2006 Programs and Operations

Major Research Area Thrusts and Trends and Project Growth

Research at the Bradford Research & Extension Center is multi-disciplinary and encompasses both applied and basic research. Currently Outreach and Extension Programs use greater than 60% of the land that is suitable for research plot work. These programs include weed science, soil fertility, forage and row crop production, plant protection, and wildlife. Funding of these programs is primarily through industry and commodity groups. The information gathered from this research is used in extension programs and clinics (here and elsewhere) and is published in both extension bulletins and in refereed scientific journals. MU and USDA scientist that do basic research use approximately 10% of the available plot area in areas of crop production, soil chemistry, and physiology. These programs are funded by Federal and State grants and private industry. Disciplines include plant physiology/biochemistry, weed science, entomology, plant pathology, agriculture engineering, and soil science. The results of these studies are published in peer reviewed scientific journals.

To help accommodate the growing demand for plot area BREC has leased 280 acres that was purchased by the Missouri Soybean Association. One hundred and eighty acres are across the road of our south border and the other 100 acres adjoins BREC on the north side. Several projects including Soybean Breeding, Entomology, Plant Pathology, Soil Fertility and Weed Science have put out plots on this land.

Plant Genetics and Breeding consisting of both MU and USDA scientists use approximately 30% of the total plot area. The program areas are in wheat, soybeans, and corn. Funding is through State and Federal programs and from commodity groups. Results from these studies produce new cultivars of soybeans and wheat and the release of germplasms that carry specific specialty traits such as seed quality, pathogen resistance or stalk strength. Most of this research is on rotation blocks that provide uniform drainage and adequate plot size to meet the experimental demands. An important resource at BREC is the ability to irrigate nearly every plot. This makes genetic and breeding research attractive to do at BREC since often the genetic material planted is irreplaceable.

The remainder of the available research plots is used by horticulture and native plant research and demonstration areas. Recently, there has been an increase in research in Wildlife and Conservation in marginal areas not traditionally used by researchers.

Areas of Project Growth

Research emphasis continues to change as agriculture has changed. For example, the Weed Science program has much focus on herbicide resistance and controlling invasive species rather than evaluating new herbicides. This is a result of how the industry has changed during the past 10 years. Also, as new pests such as Asian Rust or Soybean Aphids threaten to become problems and as a result there is more interdisciplinary research between Agronomists, Entomologists, and Plant Pathologists. The School of Natural Resources has also expressed more interest in combining agriculture, wildlife and conservation. These studies are long over due and we hope that BREC can be a leader in the state and the nation.

During the past few years there has been an increase in the number of trials that use transgenic plants and organisms that have been modified through biotechnology. Much of the work that is currently performed on campus is in the lab and greenhouse is beginning to be moved to the field for evaluation under non artificial environmental conditions. Since BREC is close to campus and has irrigation available it is attractive for the study of transgenic plants. Although the use of genetically altered plants and organisms will not require a great deal of plot area there are several factors to consider such as: drainage into and out of (especially with micro-organisms), isolation, and security. Currently MU and USDA-ARS faculty have been cooperating with one another in planting and caring for these transgenics.

Because of land acquisitions in 2004 of 90 acres and then in 2006 of an additional 190 acres land for plots has not been a serious issue. In fact, the additional land has opened up some new opportunities for large scale projects. These larger blocks of land could someday be used for an isolated area Transgenic research or used for large scale Precision Ag.

Outreach and Extension Programs-Continuing

Each year since 1994 BREC has hosted the annual Crop Injury and Diagnostic Clinic (CIDC). This clinic is held during the last full week of July and consists of two two-day clinics. Typically each clinic attracts 70-80 participants from industry and University where they can earn CEU credits. However in 2006, attendance was down possibly to the shrinkage of those working in the Ag Industry. Each clinic has 10 or more sessions that are taught primarily by Outreach and Extension personnel. However, the clinic has featured researchers in their field of expertise including Biotechnology and faculty from other universities where MU may lack expertise. Information gathered by participants at the CIDC is passed on to their clients, which may number in the hundreds or even thousands. We feel that this is the best method of getting information gathered at this location and others out to where it is needed.

BREC is also the host of several tours and workshops that are put on by Outreach and Extension personnel. Each July, the Weed Science Program hosts an annual Weed/IPM Field Day that is attended by 75-100 Industry Reps and Outreach and Extension Regional Specialist. Attendance at this field day had dropped from levels of 10 years ago but has picked up the last two years. At the Weed/IPM Field Day Weed Scientists, Entomologist, and Plant Pathologists and their graduate students share their research results in a formal tour in the morning and then are invited back to the plots for extended information. At BREC a permanent waste water demonstration is setup under the direction of Dr. Randy Miles from Natural Resources. Both he and personnel from the Department of Health teach installer and inspector classes to people from all across the state.

BREC also has several educational plots such as the weed garden, Native Plant Garden, Rose Garden, and Gene Zoo which are used for teaching at various workshops and clinics. In order to expand our audience BREC hosted several new field days including the Native Plant Field Day, Tomato Festival, and Neighbor Field Day the past few years. In 2006, BREC hosted the first ever "Integrating Bobwhite Quail Management in a Modern Agriculture Setting" Field Day that drew many from throughout the state. It is hoped that these non traditional field days expand our traditional audience.

Projected

Traditionally, most of our Outreach and Extension at BREC was focused on grain and forage crops. However, during the past few years we have expanded the information available to the private homeowner with our specialized field days and clinics. In 2006, BREC was able get an agreement in place with the Missouri Department of Conservation to help fund many of our activities and also applied for and received a grant with the NRCS for work with conservation practices. BREC has also applied for a Federal White Paper to establish a Native Plant Center at BREC. These efforts are needed to bring Agriculture and Conservation together.

With the higher fuel costs there is a major push across the nation for renewable energy and Bradford is poised to be the center for education and research. Hopefully, Bradford will be able to implement some alternative energy strategies including wind, solar, and biomass that can be used for education. Also, BREC's proximately to campus should be an advantage to combining an interdisciplinary approach to the renewable fuels.

BREC continues to work with the Master Gardener program to grow demonstration areas for a variety of perennials for evaluation in mid Missouri conditions. In 2006, BREC hosted the first ever Rose Workshop and more of these activities are planned for 2007. For the past several years BREC has teamed with the Thomas Jefferson Institute to have a demonstration garden of alternative crops. With their new farm being built a few miles down the road there will be an opportunity to partner in many more projects.