New service center unveiled at annual MU Delta Research Center

Missouri

A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new service center at the University of Missouri Delta Research Center will kick off the center's annual field day, Aug. 31.

The 14,100-square-foot facility, which is located at the Lee Farm, replaces the center's current shop, which was built in 1961, said Jake Fisher, Delta Center superintendent. Grants totaling nearly $400,000 from USDA Rural Development and the Delta Regional Authority funded the construction.

"We're excited about it," Fisher said. "This building gives our researchers a place to adjust equipment, make repairs and fabricate special tools for their projects. Also, in the event of an earthquake, it will serve as a supply warehouse for the region."

This year's field day features five crop production research tours, which will run continuously throughout the day, roughly on the half hour, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

On the weed management tour, MU Extension weed specialist Andy Kendig will talk about recommendations for controlling glyphosate-resistant horseweed; MU graduate student Jim Heiser will discuss how reintroducing older, broad-spectrum herbicides can help control new weed problems in rice; Delta research specialist Chad Smith will address Palmer amaranth control; and MU Extension regional agronomist Anthony Ohmes will present strategies for reducing the chances for developing herbicide resistance.

The crop production tour features three stops. MU rice agronomist Brian Ottis will discuss the potential savings from reduced seedling rates in rice; MU agronomist Gene Stevens will talk about a new project comparing 58 corn varieties for ethanol production; and David Dunn, supervisor of the Delta Center soil testing laboratory, will give an overview of fertility research conducted at the center.

MU Extension plant pathologist Allen Wrather will lead off the soybean tour with a summary on soybean rust, including research updates on the development of rust-resistant varieties, foliar fungicide evaluation and effects of soybean planting date. MU soybean agronomist Grover Shannon will introduce visitors to two new soybean cyst nematode-resistant varieties--Jake and Stoddard--that were released this year. He also will discuss the progress of flood-tolerant soybean research.

On the cotton tour, MU Extension regional agronomist Mike Milam and MU senior research specialist Andrea Phillips will talk about the importance of cotton variety selection to meet the needs of land type and management style. Earl Vories, engineer with the USDA Agricultural Research Service, will present a new project at the Delta Center to use sensors to predict nitrogen needs in cotton.

The irrigation tour features three stops. John Engram of Lakeside Ag LLC will talk about twin row production of corn, soybeans and cotton; MU agricultural engineer Bill Casady will discuss ways to decrease irrigation pumping costs; and Joe Henggeler from the Delta Center will present guidelines for determining when to terminate irrigation in corn and soybeans.

A free lunch will be served beginning at 11:30 a.m. in the Rone Exhibit Hall at Lee Farm, where representatives from agribusiness industries will have display booths. Meal sponsors include Associated Electric, Missouri Corn Growers Association and FMC Corporation.

The MU Lee Farm is located eight miles southeast of Portageville at the intersection of State routes T and TT. For more information, call the center at 573-379-5431. The Delta Research Center is a part of the University of Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station.

Date: 8/24/06

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