Annual Field Day Sept. 10 In Mount Vernon

MOUNT VERNON — A wide variety of agricultural research and practices will be showcased during the 53rd annual Field Day from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 10, at the Southwest Research Center, 14548 Hwy H, Mount Vernon.

The Southwest Research Center is part of a network of University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources centers across Missouri conducting research benefiting agricultural producers and natural resource managers.

Attendees can learn from tours, and presentations covering issues related to dairy, beef, forages, horticulture, vegetable and fruit production, nut trees and beekeeping.

PLANNED SPEAKERS AND

TOPICS

The following beef research and topics will include “Successes with Show-Me-Select Heifer Development,” by Eldon Cole, livestock specialist with University of Missouri Extension and “Genetic Adaptation in Beef Cattle” by Dr. Jared Decker.

Horticulture presentations will include “Black Walnut, Pecan, Hickory, and Pawpaw Research Tour,” with Andrew Thomas; “Blackberry Opportunities for Missouri,” with Patrick Byers, horticulture specialist with University of Missouri Extension; “Grape Production in Missouri,” by Dr. Dean Volenberg; and “Integrated Pest Management,” by David Middleton and Randy Garrett.

Agronomy presentations will include “Soil Interpretation,” by Jill Scheidt, agronomy specialist with University of Missouri Extension; “Benefits of Good Soil Health,” by Henry Rauch; and “Johnsongrass: The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly,” by Tim Schnakenberg, agronomy specialist with MU Extension.

A dairy presentation on “Ruminant Nutrition,” will be presented by Reagan Bluel, dairy specialist with MU Extension. “Farm Tech Innovations” will be presented by Dan Downing; “Peppers and Tomatoes” will be presented by Tim Reinbott; and “Small Ruminants” will be presented by Dr. Charlotte Clifford-Rathert.

Three speakers will also present programs related to pollinators. These include “The Lifecycle of the Butterfly,” by Kelly McGowan, horticulture educator with MU Extension; “Free Honey Bees: How Do You Capture Them,” by Terry Halleran; and “Southern Missouri Beekeepers of Monett: Honeybees & Equipment,” by John Schmidt and Scottie Scott.

SOIL HEALTH EXPO

As part of field day, the public is also invited to the fourth annual Missouri Soil Health Expo from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 10.

Special speakers at the soil health expo include Dr. Randall Miles, MU Emeritus of Soil, Environmental and Atmospheric Sciences; Ray Archuleta an NRCS Conservation Agronomist; Mark Brownlee, a St. Clair County producer; Kristen Veum, a USDA ARS, Research Soil Scientist; and Dr. Nigel Hoilett, Northwest Missouri State University, Associate Professor for School of Agricultural Sciences.

CHILDREN’S

EVENTS

New this year will be some special options for the children: a pumpkin patch with a free pumpkin for each child, a grass maze, free balloons and airplane rides (for a fee).

FOR MORE INFORMATION

For more information about the field day, contact the Southwest Research Center at 417-466-2148 or visit the center online at http://aes.missouri.edu/ swcenter/