scientist," says Bob Dunker, agronomist and former superintendent of the Crop Sciences Research and Education Center, and chairperson for Agronomy Day. “Making these connections advances the goal of feeding our growing population across the globe.”

Agronomy Day was held in a new location in 2016, and the South First Street Facility will host the event again this year. The facility is located at 4202 South 1st Street in Savoy. Directions are on the Agronomy Day website.

“Last year’s attendees told us they liked the new location,” Dunker says. “We got some feedback and will be making improvements so that the event is an even bigger success this year.”

Experts will discuss a variety of topics from soil fertility to insect management, crop production, weed control, corn and soybean genetics, plant diseases, farm economics, and agricultural engineering. Field tours depart at 7 a.m. from the main tent, making continuous stops at research plots throughout the event.

Attendees will have an opportunity to hear from Kimberlee Kidwell, new dean of the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, with her vision for the direction of the college. New faculty in the Department of Crop Sciences may also be on hand to say hello.

Exhibits by ACES programs, commercial vendors, research posters, and student clubs will be on display in the “big” tent. Lunch will be available for a nominal charge.

More information and registration can be found at http://agronomyday.cropsci.illinois.edu/ or by contacting Sue Overmyer at 217-300-3702 or overmyer@illinois.edu.