Strong rainstorms didn’t dim Jennifer Miller’s first Hundley-Whaley Research Center twilight tour.
Miller was named the Center’s superintendent in April. She brought in a variety of speakers for the annual twilight tour, which took place on Tuesday, Aug. 28. Topics ranged from drought to pollinators.
“I know that the rain changed our schedule a little bit, but I want to thank all of our guests who stuck around and heard from our great speakers,” Miller said. “I thought the evening was a great success. Thanks to all who braved the weather.”
Tour wagons traveled throughout the Center for around an hour before heavy rain pushed the speakers and attendees inside. The presentations were broken into three primary topics – drought impact in northwest Missouri, sustainable agriculture and agronomic crop decisions.
Eric Bailey, Missouri state beef Extension specialist, discussed management options to extend hay supply during the drought tour. Eric Redden, Gentry County USDA, presented on 2018 corn and soybean drought program options, and Andy Luke, field specialist in agronomy, talked about herbicide carryover in drought conditions.
The agronomic crops decisions tour featured an update on dicamba by Kevin Bradley, professor in the Division of Plant Sciences. Visiting scholar Erick Martinez presented on MU’s current projects related to Japanese beetles. John Travlos, AgEBB system administrator, shared information on the Missouri Mesonet and the Horizon Point Site-Specific Weather System.
The sustainable agriculture tour showcased a wide variety of topics and speakers. Tom Fowler, Buchanan County Extension, presented on growing tomatoes for market. Jake Swafford, Pheasants and Quail Forever, and beekeeper Raymond Heldenbrand, talked about introducing wildlife and pollinator habitat to properties and catching a honey bee swarm, respectively.
Carl Blake II, who has been featured on The Colbert Report, discussed how he became a producer of Iowa Swabian Hall pigs.
“All of our speakers brought important information for our attendees,” Miller said. “We had some unique topics, which is important for our audience. We want to showcase all aspects of agriculture.”
For a closer look at the Hundley-Whaley Research Center field day, visit: flickr.com/photos/cafnr/albums/72157700759881355/with/44348672441/.