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Farmer chooses unlikely alternative for crop
BLODGETT -- When planting season for soybeans arrived last spring, Donnie Beggs passed.
After experiencing four bad seasons over the past five years of soybean seasons, the Blodgett farmer thought he would try something different on his farm located north of Sikeston, just outside of Blodgett. So he did some research, contracted a buyer and planted 330 acres of sunflowers.
"If I could get 45 to 50 bushels per acre it'd be fine, but when you're in the sand and get 25 to 30 bushels, it's a problem," Beggs said.
Also nematodes were an obstacle in Beggs' soybean fields so that was another reason to try something different, he said. Since the sunflower doesn't host on any of the nematodes in his fields, Beggs thought alternating crops might also help rid of the plant-damaging worms.
Another big plus -- in addition to being an eye-catching crop -- sunflowers are also drought tolerant, Beggs said.
"They need as much water as corn, but because of their deeper root system, sunflowers are able to tap water in the ground," said Beggs, adding he also irrigates the crop.
But growing the flowers isn't all sunshine, either.
"The problem with growing sunflowers in Southeast Missouri is the market. There's not a whole lot of buyers around here," Beggs said.
Last year the area accounted for only two-and-a-half weeks supply of sunflowers, which is why Beggs contracted the crop for bird seed before planting.
Sunflowers can also be marketed for oil, but the closest flower pressing mill is 300 to 400 miles away.
"It's more expensive (than soybeans) because you have to fertilize with nitrogen, and you have to have a special header for sun crops," Beggs said.
But if everything goes well, it's possible for Beggs to come out ahead with the alternative crop.
Debi Kelly, project manager for Missouri Alternatives Center, which is part of the University of Missouri Extension in Columbia, said she knows growing sunflowers is pretty common in Missouri.
"There are quite a few people in the state growing them for bird seed market," Kelly said.
However, most of sunflower growers are in central and western part of the state, and Missouri isn't a leading producer of sunflowers.
When choosing an alternative crop, there are several things to keep in mind, Kelly said.
"Depending around what type of alternative crop you choose, make sure there's an established market before you put anything into the ground. Or if looking at any kind of small fruit or something, you should start small and grow as the market grows," Kelly suggested.
Most of the people Kelly talks to about alternative crops are pretty open-
minded about making a change, she said.
"They want to be a price setter, not a price taker," Kelly said. "And a lot of times, if you raise some of the traditional crops then that price is already set. With alternative crops, it's a different type of wanting and looking for setting that certain price."
Finding alternatives in agriculture is nothing new to Beggs. In the fall, he opens his family farm up to the public with a "u-pick" pumpkin patch, giant corn maze and other activities. In the spring he hosts other ag-related family festivals.
And if growing sunflowers proves successful, Beggs said he and his wife are considering offering fee hunting on their land because, well, doves love sunflowers.
The harvest season for sunflowers begins in mid-August. But until then, at least for the next few days, motorists traveling southbound on Interstate 55, between Benton and Sikeston, can look to their right and spot the patch of bright yellow sunflowers.
Beggs welcomes the spectators, but warns: "They were prettier last week."
For more information about alternative crops, visit Missouri Alternatives Center's Web site at agebb.missouri.edu/mac.