Field day offers up-close look at local crops

Farmers and the public were given an opportunity Monday to tour corn and soybean fields at the Buchheit Tech Park.

Buchheit and Merschman Seeds hosted their annual field day at the site in Perry County, Missouri.

"It is open to the public, but we usually get farmers who are going to be purchasing the seed," said Katlyn Niederecker of Buchheit. "They weigh their options and look at the different varieties, and then they can judge from that and help make a decision for what they're going to plant next year."

Niederecker said turnout at the field day usually is strong.

"Definitely all the local guys and many of our producers will come and check out the plots and see what's going on research-wise and how the different varieties are actually performing in Biehle, Missouri, or something local, compared to when they look on the Merschman website," Niederecker said. "... This gives them something [to see] how the plants are growing right in their backyard."

A new product demonstrated at the field day is ILeVO, a fungicide seed treatment by Bayer used to help prevent sudden death syndrome and minimize damage from nematodes, or microscopic worms, according to information provided by Buchheit.

Sudden death syndrome, which affects soybeans, is a disease caused by the fungus Fusarium solani, Niederecker said in an email. The pathogens are transmitted into the plants via the soil.

The presence of "a lot of moisture during times of increased plant growth can increase the likelihood of sudden death," Niederecker wrote.

"We had a lot of rain this year. Luckily, despite the weather, we still had a great crop" of corn and soybeans, Niederecker said.

When ILeVO is working, it produces a "halo effect," according to information provided by Buchheit. The halo is seen on the edge of the first leaves or first pair of leaves developed by the embryo of a seed plant. The color along the edge ranges from light green to yellow and then brown, Niederecker wrote.

No signs of sudden death syndrome have been found in ILeVO-treated seed planted June 5.

A second opportunity to tour crops will be offered at 3:30 p.m. Thursday at the John Beardslee plot in Altenburg, Missouri, and 5 p.m. at the Aaron Hager plot in Frohna, Missouri. For more information, visit buchheitagri.com.

kwebster@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3646

Pertinent address:

33 PCR 540, Perryville, MO