Farm Donor Honored in Novelty

Story by: Guest Contributor

First posted on 08-08-2007

NOVELTY, Mo. - “None of this would be possible without the generosity of Miss Greenley.” That thought was repeated by speakers at the 30th field day at Greenley Memorial Research Center in Knox County, Aug. 2.

First was lunch master of ceremonies Harold Beach, Leonard, Mo., chair of the 37-member advisory board, as he introduced legislators, officials and farm leaders.

Miss Hortense Greenley of Edina, Mo., received a framed resolution passed by the Missouri House of Representatives, from Rep. Brian Munzlinger, Williamstown, Mo. Miss Greenley donated the 700-acre farm to the University of Missouri in honor of her parents, Grace and Lee Greenley, Jr.

Randall Smoot, superintendent, estimated more than 300 visitors took part in tours of research plots that morning. Greenley Center is one of 25 centers and farms across the state that constitute the MU Agricultural Experiment Station.

Visitors could attend 12 stops on three wagon tours.

At the first stop on the pest management tour, Reid Smeda, MU weed scientist, Columbia, Mo., explained good herbicide management for weed control.

Misuse can lead to weeds resistant to herbicides, he said.

“Before Roundup Ready soybeans and glyphosate herbicides were introduced in 1996, ALS herbicides accounted for 97 percent of the chemical weed control,” Smeda said. “Glyphosate is the most widely used weed control on soybeans. Now ALS accounts for only 3 percent of use.

“Glyphosate resistance is nearer than you think. Giant ragweed not killed by glyphosate has been identified in a field near Clarence, Mo.”

In all, 13 herbicide-resistant weeds have been found worldwide. “Unfortunately, five of those are in Missouri,” Smeda said.

Smeda urged use of recommended rates of glyphosate. Weeds that almost die, but survive, develop herbicide-resistant offspring. Other herbicides should be used in the crop rotation to reduce the selection pressure, he said.

Equipment, especially combines, should be cleaned before moving to the next field to prevent spread of resistant weed seeds. “We gathered three cups of ragweed seed from atop the axle on our combine,” Smeda said.

“If you suspect you have herbicide-resistant weeds, give me a call,” he said.

For beef producers, drought, short pastures and reduced hay supplies were top concerns. Zac Erwin, a first-time field day presenter, told of alternative forage sources.

The MU Extension livestock specialist from Monticello, Mo., said turnips planted now could supply emergency grazing. Turnips could yield 6,000 pounds of feed per acre by Dec. 1. Tops and bulbs are eaten by cows.

Turnips can cause bloat and should be planted with rye or other annual cereal to dilute the risk, Erwin said. The crop can be planted on land where wheat or corn silage was harvested, or they could be drilled into a “sacrificial” pasture.

Ways to cut feed costs were stressed by Erwin. “Beef cattle costs have increased $5 per year for the last seven years.”

For example, the average price for hay now tops $107 per ton. “Feeding hay is our most expensive practice,” Erwin said. “Keep the herd grazing as long as possible.”

On another tour, G.W. Dimmitt Jr., CEO of Premium Ag Products, and Scott Shively, chairman of the value-added cooperative in Shelbyville, Mo., told of alternative uses for soybeans. They market high-protein, identity-preserved soybeans to food markets. Consumer products include tofu and soy milk.

Demand is so strong that the 70 farmer-owners of the cooperative seek non-genetically-modified soybeans from farmers outside of their membership. “We can’t meet the demand,” Dimmitt said. The group is renovating the former MFA grain facility in Clarence.

Chris Zumbrunnen, MU Extension livestock specialist in Milan, Mo., said baled hay had nutrients useful as fertilizer. Unrolling baled hay should be compared to spreading fertilizer or manure. The fertilizer value of hay can top $20 a ton.

Rising costs of nitrogen fertilizer has the attention of MU researchers. Ray Massey, economist with the MU Commercial Agriculture program, noted the price of natural gas, the source of anhydrous ammonia, had tripled to $6 per thousand cubic feet since 1998. “I see nothing to indicate that price will come down.”

Massey said timely purchase might cut costs of nitrogen. Comparing prices, he found fertilizer cheaper in August and September than in April and May in seven out of nine years.

“Keep track of nitrogen prices throughout the year, not just in the traditional buying times of winter and spring,” Massey said.

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