University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) specialists and UGA Cooperative Extension agents hosted a Row Crop Field Day on Aug. 15, 2018, at the Southeast Georgia Research and Education Center in Midville, Georgia. The field day highlighted the facility’s research on Georgia row crops such as cotton, peanuts, corn and soybeans.
“This facility was ‘moth-balled’ from 2004 through 2007 with the intention of closing it permanently at some point,” said Anthony Black, superintendent of the Midville center. “A field day was organized in summer of 2007 to showcase Extension agents' work and other research that was still going on. It highlighted the importance of the center and helped build the case for reopening. The center reopened to full capacity in January 2008. Myself, along with local Extension agents, have continued to hold the field day annually to continue to build support.”
This year’s field day consisted of presentations from UGA agronomists, entomologists, plant pathologists, commodity specialists, research professionals, engineers and Extension agents on a variety of row crop research topics, such as commodity updates, diseases, early insect detection, variety testing and irrigation management. A drone was also demonstrated. Research trials at the center are conducted on a large-scale to replicate field day attendees’ farms.
“Producers really value upscale trials,” said Peyton Sapp, UGA Extension coordinator in Burke County. “This research center provides variety trial crops double the size of other stations and the research is done in an efficient way.”
Almost 150 growers, agents and specialists attended the event. Attendees received two hours of Commercial and Private Pesticide Credits.
“These field days serve as a direct conduit between the growers, agents and scientists,” said Mark McCann, assistant dean for UGA Extension. “This station is a hub for specialists to conduct research, agents to receive credibility, and farmers to gain knowledge, all with the benefit of improving crops in Georgia.”
The field day concluded with a presentation from Georgia Rep. Rick Allen.
In addition to the annual field day, the Midville center hosts trainings and workshops throughout the year for cotton, peanuts, corn and soybean growers.
For more information about the Southeast Georgia Research and Education Center, visit t.uga.edu/4oT. To find out about upcoming UGA Extension field days and events, visit extension.uga.edu/calendar.
