The University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Agricultural Research Centers are spread throughout the state and conduct research on everything from corn to shrimp.

The Research Centers represent the uniqueness of agriculture in Missouri. With fertile soil, the Fisher Delta Research Center, located in the Bootheel region, studies rice and cotton. In the northwest part of the state, the Graves-Chapple and Hundley-Whaley Research Centers investigate best management practices for corn and soybeans. At the Horticulture and Agroforestry Research Center, in central Missouri, multiple disciplines are explored, such as plant pathology and agronomy.

The Graves-Chapple Research Center set an attendance record during last year’s Field Day. More than 200 guests attended the event.

To showcase the endless research taking place at each Research Center, there will be numerous Field Days during the next several months.

“Field days allow our faculty, staff and graduate students to connect with local stakeholders in the true spirit of our land-grant mission by delivering region-specific information on current challenges and advancements in agriculture,” said Marc Linit, senior associate director, MU Agricultural Experiment Station.

There will be a few changes to the Field Day schedule this year. Graves-Chapple, in Rock Port, and Hundley-Whaley, in Albany, will both host Field Days on Tuesday, Aug. 23. Graves-Chapple will begin at 8 a.m. with Hundley-Whaley starting at 5 p.m. In the past, these northwestern Centers have held their Field Days on back-to-back days.

The Southwest Research Center, in Mt. Vernon, will move their Field Day from a Friday to a Saturday. Their Field Day will be on Saturday, Sept. 10, this year. Southwest will showcase their variety of research offerings, including their vineyard.

Southwest will also have Field Days focused on blackberries and alternative fruits and nuts after their main Field Day.

The South Farm Research Center will celebrate their 10th Showcase in September. The South Farm Showcase has grown each year, and had more than 16,000 in attendance last year. Jefferson Farm and Garden will also be part of the South Farm Showcase again this year.

The Bradford Research Center in Columbia offers individuals several specific Field Days, with focuses on elderberries, bobwhite quail and monarchs, and organic research.

The Forage Systems Research Center is focused on developing and evaluating forage systems for all classes of beef cattle.

Beef cattle production and issues will be looked at in-depth during the Thompson Research Center Field Day in Spickard. The Greenley Research Center, near Kirksville, will showcase their numerous variety trials, each of which helps farmers pick up the best seed.

At HARC, the annual Chestnut Roast will be back. The Chestnut Roast ran from 2003 to 2010. After a few years away, the event was revived last year. This year’s roast will be Oct. 8. The Forage Systems Research Center has years of research in forage production in northern Missouri. The Wurdack Research Center, in the Ozark hills, combines numerous production aspects, including programs to improve forage, beef, agroforestry and timber.

For more information about each of the CAFNR Research Centers, visit cafnr.org.

Schedule of Field Days at CAFNR Agricultural Research Centers