ANNUAL AG EVENT HERE IS CANCELED

A New Trends in Agriculture extravaganza that was established in Cape Girardeau in 1988 has disbanded.

The annual event, which had already been scheduled at the Show Me Center for July 14-15, was canceled recently when three of the sponsors announced their withdrawal from the event.

The show was a cooperative effort of the New Trends Agronomy Committee, Missouri University Extension, SEMO Cattlemen's Association, Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce, Southeast Missouri State University, University of Illinois Extension, and Cape County Pork Producers.

"The former three groups announced recently they were withdrawing from the program," said Jim Crain, chairman of the chamber's Agriculture Committee. "So we have discontinued the program and will return to our former Agriculture Appreciation Day and Banquet, sponsored by the chamber and its Agri-Business Committee."

The two-day New Trends in Agriculture event was founded almost four years ago as a result of three successful one-day programs: New Trends in Crop Production, sponsored by the Missouri Extension Service and the Agronomy Committee; SEMO Cattlemen's Conference, sponsored by the SEMO Cattlemen's Association and Extension; and the annual Agriculture Appreciation Day and Banquet, sponsored by the chamber and its Agri-Business Committee.

In a letter to Taylor Bahn, chairman of the chamber's New Trends in Agriculture Committee, the groups explained their withdrawal from the event.

The letter said: "After much consideration of the total time and expense involved in New Trends in Agriculture, its effect on other programs and sponsorships, University Extension, New Trends Agronomy Committee and SEMO Cattlemen's Association are withdrawing from the program. These organizations choose to continue these events at other dates.

"The combined venture has been good, but it is felt the educational effort can be best directed in other programs. We wish to thank the Cape Girardeau chamber for it cooperation during the past three events, and we will be happy to cooperate in other chamber activities."

The letter was signed by Roger Eakins, livestock specialist with University Extension; Gerald Bryan, agronomy specialist; John Lorberg, chairman of the New Trends Agronomy Committee; and Don Mueller, president of the SEMO Cattlemen's Association.

"We will continue our New Trends in Crop Production," said Eakins Tuesday. "We'll go to a February date. We're also planning other events, including a beef 4-H Conference with the SEMO Cattlemen."

"We're looking at a number of farm-orientated ideas," said Crain, during an agriculture sub-committee meeting Tuesday. "We have a full Chamber Ag Committee meeting later this month, April 20, and we'll discuss some ideas then.

"But we are definitely looking at reviving Agriculture Appreciation Day and Banquet," said Crain. "We don't have a date yet, but we will award our `Friend of Agriculture" Award at that time."