MOULTRIE — The 2024 Sunbelt Ag Expo Field Research Days are scheduled to kick off July 10 and run until July 24. Farmers are invited to visit at their convenience during this two-week period to learn practical information about the newest technologies that they can use to improve their operations.
Field Day is a self-guided driving tour of the Darrell Williams Research Farm located at the Expo show site at Spence Field in Moultrie. Visitors should arrive thru Gate 2 anytime between 8 a.m. and dark for the tour, the Expo said in a press release. Directional signs will lead visitors to the tour path.
At the first stop, farmers will have the opportunity to pick up a map as well as information about each plot. Additionally, pre-recorded segments featuring university researchers and company vendors will be available for viewing while driving through the fields or at a later time on Sunbelt’s YouTube channel. This new format will allow visitors to tour grounds at their convenience all at once or multiple times if they so choose, the farm show’s press release said.
“We are grateful to continue working with university and corporate researchers on the Darrell Williams Research Farm, where we conduct cotton, peanut, corn, and forage research. The ultimate goal in all of the research is to improve the farmer’s bottom line and to do it using the most environmentally and technologically sound practices,” said Chip Blalock, Sunbelt Ag Expo executive director.
“Every year, our mission is to provide a place where research can be done to benefit all row crop and forage farmers. We enjoy working with the researchers and helping them disseminate the information to the farmers,” said Cody Mitchell, Sunbelt Ag Expo Farm Manager.
“Our team works all year to have the best-looking farm around. We want the Expo farm to showcase what a farm should look like,” Mitchell said. “We look forward to welcoming farmers to look at the crops in July and invite everyone to come back in October for the Expo.”
There are a few tips visitors should keep in mind to enjoy a successful tour:
— Bring a friend to experience the event with you — come during the day or late afternoon at your convenience.
— Be sure to have a smartphone or tablet with you to view the research videos during the tour. Videos will be accessible using the Official Sunbelt Ag web site or YouTube channel. Connect your device to your vehicle Bluetooth before you arrive so that it is ready to go.
— Don’t forget to follow the signs to the beginning of the tour from Gate 2 and continue to follow the directional signs throughout the tour.
— Pick up a copy of the plot map as well as information about the research.
UGA researchers, Extension specialists, and ag chemical representatives conduct numerous trials at the Sunbelt farm for all major southern agronomic crops, the Expo said. To view more specific Field Research Days details, visit www.sunbeltexpo.com.