Important meetings, trade shows, field days and conferences for those involved in Mid-South agriculture. To list your organization’s special event in the Delta Farm Press Calendar of Events, e-mail details, including contact person, phone number, etc., to: Ed Phillips, ephillips@farmpress.com.

 

May 29: Memphis Agricultural Club Meeting & Luncheon, C wing of Agricenter International, Memphis, Tenn., at noon. David Weiler, director of marketing and sales for LightWave Solar, will be the speaker. The Agricenter has recently installed a Solar Array, located along Walnut Grove Road. The 998.4 kW Solar Array is the largest, most productive single axis tracking solar electric installation in the state. Weiler will make a presentation concerning the project to the Ag Club and then attendees will go to the Solar Array site to see it in operation first hand. Contact: James Pendleton, James.Pendleton@prudential.com.

May 30: Southwest Louisiana Rice Field Day.Rice farmers will have the chance to hear from LSU AgCenter scientists and to tour the new railroad loading facility at Lacassine, La. The day begins with registration and coffee at 9 a.m. at the Fenton Rice Cooperative at 1311 U.S. Highway 165, Fenton, La. From there, the event will travel to the Jimmy Hoppe farm, where LSU AgCenter scientists will make presentations on variety development, pest control, fertilization and the condition of the Louisiana rice crop. The field day then moves to Lacassine to tour the rail loading facility that will be used for rice, followed by lunch at the Progressive Tractor Company.

May 30-31: Conservation In Action Tour 2012, Mississippi Delta. The Conservation Technology Information Team and Delta Farmers Advocating Resource Management (Delta F.A.R.M.). Information-packed, one-day tour that will showcase innovative producers and partnerships recognized for finding solutions to Southern agriculture’s conservation challenges. Producers, legislators, government agencies, agribusiness, ag organizations, conservation groups, media and others will join the Conservation In Action Tour on May 31 in the Mississippi Delta. Area farmers and other experts will discuss water quantity and water quality concerns, monitoring, herbicide resistance, wildlife habitat management and more. The Conservation In Action Tour 2012 offers participants a unique opportunity to see Delta conservation first hand and participate in discussions about: nutrient reduction strategies to address hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico, management strategies to battle herbicide resistance, and the connection between wildlife habitat management and agricultural conservation. Learn more about and register for the Tour at www.ctic.org/CIATours. Registration includes an evening social on May 30, snacks, bus transportation, breakfast, lunch and dinner on the Tour. Early registration runs through May 1. For more information, contact Amber Gritter at (765) 494-9555.

May 31: Southeast Research Station Forage Field Day, Southeast Research Station in Franklinton, La. In addition to celebrating the 125th anniversary of the Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station, LSU AgCenter scientists and specialists will present ways to improve pasture. The event will begin with registration at 8:30 a.m. and continue at 9 a.m. with a discussion of amendments for forage production, according to Mike McCormick, resident coordinator at the station. Other topics to be discussed include ways to manage summer forages for high yield and quality, Holstein steer growth from pasture and agriculture-byproduct supplementation, and a panel discussion of successful beef, dairy and equine forage programs. The indoor program will be followed by outdoor stops to view forage equipment demonstrations and a tour of plots of new brown midrib millet and other summer annuals. A barbecue lunch will be followed by informal viewing of the dairy nutrition project, which includes evaluating corn distiller’s solubles, alfalfa/clover plots, brown midrib millet summer annual plots, organic-versus-commercial fertilizer plots, dairy nutrient management lagoons, the forage lab and confinement dairy facilities. For field day information, contact McCormick at (985) 839-2322.

June 6: LSU AgCenter Red River Research Station Crop Production Field Day, Bossier City, La. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. with the field tour beginning at 9 a.m., according to regional director Pat Colyer. Topics to be discussed by LSU AgCenter Research faculty during the field tour include: Mid-South cotton seed treatment trial, biocontrol of musk thistle, effect of zinc rate and source on corn yields, greenhouse tomato research, beef cattle research, disease management in field crops, soybean breeding and research, variety testing at Red River Research Station, forages to complement bermudagrass and bahiagrass pastures. In addition to the field tour, a sponsored lunch will be provided at noon. The Red River Research Station is located at 262 Research Station Drive, south of Bossier City. More information is available from Colyer at (318) 741-7430. Please RSVP to Donna Reeves at (318) 741-7430, extension 1107.

