POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Neil Rutger, chief scientist at the USDA Dale Bumpers National Rice Research Center in Stuttgart, Ark., will discuss new efforts to improve sheath blight resistance and milling quality in rice at the 15th annual Missouri Rice Research Farm Field Day, Aug. 24.
Rutger also will explain the promise for variety improvement using germplasm from indica rice instead of japonica rice that is presently used in most U.S. rice varieties, said Bruce Beck, University of Missouri Extension agronomist in Butler County and field day organizer.
Events begin at 8 a.m. with registration and commercial exhibits at the Missouri Rice Research and Demonstration Farm, which is near Glennonville in Dunklin County on Route J, about 8 miles west of Malden, Mo. Traditional wagon tours of research plots begin at 8:30 a.m. on the south side of the road.
This year's presenters will cover a wide range of topics. Rutger will be joined on the Green Wagon tour by Donn Beighley, rice breeder at Southeast Missouri State University, who will give an update on rice variety performance trials; and Robert Bird with the USDA Animal Damage Control program, who will talk about controlling birds in rice fields.
The Blue Wagon tour features MU weed scientist Andy Kendig, who will focus on the fundamentals of rice weed control; and Brian Ottis, MU rice agronomist, who will discuss reduced seeding rates and other innovation production practices.
The Red Wagon tour will include presentations by John Kruse of the MU Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute, who will address the market outlook and farm policy as it relates to rice production; MU plant pathologist Allen Wrather, who will discuss about the current status of soybean rust; and Gary Murphy, president of the Missouri Rice Research and Merchandising Council, who will talk about the council's most recent activities.
The event's final tour is the Yellow Wagon tour. MU agronomist Gene Stevens will discuss the success of differing nitrogen application practices; SEMO soil scientist Michael Aide will highlight the use of a digital camera to assess nitrogen needs of rice; and MU soil scientist David Dunn will address correcting phosphorus deficiency.
Industry representatives also will be on hand to demonstrate new equipment and machinery.
Field day sponsors include MU Extension and the Missouri Rice Research and Merchandising Council. About 20 commercial sponsors will provide a free lunch at noon. For more information, contact Beck at (573) 686-8064 or BeckB@missouri.edu.