Throughout the year, MU College of Agriculture Food & Natural Resources research specialists in Missouri are busy collecting data and observing dozens of studies. Most of the studies occur far from the Columbia campus, in small towns at every corner of the state. This world-renowned research will be on display for the public in full-force this month as several Field Days are planned.
Make sure to mark these dates on your calendars:
August 27
Graves-Chapple Field Day
Graves-Chapple Research Center, Rock Port
Speakers will highlight topics such as include pest management practices, nutrition and herbicide applications, farm income prospects for input and marketing practices, cover crop varities and field scouting techniques.
For more information, visit http://aes.missouri.edu/graves/ or call 660-744-6231.
August 28
Hundley-Whaley Field Day
Hundley-Whaley Research Center, Albany
A highlight of this year’s field day is the opportunity for landowners to get a soil-health analysis performed on the spot. University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources specialists will be on hand to test for active carbon in soil samples and provide feedback to landowners to improve the quality of their land. Tour topics will include cover crops for forage and soil health, nitrogen availability losses, new fescue and soybean varieties, and study results for controlling different weed species. New technology available to landowners will be showcased with a drone demonstration to perform aerial scouting analysis.
For more information, visit http://aes.missouri.edu/hundwhal/ or call 660-726-3698.
August 29
Fisher Delta Center Field Day
Fisher Delta Research Center, Portageville
This year’s theme, “Meeting the Diverse Needs of Missouri Agriculture,” describes what Fisher Delta Center’s research is about and sums up the topics covered at this year’s Field Day. Tour topics will include more energy-efficient ways to irrigate, nitrogen management in dry and wet years, specialized irrigation management for different soybean maturity groups, and using a smartphone to manage water deficiencies. Information from trials of new cotton, soybean, corn and wheat varieties also will be available. Back again this year is the FFA program, geared to inform students about the importance of agriculture and how rewarding a life on the farm can be. Last year, more than 500 high school students attended the program, which runs simultaneously throughout the day. The field day also will honor the career of departing plant pathologist Allen Wrather, who has been with the research center for 33 years during his illustrious 41-year career with the University of Missouri.
For more information, visit http://aes.missouri.edu/delta/ or call 573-379-5431.
September 5
Tomato Festival
Bradford Research Center, Columbia
The 9th Annual Tomato Festival has quickly grown to a favorite of many Missourians. Samples from 168 tomato varieties and more than 100 pepper species will be available for the public to taste. New to this year will be a cook-off between local chefs to see who can whip-up the best tomato dish. More than a dozen restaurants also will be on hand serving tomato-themed dishes and salsas showcasing the varieties grown at the research center.
For more information, visit http://aes.missouri.edu/bradford/ or call 573-884-7945.
September 17
Thompson Field Day
Thompson Research Center, Columbia
Studies at Thompson Research Center are focused on reproductive performance, heifer development, supplementation strategies and animal health factors. Findings from this research will be on display at the annual Field Day.
For more information, visit http://aes.missouri.edu/thompson/ or call 573-884-0934.
September 21
South Farm Showcase
South Farm Research Center, Columbia
Perfect for families, the South Farm Showcase is full of activities for kids and parents to enjoy. Take a chance at a hole-in-one at one of the putting greens, run the bases on a baseball field, experience a live wood-chopping demonstration or stop by the petting zoo for a close encounter with a friendly farm animal. Information about land management strategies and gardening tips also will be available. A variety of world-renowned MU specialist will be on hand to answer any questions on a variety of topics from pigs to pine trees.
For more information, visit http://aes.missouri.edu/sfarms/ or call 573-882-4450.
September 25
Forage Systems Field Day
Forage Systems Research Center, Columbia
More pounds of beer per acre sums up some reports at the Forage Systems Research Center Field Day. Talks also will include information on beef production, timber stand improvement, improving fescue pastures and pregnancy diagnosis as well as ways to grow more forage per acre.
For more information, visit http://aes.missouri.edu/fsrc/ or call 660 895-5121.
October 4
Wurdack Field Day
Hugo Wurdack Research Center, Cook Station
For more information, visit http://aes.missouri.edu/wurdack/ or call 573-999-1541.
October 5
Horticulture and Agroforestry Research Center Field Day
Horticulture and Agroforestry Research Center, New Franklin
For more information, visit http://aes.missouri.edu/harc/ or call 660-848-2268.