June 9: LSU AgCenter School of Animal Sciences Beef Field Day, Crossbred Beef Unit on Ben Hur Drive in Baton Rouge, La. Registration will begin at 9 a.m. followed by welcome and introductions by LSU AgCenter administrators at 9:30, according to Gary Hay, director of the school. The program begins at 10 a.m. with the following topics presented: Beef quality assurance, source and age verification & ultrasound for carcass traits, beef breeding research, and enhancing reproductive performance. The overall theme of the field day is adding value to your calf crop. A tour of the Ag Containment Facility and the Beef Research Units at the Central Research Station will follow. The Ben Hur farm is located off Louisiana Highway 30 south of the LSU campus. More information is available from Hay at (225) 578-3241.

June 11-13: Annual Meeting of the National Agricultural Biotechnology Council, Fayetteville Town Center, Fayetteville, Ark. “Water Sustainability in Agriculture” is the theme. The conference’s hosts are the University of Arkansas System of Agriculture and the UA Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences. The NABC was founded in 1988 and is a consortium of 36 leading agricultural research and teaching universities, government agencies and institutions. It is based at the campus of Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y. Registration for the conference is available at http://uark.edu/ua/afls1234/webforms/registration_nabc24.html. The keynote address will be delivered by Marc Andreini, research fellow at the University of Nebraska Daugherty Water for Food Institute, on water management in Africa. Other topic areas include: Agricultural adaptations to water needs, Water Management and Policy, Agriculture’s role in environmental and consumer issues, and Preparing for future challenges. More information is at the conference website at http://nabc24.uark.edu.

June 12: Fruits of the Backyard, Middle Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center, Spring Hill, Tenn. 8:30 a.m. Learn more about gardening with a special focus on the production of small fruits like blueberries and grapes. Contact: Ginger Rowsey, gtrice@tennessee.edu, (731) 425-4768.

June 14: 2012 Northeast Research Station Pest Management and Crop Production Field Day, Northeast Research Station, 4589 Hwy. 605, St. Joseph, La. Coffee and doughnuts at 8:30 a.m., field tours begin at 9:00 a.m. Topics to be discussed by LSU AgCenter Research and Extension faculty during the field tour include: Using NDVI Readings for On The Go Applications Late Planting Date Effects on Corn Production; Insect Pest Management Issues & Research Weed Management Research Topics; Soil pH Effects on Plant Growth and Development; Planting Date and Choice of Maturity Group in Louisiana Soybean Production; Poultry Litter Compost Effects on Cotton Yield & Soil Fertility Management. Pest management and crop production updates will be provided following the field tour. Sponsored lunch will be provided at noon. Contact Donnie Miller, resident coordinator, at (318) 766-4607 or dmiller@agcenter.lsu.edu for information concerning the field day.

June 14: Pigweed Field Day, Delta Research and Extension Center, Stoneville, Miss. For more information, contact Dr. Tom Eubank at teubank@drec.msstate.edu or (662) 686-3232, or Dr. Jason Bond at jbond@drec.msstate.edu or (662) 686-3282.

June 14: Beef and Dairy Field Day, East Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center-Little River Unit, Walland, Tenn. 7:30 a.m. Informative sessions on production and management issues affecting beef and dairy producers. Contact: Patty McDaniels, pmcdaniels@tennessee.edu, (615) 835-4570.

June 14-15: 2012 Tri-State Pecan Convention & Trade Show, Natchitoches Pecans and the Natchitoches Events Center, 750 2nd St., Natchitoches La. Members from the Louisiana, Mississippi and Arkansas Pecan Growers Associations will be present. Begins June 14 at Mark and Julie Swanson’s Natchitoches Pecans, 439 Little Eva Rd., Cloutierville, La. In the afternoon at the Natchitoches Events Center, exhibits will be open and the various pecan growers associations will hold their board of directors meetings, followed by general membership meetings. Activities on June 15 will be held at the Events Center. Lunch will be provided in the Exhibit Hall. The convention will end with the traditional Pecan Prognostication by Ben Littlepage. For more information, contact Stephen Norman (318) 448-3139 or pecans@rosaliepecans.com.

June 15-16: Bootheel Farm Toy Show, Rone Hall, University of Missouri Delta Center, outside of Portageville, Mo. June 15 – 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. June 16 - 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Contact Jeremy Angotti, (573) 724-0056.

June 19: Green Industry Field Day, UT Gardens-UT Agricultural Campus, Knoxville, Tenn. 8 a.m. New event devoted to Tennessee’s booming green industry including nursery and greenhouse growers and landscapers. Contact: Lorna Norwood, lnorwoo1@utk.edu, (865) 974-7141.

