Ethanol is the focus of Sept. 8 Field Day

Nevada Daily Mail

Traditional tours focusing on beef, dairy, crops and forages and horticulture, as well as a special program emphasis on ethanol, will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Friday, Sept. 8, at Missouri University's Southwest Agricultural Research Center Field Day.

Information on research done during the past year at MU's Southwest Center will be presented during the different tours to an anticipated crowd of 1,500 people. The research facility, site of the 47th Annual Field Day, is located about four miles southwest of Mt Vernon. From Springfield, take I-44 to Exit 44, then go two miles south on Highway H. From Joplin, take Exit 38, then go four miles east on the south outer road.

"This event has attracted thousands of visitors over the years, and continues to attract farmers of all types," said Dr. Richard Crawford, superintendent of Southwest Center.

Topics for the beef tour this year include: "Beef Efficiency Research at the SW Center," "Value of Condensed Distillers Solubles for Beef Cattle," "Grazing Systems -- Tall Fescue versus Tall Fescue and Bermuda grass," and "Cattle Theft/Branding."

The forage tour will include the following topics: "Lime for Stockpiled Tall Fescue," "Spotted Knapweed and Other Pasture Weed Problems," "RoundUp Ready Alfalfa" and "Annual Ryegrass into Bermudagrass."

Dairy tours include wagon transportation to the Southwest Center Dairy barn and presentations on the following: "Overview/Update of SW Center Dairy," "The Grazing Wedge and other New Zealand Concepts," "DDG's for Dairy Profitability," and "Cereal Rye versus Annual Ryegrass for Winter/Spring Dairy Grazing."

Horticulture enthusiasts can include a one-hour walking tour of various horticulture projects in addition to these featured presentations: "Home Gardening," "Home Fruit Production," "Grow Native!" and "Trees in the Home Landscape."

A series of special presentations will focus on ethanol and bio fuels. The ethanol topics are: "Status and Impact of the Ethanol Industry in Missouri," "Basics of Ethanol Production," "Feeding DDG's to Livestock," and "Bio-Diesel."

"With fuel prices on the rise and increased attention being given to alternative energy sources, there should be lots of interest in special programs during the day focusing on ethanol," said Crawford.

Equipment and machinery, as well as various agency, organization and agribusiness booths can be viewed during Field Day. There will also be an "Ask the Experts" clinic where you can get answers about problems with diseases, insects or weeds.

A free lunch for the first 1,000 visitors will be served at noon.

For more information, call (417) 466-2148.