UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Plots of corn, soybeans, hay and other crops will be growing all around the Crops and Soils Tent at Penn State's Ag Progress Days, Aug. 20-22 at the Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center. But one of this year's most intriguing crops will be plants that no self-respecting farmer wants to grow.

Along with grain and forage crops, Penn State crop and soil sciences faculty will be growing common weeds of Pennsylvania, including some invasive weed species.

"Invasive weeds are becoming more of a concern to land managers and farmers," says Greg Roth, associate professor of agronomy. "Our display will demonstrate the invasive weeds that are invading crop and forestland around the state. Some of these invasive weeds actually are cultivated species that we should be concerned about escaping into the wild and taking over natural environments.

"There are a lot of new federal regulations being considered for managing invasive weeds on public and private lands, roadsides and state forests. This year is a departure from our usual Ag Progress Days focus on strictly crop-related items. It's part of a trend to look more broadly at agriculture and how it interacts with other issues -- in this case, invasive weeds and natural ecosystems."

The area again will present the latest developments in forage, corn and soybean production. Along with demonstrations of new tillage practices and displays of crop research, Penn State specialists will be on hand to talk to producers about crop-related production issues.

Children will enjoy the new look of the ever-popular "A-Maze-N Corn" exhibit, which features an all-new corn maze design. "The maze is always popular with the youth," Roth says. "We've had about 5,000 kids go through the maze at Ag Progress Days in the past. Children can spend time in the maze while the adults can get advice on weed control, forages, corn, soils, soybeans and small grains."

The state's best hay also will be on display as part of the annual Hay Show. Visitors wishing to compete in the Hay Show can submit their entries at the drop-off points near the Ag Progress Day's parking areas. Samples are evaluated visually and analyzed for feed value during the event.

Because of concerns over the possible transmission of foot-and-mouth disease and other foreign animal diseases, visitors who have been overseas within two weeks of attending Ag Progress Days are asked not to visit the event's live-animal exhibit areas.

Penn State's Ag Progress Days is held at the Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center at Rock Springs, nine miles southwest of State College on Route 45. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday. Admission and parking are free.

For more information, call (800) PSU-1010 toll-free until August 22 or visit the Ag Progress Days Web site at http://apd.cas.psu.edu.

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EDITORS: Contact Gregory Roth at 814-863-1018 or gwr@psu.edu.

Contact: Gary Abdullah gxa2@psu.edu 814-863-2708 814-865-1068 fax #224