June 21-22: Mid-South Chapter of the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers Summer Meeting, Alluvian Hotel, Greenwood, Miss. Educational opportunities for rural appraisers as well as farm managers. Those practicing or interested in the appraisal profession will be able to attend an eight-hour course, Best Appraisal Practices (four hours each day). The class will offer eight hours of continuing education to certified appraisers (subject to individual state approval). The course will be taught by Clay Caver of AXA Equitable Agrifinance and Erik Roget of UBS AgriVest. Those interested in farm management can attend a four-hour seminar on the cotton outlook by Merideth Allen, president and CEO of Staplcotn. On June 22, farm managers will be led by Mississippi State University economists in a four-hour discussion on implications of new farm bill legislation. Those interested in attending may contact Mid-South Chapter President Drew Vance at (501) 551-3170 for registration information.

 

June 27: Annual Southeast Missouri Corn Growers Golf Tournament, Hidden Trails Country Club, Dexter, Mo., 9 a.m. Registration is $75 per person or $300 per 4-person team. Registration includes 18 holes of golf, cart, lunch and a one-year membership with the Missouri Corn Growers Association. Sign-up with full player information and payment by June 13 and receive $25 off a team registration. Prizes are given away for longest drive, longest putt and closest to the pin, as well as other door prizes. To register, call (800) 827-4181 or visit www.mocorn.org. Online registration is available. Contact: Matthew Amick, (800) 827-4181.

 

June 28: Tobacco, Beef and More, Highland Rim AgResearch and Education Center, Springfield, Tenn. 7 a.m. Attend presentations that focus on beef and forage production challenges as well as tobacco production related developments. Enjoy complimentary lunch following presentations. Contact: Ginger Rowsey, gtrice@tenneseee.edu, (731) 425-4768.

July 12: Summer Celebration, West Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center, Jackson, Tenn. 10 a.m. Garden talks led by regional plant experts, a diverse plant sale, cooking demonstrations, wagon tours, and a Plant Diagnostic Center. Admission $5 for adults. Free for children 17 and under. Contact: Ginger Rowsey, gtrice@tennessee.edu, (731) 425-4768.

July 12: Terral Seed Corn, Grain Sorghum and Soybean Field Day at Terral Seed Research Station in Greenville, Miss. Registration begins at 3:30 P.M. Featured speakers include: Dr. Phil Michener, Terral Seed Director of Agronomic Services; Marty Hale, agronomist; and Cord Willms, Texas DSM. Other activities will include a social hour, drawings and a banquet at Harlow’s Casino. For more details, contact Suzanne Sitton at (318) 231-8804 or e-mail ssitton@terralseed.com.

July 19: Soybean and Corn Field Day, MSU’s Delta Research and Extension Center, Stoneville, Miss. Registration will begin at 2 p.m., with trailer tours of field plots beginning at 3:30 p.m. A reception will follow at 5:45 p.m. at the Delta Council building in Stoneville. For more information on the field day or to preregister, visit http://www.msucares.com/drec. Preregistration is required to be eligible for door prizes. Direct questions to Charles Smith at (662) 686-3207 or cmsmith@drec.msstate.edu.

July 19: Agronomic Crops Field Day, R.R. Foil Plant Science Research Center in Starkville, Miss. The field day will begin at 9 a.m. with field tours concluding at 11 a.m. Lunch will be provided and will be served immediately upon completion of field tours. A broad array of projects will be highlighted, including but not limited to: cotton, corn, and soybean variety/hybrid demonstrations; irrigation impacts on crop production; new transgenic cropping systems including dicamba tolerant cotton; agronomic and fertility demonstrations; various insect efficacy trials; as well as many more. Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) credits will be offered.

July 19: Tobacco and Forage Production Field Day, AgResearch and Education Center at Greeneville, Tenn. 3 p.m. New event devoted to tobacco and forage production and management. Contact: Patty McDaniels, pmcdaniels@tennessee.edu, (615) 835-4570.

July 25: Tennessee Soybean Promotion Board Summer Meeting, Jackson, Tenn.

July 26: Milan No-Till Field Day, AgResearch and Education Center at Milan, Tenn. 7 a.m. Presentations on research involving every major row crop grown in Tennessee, delivered by leading crop experts from across the Mid-South. Will also feature workshops on weed, insect and disease management, financial planning and emerging biofuels markets. Contact: Ginger Rowsey, growsey@tennessee.edu, (731) 425-4768.

July 26: Progeny Ag Field Day, Progeny Ag Research Farm, located 3 miles west of Wynne, Ark. on Highway 64. Crop tours, equipment demos, university speakers, and lunch provided. (888) 535-7333 for additional details.

July 31: Rice Field Day, MSU’s Delta Research and Extension Center, Stoneville, Miss. Registration will begin at 2 p.m., with trailer tours of field plots beginning at 3:30 p.m. A reception will follow at 5:45 p.m. at the Delta Council building in Stoneville. For more information on the field day or to preregister, visit http://www.msucares.com/drec. Preregistration is required to be eligible for door prizes. Direct questions to Charles Smith at (662) 686-3207 or cmsmith@drec.msstate.edu.

