Georgia farmers can learn about agricultural research while interacting with University of Georgia scientists during the annual Sunbelt Field Day in Moultrie, Georgia, on Thursday, July 25.<\/p>\n
From 8:30 a.m. to noon, UGA agriculture specialists and other industry leaders will present their findings from various crop research projects conducted on the 600-acre farm.<\/p>\n
Among the UGA experts whose research will be highlighted is UGA Cooperative Extension soils and hydrology specialist Glen Harris. He\u2019s researched cotton and peanuts at Sunbelt for more than 20 years and believes the research done here is vital to the Georgia farming community.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy research experience at the Sunbelt Ag Expo goes back to the days of Darrell Williams, who the research farm is named after,\u201d Harris said. \u201cIt\u2019s a place to be able to show the cutting-edge research that the University of Georgia is known for.\u201d<\/p>\n
Harris\u2019 research this year focuses on soil nutrient needs on cotton, specifically how fertilizer impacts cotton\u2019s growth. Sulfur-based fertilizer, foliar potassium and side-dress nitrogen fertilizer are part of his research, which is replicated every year.<\/p>\n
Cotton, peanut, weed, vegetable and forage researchers will speak to field day attendees about the statewide impact of their research. Along with Harris, other UGA scientists presenting this year include Lisa Baxter, UGA Extension forage agronomist; Stanley Culpepper, UGA Extension weed specialist; Dennis Hancock, UGA Extension forage specialist; Jeremy Kichler, Colquitt County Extension coordinator; Monique Leclerc, Regent\u2019s Professor on the UGA Griffin campus; Scott Monfort, UGA Extension peanut specialist; and Jared Whitaker, UGA Extension cotton specialist.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe research partnership that we have with the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences researchers gives us a healthy blend of university and corporate research plots on our Darrell Williams Research Farm at the Sunbelt Ag Expo. Working with the UGA researchers, we are able to stay on the cutting edge of the latest agronomic research as it pertains to seed and forage varieties, crop protection, irrigation and water management, soil fertility, and precision agriculture,\u201d said Chip Blalock, executive director of the Sunbelt Ag Expo.<\/p>\n