PORTAGEVILLE, MO. -- Staying current with the rapid movement of agriculture can be a chore.
The 54th annual Fisher Delta Research Center Field Day, set for Wednesday, Sept. 2, will look to help farmers wade through those changes with discussions on several agricultural topics.
Rice, cotton, corn and soybeans will also be discussed during the Field Day. Tours run from 8:30 a.m. to 1:10 p.m.
"We have a fabulous team and a great group of researchers," Director Trent Haggard said. "During this Field Day, you will get to see the highlights of their research, which covers the newest and hottest topics in agriculture."
While the Delta Research Center does share some similarities to other regions of Missouri, the land more closely resembles western Tennessee, eastern Arkansas and western Mississippi. The theme for the 2015 Field Day -- "Delta Agriculture on the Move" -- pertains to the entire Delta.
"Our research always relates to the entire Delta region," Haggard said. "The Delta and Missouri boot heel have extremely prolific soils. It's a hyper-productive area."
Corn, beans, rice, cotton, wheat and milo can all be found in the Delta. FDRC's Field Day will take a look at most of them.
Gene Stevens, plant sciences extension associate professor, will present on impacting yield through variable rate seed, fertilizer and irrigation regimes. Stevens will also have a second presentation on using a smartphone app to manage your irrigation needs. Both presentations will be during the corn and pollinator tour.
Moneen Jones and Bob Walters will also present on new initiatives to benefit the overall health of bee colonies, as well as the many crops that bees pollinate.
Matt Rhine, research associate, and David Dunn, soil and tissue lab associate, will both speak on the impact of rice.
"The rice tour will highlight the University of Missouri rice variety trials, research on chalkiness in rice and proper potash management," Haggard said.
Grover Shannon, professor of plant sciences, and Andrew Scaboo, senior research scientist, will showcase upcoming soybean releases to enhance Delta producers' productivity and profitability.
"At this year's Field Day, we are sharing our work on variable rate irrigation, stewardship of fertilizer in several crops and assisting the local bee population," Haggard said. "That work is just a small sample of ways our research continue to enhance our natural resources."
The FDRC Field Day will also include three presentations on cotton and weed science. From variety trials to new weed technologies, numerous topics will be covered.
"The cotton and weed tour will highlight the newest varieties for cotton, along with the new weed technology available to maximize cotton revenue and minimize weed drag," Haggard said.
The Fisher Delta Research Center is located in Portageville, Mo. For more information, call 573-379-5431 or email HaggardT@missouri.edu. You can also visit their website at http://delta.cafnr.org/.
Cotton and Weed Science Tour
Official Cotton Variety Trials -- Andrea Jones
Understanding Challenges of New Weed Technologies -- Jim Heiser
Stewardship of Water and Fertilizer in Irrigated Cotton -- Earl Vories
Soybeans Tour
Showcasing Future Soybean Options for Delta Growers -- Grover Shannon
Developing Conventional Soybeans for Missouri Farmers -- Andrew Scaboo
Rice Tour - Rice Variety Trials and Factors Impacting Chalkiness in Rice -- Matt Rhine
Positive Impacts of Proper Potash Management in Rice -- David Dunn
Corn and Pollinator Tour - Impacting Yield Through Variable Rate Seed, Fertilizer and Irrigation Regimes -- Gene Stevens
Managing Your Irrigation Needs Using a Smartphone App -- Gene Stevens
Reinvigorating the Missouri Bee Population Through the Missouri Pollinator Conservancy Program -- Moneen Jones and Bob Walters