Aug. 7: Steak and Potatoes Field Day, Plateau AgResearch and Education Center, Crossville, Tenn. 8 a.m. Offers seminars on the production of beef cattle and the production and processing of fruits and vegetables for commercial or home use. Contact: Patty McDaniels, pmcdaniels@tennessee.edu, (615) 835-4570.

Aug. 28: Fall Gardeners’ Festival, Plateau AgResearch and Education Center, Crossville, Tenn. 10 a.m. Garden workshops and tours of the center’s discovery gardens. Contact: Patty McDaniels, pmcdaniels@tennessee.edu, (615) 835-4570.

Sept. 5: Cotton Field Day, West Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center, Jackson, Tenn. 8 a.m. Cotton experts from across the region will inform you on variety performance, irrigation effectiveness, and weed and insect management. Contact: Ginger Rowsey, gtrice@tennessee.edu, (731) 425-4768.

Sept. 13: Turfgrass and Ornamental Field Day, East Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center-Plant Sciences Unit, Knoxville, Tenn. 7:30 a.m. Features current research on strategies for managing infestations of turfgrass weeds and diseases, cultivar evaluations and programs for maximizing the quality of athletic field turf. New this year, an increased focus on ornamental plants. Contact: Patty McDaniels, pmcdaniels@tennessee.edu, (615) 835-4570.

Sept. 22: Forest Resources Field Day, Forest Resources Research and Education Center, Oak Ridge Forest 8:30 a.m. See demonstrations of optimal forest and wildlife management technologies. Contact: Patty McDaniels, pmcdaniels@tennessee.edu, (615) 835-4570.

Sept. 27: Pumpkin Field Day, West Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center, Jackson, Tenn. 1 p.m. Pumpkin production workshops for both commercial-scale growers as well as homeowners, fall-themed cooking classes, wagon rides, and the largest pumpkin display in Tennessee. Contact: Ginger Rowsey, gtrice@tennessee.edu, (731) 425-4768.

Oct. 6: Second annual Mississippi Peanut Festival, Mitchell Farms, Collins, Miss. Festival will spotlight Mississippi peanuts, and will include agritourism enterprises of Mitchell Farms, including a pumpkin patch, maze, arts and crafts exhibitors, collectibles, yard art, rides, food and other family-oriented attractions. For Information, Jo Lynn Mitchell, (601) 606-0762, http://www.mitchellfarms-ms.com.

Oct. 11: Northeast Tennessee Beef Expo Field Day, AgResearch and Education Center at Greeneville 7 a.m. Learn how to enhance the efficiency and profitability of your cattle operation. Demonstrations and presentations targeted to beef cattle producers. Contact: Patty McDaniels, pmcdaniels@tennessee.edu, (615) 835-4570.

Oct. 13: Heritage Festival, AgResearch and Education Center at Ames Plantation, Grand Junction, Tenn. 9 a.m. Watch Civil War re-enactments, shop for handmade crafts and listen to old-timey gospel and bluegrass music with the help of more than 125 friendly folk artists. Admission is $5 for adults, $2 for children ages 4 to 16, free for ages 3 and under. Contact: Ginger Rowsey, gtrice@tennessee.edu, (731) 425-4768.

Oct. 20: Fall Folklore Jamboree, AgResearch and Education Center at Milan, Tenn. 9 a.m. More than 100 demonstrations of traditional farming, cooking and home life skills. Lots of activities for kids, plus tours of the West Tennessee Agricultural Museum, which features more than 15,000 agricultural antiques. Admission if $5 for adults and $2 for children ages 3 to 12. Contact: Ginger Rowsey, gtrice@tennessee.edu, (731) 425-4768.

Oct. 24-25: Biomass Field Day: From Grow to Go, Vonore, Tenn. Learn more about the emerging biomass market with presentations on agronomics, environmental sustainability and market development, as well as demonstrations on mowing, raking and baling from several different equipment manufacturers. Contact: Patty McDaniels, pmcdaniels@tennessee.edu, (615) 835-4570.

Nov. 14-17: Women Involved in Farm Economic’s Nation Convention, Bismarck, N.D. Contact National President, Debra Dressler, (701) 938-4246.

Nov. 28-29: Mississippi Fruit & Vegetable Growers / Agritourism Conference and Tradeshow, Hilton Hotel on County Line Road, Jackson, Miss. The Mississippi Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association will host the conference in conjunction with the Mississippi Agritourism Association. This event will feature a trade show and educational programs based on a variety of topics important to produce growers and agritourism businesses. There will be fruit and vegetable production sessions, an agritourism session and organics session. Additional information about the conference and registration can be found at www.msfruitandveg.com.