Growing perennial forages for biofuels and the effects of early stocking on native grassland are among the topics at the NDSU Central Grasslands Research Extension Center's 29th annual field tour scheduled for June 23.

The tour program will begin at 6 p.m. at the center office with welcome and opening comments from Ken Grafton, director of the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station and dean of NDSU's College of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources.

The effects of cover crops on soil health and the effect of grazing intensity on soil health and how it relates to beef production and carbon sequestration also will be discussed during the tour program.

Presenters are Paul Nyren, center director; Greg Mantz, animal scientist at the center; Guojie Wang, center forage agronomist; Xuejun Dong, center ecophysiologist; Bob Patton, range scientist at the center; Andrew Fraase and Kevin Sedivec of NDSU's Natural Resources Management program; and Jay Fuhrer, Natural Resources Conservation Service district conservationist.

The tour program will end about 9 p.m., followed by a free roast beef supper.

Prior to the traditional program, Chuck Lura, Natural North Dakota, will discuss the medicine and lore of prairie plants, and Rick Bohn, Central Grasslands Research Extension Center naturalist, will talk about birding. Their program will run from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The center is four miles north of Streeter or 11 miles south of Interstate 94 on North Dakota Highway 30. From Highway 30, turn onto 48th Street and go five miles west to 48th Avenue, then one-quarter mile south.

For more information, contact the center at (701) 424-3606.