The annual NDSU Hettinger, North Dakota, Research Extension Center field tours are scheduled for July 8, according to John Rickertsen, center agronomist.

The annual small-grains tour is set to begin at the center office building at 5 p.m. MDT. This year's tour includes displays of unmanned aircraft and a discussion of NDSU research on unmanned aircraft systems and their use in crop and livestock production.

On the field tour portion of the field day, participants will learn about Brassica carinata, known as Ethiopian mustard, production for biofuel use and view new varieties of spring, durum and, winter wheat and barley.

"This year's tour gives producers an opportunity to learn about emerging technology in agriculture, along with the traditional small-grain variety performance information," Rickertsen said.

Participants will be able to talk with Extension specialists, scientists and plant breeders during the tour.

Following the tour, a free meal is scheduled at Mirror Lake Park. All activities are free and open to the public.

NDSU is recognized as one of the nation's top 108 public and private universities by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education.