By Blake Jackson
The University of Missouri Graves-Chapple Extension and Education Center will host its 2024 field day on August 27, offering a comprehensive program focused on pest management, technology, and crop management.
This free event will feature a variety of tours, beginning with breakfast at 7:30 a.m. and continuing until 11:15 a.m., followed by lunch served at noon.
Jim Crawford, the Graves-Chapple director, emphasizes the significance of technological advancements in agriculture. “The amount of data that can be collected using drones and autonomous robots is staggering,” Crawford said. “Assisting producers on how to utilize this collected data to make good decisions for their operations is the next important piece of this puzzle. We believe using this data can help producers increase their productivity and profitability.”
The field day will include three distinct tours. The pest management tour features presentations by Kevin Bradley on “Weed Management Considerations for 2025 and Beyond,” Mandy Bish on “Tar Spot, Southern Rust and Other Diseases of Corn and Soybeans,” and Wayne Flanary on “Biological Product Research.”
The technology tour will showcase innovations with Michelle Maile discussing “USDA Crop Research Using the EarthSense TerraSentia Robot,” Trace Thompson and Jesse Rogers presenting on “Herbicides and Drones: Are We There Yet?”
Kent Shannon exploring “AI in Agriculture: What Does It All Mean?” and Zack Leasor providing insights on “Weather Outlook and Real-Time Local Monitoring.”
The crop management tour includes Ben Brown on “Ag Economy: How Bad Is It Going To Get?” Leon McIntyre discussing “How Hybrid Corn Is Produced,” Andre Froes de Borja Reis on “Soybean In-Season Management Tool: Yield Estimation & Growth Reports,” and Juo-Han Tsay covering “Outlook for Missouri Farmland Prices and Rents.”
Steve Klute, chairman of the Graves-Chapple advisory board, underscores the importance of staying informed about new technologies. “It’s important to see what technology is out there and what can make or save you money,” Klute said. Demonstrations will include Mizzou’s Monarch autonomous electric tractor, which will pull a tour wagon to showcase its capabilities.
The MU Graves-Chapple Extension and Education Center is located off Interstate 29 at 29955 Outer Road in Atchison County, south of Rock Port.
Photo Credit: university-of-missouri
Categories: Missouri, Crops, Education