`FIRST FRIDAY' ATTENDEES HEAR OF AG EVENT

Details about the upcoming New Trends in Agriculture on July 17-18 at the Show Me Center was the main topic at a Chamber of Commerce First Friday Coffee meeting.

Gerald Bryan, an agronomy specialist, said that the two-day show is the largest agricultural-oriented show between St. Louis and Memphis.

Bryan said, "A lot of us don't realize the importance of agriculture to the area. Farmers are a vital resource to the area and they recognize the importance of this show."

Bryan said that 14 Southeast Missouri and eight southwestern Illinois counties have approximately $1 billion in crop and livestock production annually. Cape Girardeau County alone, he said, has $600 million in crop and livestock production annually.

According to Missouri Department of Agriculture statistics, the state accounts for 6 percent of the total U.S. production. Missouri also ranks fourth in winter-wheat production, sixth in rice, ninth in corn and 10th in cotton.

The Southeast Missouri area, said Bryan, contributes a lot to those numbers. He said that 100 percent of Missouri's cotton and rice is produced in Southeast Missouri. Soybean and Corn production accounts for 25 percent of the state's total.

Over 70 exhibitors will be on hand to feature the latest in equipment, seed, storage and a host of other farm-related supplies.

On July 17, a total of four seminars will be held separately on dairy, beef and swine. A total of four seminars in crops will be held on July 18.

Roger Eakins, a livestock specialist, said that expert speakers from Iowa, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Montana, Illinois, Missouri and Washington, D.C., will be in attendance.

"A lot more of our seminars this year are geared toward profitability and how to make smart financial decisions," said Eakins.

Eakins said that surveys are sent out to area farmers, and they hand-pick what kind of seminars they would be interested in attending.

Luncheons will be given on both days and keynote speakers are scheduled.

The Wednesday luncheon speaker will be Assistant U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Bruce Gardner. He will speak on current agriculture policy.

The Thursday luncheon speaker will be Thomas Hoogheem. He is manager of environmental issues for Monsanto Agricultural Co., in St. Louis. Hoogheem will talk about several key issues affecting the use of agricultural pesticide.

Eakins also talked about comprehensive health screenings that will be given on both days.

"I really don't agree with everything said in the press about cholesterol and other health matters," said Eakins. "There is a lot of misconception out there, and hopefully these health screenings can help to clear some of them up."

Tests will be given on blood glucose, blood cholesterol, glaucoma, and weight and blood pressure. Colorectal cancer test packets will be given as well as lifestyle risk assessments.

Youth programs are also scheduled. Livestock judging, hunter safety and a farm first-aid safety demonstration will be given.

Eakins said the event will draw more people than it did last year. "I think we have better coverage and more sponsors than we did last year," said Eakins.

Sponsors are: Boatman's Bank, Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce, Capital Bank Consolidated Grain, Barge Exchange Bank, Kasten Masonry Sales, KBSI Fox 23, KFVS-12, Merck and Company, Mid-America Farmer Grower, 960 KZIM, and SmithKline Beecham Animal Health.

The New Trends in Agriculture Show is free and runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days.

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