University News

The 2017 Pennycress Field Day will be held May 18 at the WIU Agriculture Field Laboratory.
[Download Print-Quality Image]

2017 Pennycress Field Day at WIU May 18

May 16, 2017

Share |
Printer friendly version

MACOMB, IL – The annual Pennycress Field Day will be held at the Western Illinois University Agriculture Field Laboratory from 10 a.m.-noon Thursday, May 18.

The WIU Agriculture Field Laboratory is located just north of the Harry Mussatto Golf Course on Tower Road. No registration is required, and the event is open free to the public.

The Pennycress Field Day will include researchers and industry representatives talking about this unique short season crop. Attendees will also have a chance to tour the pennycress plots and the new greenhouse facility, both at Western.

According to WIU Agriculture Professor Win Phippen, the event is open to producers and researchers and will offer a chance to learn how crop techniques work and what traits are currently being explored to improve production.

"With the application of modern technology, the advances in pennycress plant breeding have been amazing in the last year," said Phippen. "Traits are being discovered that will dramatically improve germination, flowering, pod shattering and seed yield, along with seed traits with improved oils and feed value. Producers and researchers can also see how well the current breeding lines are performing."

For more information, visit wiu.edu/pennycress/field-days/.



Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing