New concepts in crop production, corn hybrids for ethanol and new varieties for 2008 in the major crops will be demonstrated at the AgTechnology Field Day, at Agricenter International July 19, 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

The field day will showcase the latest technology in cotton, corn, soybeans and rice from 15 leading agricultural companies. Official variety trials will also be on display.

There are four tours with three to four stops on each. Stops will feature new varieties, rice herbicides, fungicides, adjuvants and equipment. Tours will run from 7 a.m. to noon, with lunch served noon to 1 p.m.

Among the stops:

Helena Chemical Co., is demonstrating the Helena Acre, a new production concept for growers which uses current products, agronomic research and crop monitoring to develop a total production system designed to maximize return on investment.

Three strips will demonstrate cotton grown under a typical production system, cotton under a comparable Helena Acre and corn grown under a Helena Acre production system.

Delta and Pine Land Co. will demonstrate two new cotton varieties, DP 141 B2RF and DP 161 B2RF, both in seed production for an introductory-supply launch in 2008. All major D&PL Bollgard II/Roundup Ready, Bollgard/Roundup Ready, Roundup Ready and Roundup Ready Flex varieties will be demonstrated in weed management plots.

New Group 3, 4 and 5 soybean varieties, plus new Roundup Ready/STS soybean varieties will also be on display at the D&PL tour stop.

Dow AgroSciences will feature a variety strip trial with six PhytoGen varieties which express WideStrike insect protection and Roundup Ready Flex traits. Also shown will be PhytoGen varieties in development which include root-knot nematode resistance and nectarless traits.

UAP Distribution will highlight Dyna-Gro corn, cotton and soybeans.

Corn traits include various combinations of RR2, corn borer, corn rootworm and YieldGard VT technology. Some of the select hybrids presented are also very good candidates for ethanol production.

Soybean traits include RR stacked with STS. The newest additions to the Dyna-Gro cotton line up include 2490 B2RF and 2383 RF, early to mid maturities well-adapted to the Mid-South region.

Loveland Products Inc. will demonstrate adjuvants, micronutrients and pest management options essential for maximum plant performance.

Stoneville will have a variety test to demonstrate current and future offerings. Included will be the popular ST 4554B2RF along with several new products focusing on high yield and fiber quality. Early-, medium- and full-maturity varieties containing Roundup Ready Flex stacked with Bollgard II will be available for observation.

Land O’Lakes, Inc., Seed Division will highlight three early-mid Croplan Genetics cotton varieties stacked with Bollgard II and Roundup Ready Flex, plus two new varieties slated for potential launch in 2008. Focus of these varieties is to provide growers the yield and fiber quality needed to market in the international and high-end domestic markets.

BASF plots include the effects of Headline fungicide for corn and soybeans and advice on maximizing production potential with timing, coverage and additives; Prowl H2O and Clarity in cotton; Status herbicide systems in corn; Clearfield rice with Newpath and Beyond.

The field day will include a speaker session on biofuels. Kenneth “Pete” Moss, president and managing partner of FBA Consulting, Memphis, has consulted on more than 70 biodiesel projects resulting in 290 million gallons of production capacity for the industry. Moss has a comprehensive understanding of the biofuels industry, including feedstock and product value analysis and byproduct streams.

Another energy speaker, Elizabeth Hood, associate vice chancellor for research and technology transfer, Arkansas State University, will discuss ethanol from cellulose.

For more information on the field day, contact John Bradley at [email protected] or (901) 757-7754.