2007 Improvements in 2007:

In this Report

Public Relations, Visibility, and Education

90 Training Workshops, Tours or Clinics were held on 112 days in 2007 with over 4000 in attendance. Many of the participants are consultants or crop advisors and the information gathered at BREC is passed on to many more people. We estimate that several thousand producers across Missouri and the mid-west are affected by the research and information presented here. These numbers also include students who are seeing Agriculture up close for the first time.
Produce sales from research and field days were sold to Campus Dining to fund future undergraduate research projects in 2008.
BREC hosted a Rose Workshop in conjunction with the Master Gardener’s program
BREC hosted the first Pruning Workshop in conjunction with the Horticulture Department.
An Aquaculture project was started as a demonstration with fish cages in cooperation with Lincoln University and MU Fisheries.
Developed a new brochure highlighting research, education, and outreach and extension at BREC.
BREC planted sweet corn representing the four different genetic types of sweet corn and three colors of each for a sweet corn tasting held in August.
Bradford hosted the Science Academy Tour and the Minority in Science Tour.
In cooperation with Corn Genetics Susan Melia-Hancock planted a Corn Chromosome Maize that was shared by many groups.
BREC hosted both the 4th grade and 8th grade classes from Hallsville.
BREC hosted the Blue Ridge Elementary kids for a special incentive trip field day with nearly 500 students attending.
BREC developed a relationship with the Fulton School for the Deaf in Fulton hosting four tours and cooperating with a NASA grant.
The staff of BREC hosted the FFA Field Crops judging contest putting on a regional clinic in Southwest Missouri in March, the district contest in Columbia and Rolla in April, and the state contest in Columbia in late April.
BREC hosted the 6th Annual FFA Field Day with 1400 students participating from 40 schools. Lunch was provided by funds that had been left over from Mrs. June Baker in memory of her husband, Dan Baker.
BREC provided space, fertilizer, and irrigation for the Agronomy Club to grow sunflowers for a fund raiser.
BREC planted a pumpkin patch where over 2000 pumpkins were given away to numerous day cares, schools, and other youth groups in the Columbia, Hallsville, Sturgeon, North Callaway, and Boonville school districts.
For the fifth year BREC made a corn maze for the use of FFA, 4-H and church groups with nearly 2000 people using it.
A display was made for use at the MNRC Conference telling about what is happening at BREC and what our future goals are with Wildlife and Native plants.
A presentation was given at the ASA-CSSA-SSSA meetings in New Orleans in November titled “Quail On An Agronomy Farm”.· A presentation was given at the ASA-CSSA-SSSA meetings in New Orleans in November titled “Quail On An Agronomy Farm”.
A Biofuels Garden was developed by Dr. Bill Wiebold.
Biofuel plots were established for future research.
A Wind Anemometer was installed by DNR to measure wind energy in 2008.

Staff Development and Coordination

As in the previous year the conference office was not used for the organization and registration of the annual Crop Injury and Diagnostic Clinic and the Weed Science/IPM Field Day. This was a major time commitment from the Senior Secretary Thresa Chism that generated an additional $8,000 in funds.
A part time Horticulturist continues to be employed to design, plant, and maintain Native Plant Beds as well as the many other horticultural types for demonstrations and field days.
A 0.75 FTE Research Specialist was hired to work with the Quail Project and other Conservation issues.

Compliance and Safety Measures

BREC continued to enforce the Worker Safety Program and continually train those working with pesticides on their proper use and disposal
The oil delivery system was completely redone in the shop in order to reduce the incidence of spillage.

Land and Plot Development

Surface drainage was improved on several plots to reduce plot variability
Several acres of wildlife friendly plants were planted
A wooded draw was thinned out to demonstrate edge feathering
Preservation work on native Prairie and Wetland Remnants was continued
Drainage was improved on the new 90 acres by straightening out an existing waterway
Gravel was added to the main drive
Structure was added to the West Lake to provide areas for fish
A dock was built on the West Lake for the Aquaculture project
Water lines were added to expand the capacity to water horticulture crops

Equipment Management

A used truck was acquired from Sanborn Field
Two used trailers were acquired from Sanborn Field
A plasma cutter was purchased for the shop
A new sprayer equipped with a 200 gallon sprayer was built by Barry Barnes.

