Saginaw Valley Research and Extension Center Dedication
02.23

To expand research opportunities and improve grower access to research results, the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station relocated and renamed its field research station in the Saginaw Valley. The 250-acre Saginaw Valley Research and Extension Center opened April 3, 2009 and replaces the 120-acre Saginaw Valley Bean and Beet Research Farm in Saginaw.

Flash | Windows Media

Saginaw Valley Beet and Bean Research Farm Overview
01.46

The Saginaw Valley Dry Bean and Beet Research Station's main work consists of developing varieties that are suitable to the region. The station sits on 180 acres - 120 of the acres are owned by industry and rented back to the University. As in real estate, it's all about location when it comes to production.

Flash | Windows Media

Beans, Beans the Numerical Fruit
02.48

The dry bean industry is big business in Michigan. Annually, growers receive between $75 to 100 million dollars for their navies, blacks, pintos and kidneys. One project being studied at the Saginaw Valley Dry Bean and Beet research farm involves insecticide. For the past five years, researchers have been using a bean insecticide as a seed treatment on all of the dry beans.

Flash | Windows Media

Direct Harvest of Beans
02.12

The Saginaw Valley Bean and Beet Research Farm is Michigan State University's major testing location for the development of navy, black, pinto, great northern, red and pink beans. These medium seeded materials perform much better on the finer textured, heavier-clay soils.

Flash | Windows Media

Weed Control in Sugar Beets
01.40

Researchers at the Saginaw Valley Bean and Beet Research farm are looking at weed management systems for weed control in sugar beets. They're looking at different methods and types of control. Growers view weed management as one of their toughest issues in sugar beets.

Flash | Windows Media