MOULTRIE, Ga. — More than 400 people boarded seven trams and spent four hours touring the 600-plus-acre Darrel Williams Research Farm of the Sunbelt Ag Expo last month.
They were along for 30 stops with presentations at test and evaluation sites for their topics. These addressed seed variety, irrigation, water and moisture technology, chemical agents and equipment.
New this year was a demonstration by Thrush Aircraft from nearby Albany, Ga. Thrush is a leading producer of turbine-powered aircraft specifically designed for aerial application of both liquid and powder chemicals.
The purpose of this field day was not an introduction to the massive annual October three-day Sunbelt Expo, but rather to highlight the numerous research projects that are year-round activities on the Williams Research Farm. Most of these projects involve partnerships of the business, public and university communities.
Developers and producers of hybrid corn seed were represented as each company gave presentations against a backdrop of rows of their best current and a few experimental varieties. Dow AgroScience, Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Monsanto, Syngenta and Winfield all presented.
Likewise, cotton varieties were highlighted with particular emphasis on maturity, yield, fiber quality, herbicide and pest control tolerance and, especially, heat and drought resistance. Among the companies represented were Americot, Bayer CropScience, Monsanto, Culpepper USA and various units of the University of Georgia. In many cases the field research was funded by the Georgia Cotton Commission.
Irrigation is always a topic of much interest. Last year’s field day traversed a muddy farm, but this year was a different story, emphasizing the need for irrigation. BB Hobbs drip and solid set systems were in action, as was Cadman Power Equipment hard hose Traveller, in the form of Cadman reels and Briggs Booms.
Reinke Manufacturing and Valley Irriga-tion both have units permanently installed at the research farm. Pivots, lateral and corner machines were all discussed, with computerized technology and remote communication being the topics of the day.
The Georgia Soil & Water Conservation Commission and the Flint River Basin Partnership addressed water conservation with soil moisture-sensing equipment and water metering hardware and software.
October’s Expo is one of the largest agricultural shows, with more than 1,200 exhibitors and many special events scheduled throughout the three days. One highlight is the naming of the Swisher Sweets Southeastern Farmer of the Year. The selection is from among the 10 Farm Bureau Farmers of the Year from the states of Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, North and South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas and Florida.
The Kentucky and Tennessee Farmers of the Year for 2014 are John Allan Mackey of Elizabethtown and John Keller from Maryville. This will be the 25th anniversary of the Swisher Sweets Southeastern Farmer of the Year Award.
Each year’s Expo has a "Spotlight" state. That state offers a group of exhibitors featuring governmental, educational and numerous private producers of agricultural products. The 2014 state is Georgia, and the "Georgia Grown" branding and a cross-section of the agricultural products produced in the state will be featured.
Georgia’s theme is "Always in Season, Georgia Ag!" Tennessee and Kentucky were last featured as the Spotlight states in 2006 and 2008, respectively.
In past years each state had to set up its own temporary display area. The 2013 Spotlight state, Alabama, set up a large event tent to house its many exhibits. Expo Field Day witnessed the groundbreaking for a new Spotlight State Building, which will see its first use this fall.
Field Day is always an intense exposure to new developments. It sets the stage for America’s Premier Farm Show, the Sunbelt Ag Expo, scheduled for Oct. 14-16. To learn more, call 229-985-1968 or visit http://sunbeltexpo.com
