Jackson Chamber of Commerce hosts annual agribusiness tour

More than 90 people took part in Wednesday's Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce 42nd annual Agribusiness Tour, said to be one of the longest-running agriculture-focused outings in the history of the state.

On a blisteringly hot day, participants visited four sites in Cape Girardeau and Perry counties.

Among those who boarded two Jackson School District buses was state Sen. Holly Thompson Rehder of Scott City. An organizer said it was the first time a sitting state senator had joined the yearly excursion.

Cheryl Ellis, executive assistant of the Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce, pets a cannulated cow Wednesday at Southeast Missouri State University's David M. Barton Agricultural Research Center in Gordonville. A cannulated cow has been fitted with a cannula, a porthole-like device allowing access to the digestive system for research.Jeff Long

Stops

• Reed's Metals, Scott City — The production facility at Reed's plant was toured and general manager Nick Reynolds discussed the high-quality 29-gauge and 26-gauge steel used. Sales representative Russel Friga walked groups through a pole barn.
• David M. Barton Agricultural Research Center, Gordonville — At the 252-acre farm, purchased by Southeast Missouri State University in 2008, groups viewed a cannulated cow and saw irrigated corn and soybean fields.

"In 2012, in this region, we had a big drought year but, due to our irrigation efforts, we were able to take 208 bushels out of our 100-acre field," said Michael Aide, professor in SEMO's Agriculture Department.

• American Tractor Museum, Perryville — Tour participants saw 64 farm tractors in the facility, 20 of them more than a century old.
• Apple Creek Vineyard & Winery, Friedheim — Purchased by Doug and Pat Hunt in 1997, the Hunts and their extended family began planting grapes on 25 acres in 2006 and opened the winery in 2012. Doug Hunt said the business maintains more than 2,000 vines.

Lunch was served to all by SEMO Cattlemen's Association.

Shellie Gamel of Apple Creek Vineyard & Winery in Friedheim shows a handful of catawba grapes grown on the family-owned farm during Wednesday's Agribusiness Tour sponsored by the Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce.Jeff Long