Facility Development

Remodeling was completed on the West Building including installing heating and air conditioning
A new outside wood furnace was installed that can burn full sized pallets saving $10,000 in propane
Plastic was replaced on five of the hoop houses for research purposes
The 5,000 and 3500 bushel grain bins were upgraded

Faculty Relations/Teaching:

The facilities were used by Ag Engineering, Soils, Soil Physics, Soil Conservation, Plant Science 10, and Weed Science.
Relationship was developed with the Aquaculture project with Lincoln University and the MU Fisheries Department

Funding:

A $5,000 grant was secured by the Wurdack Endowment to expand research at Bradford to that facility
An agreement with MDC for Native Plant and Wildlife funding was continued - $150,000 over three years
A USDA-NRCS grant was funded - $242,000 over three years
BREC continued to work with industry to receive donated seed and pesticides for use by the research personnel
Produce was sold to Campus Dining to fund projects in 2008

Cooperation With Other AES Centers

Loaned our 40’ x 40’ tent to South Farm (Turf Day), South Farm (Beef Day), and HARC (Chestnut Roast), at no charge
Loaned Cub Mower Tractor to Sanborn Field for use all year
Ran tours and loaned tour wagons at Greenley Center Field Day
Benton took photographs and BREC paid for the developing of the photographs for Field Day at the Delta Center
Used contacts with industry to provide 30 gallons of Roundup and other herbicides to Southwest Center and FSRC
Put on Area Agronomy FFA workshop at Southwest Center and provided material for NE area workshop in conjunction with Greenley Center
Helped Hundley-Whaley begin study with Native Plants
Helped researchers with plots at Rollins Bottoms and MESA

Challenges and Goals for 2007

Public Relations, Visibility, and Education

Due to the passing of June Baker a new source of funding for the FFA Field Day lunch time meal must be found
Work with Columbia Public Schools to develop land purchased by the school system for educational activities
Continue to expand the Tomato Festival, Native Plant Field Day, and other specialized Field days
Create an International Day growing food crops at Bradford from around the world
Come up with a plan for a Renewable Energy Educational Facility
Start an Aquaculture project to be a pilot for research as well as demonstrations at field days
Continue to invite special groups out for tours such as the Lenore Retirement Home
Continue to reach out to more non-traditional clients such as landowners, and homeowners through landscaping, wildlife, and conservation
Develop a self guided tour of Bradford’s wildlife and native demonstrations
Develop new Brochures-Wildlife Management at BREC
Host a Neighbor Day in 2008
Host a Fish Fry open to interested persons highlighting fish cage research
Begin a freshwater Prawn demonstration project

Faculty Relations:

Work with the Corn and Soybean Genetic Faculty to devise a plan for a mutually beneficial genetics building at BREC
Work with an interdisciplinary group to look at Renewable Energy and include Water Quality
Work with the Sustainable Ag group to develop research and internships
Develop Internships and undergraduate research projects in Horticulture

Staff Development and Coordination

Have a Safety and Procedures Meeting for all Staff who work at BREC throughout the year

Compliance and Safety Measures

Recertification of all BREC staff in hazardous material standards
Continue to keep users of BREC up to date with Worker Protection Standards

Land and Plot Development

Continue to develop and improve drainage of plot areas on MSA land
Develop plan for fish management in all lakes
Continue to develop areas of BREC and the MSA land not currently being used for research into demonstration areas for wildlife habitat
Work with the MU Fisheries Faculty to establish fish ponds for research

Equipment Management

Continue to keep equipment in good working order
Purchase a new 15 ft bat wing mower
Develop a system to dump dry corn directly into the bin
Replace plot corn combine
Purchase used 100+ horsepower tractor

Facility Development

Secure funding for a Conference Building
Secure funding for a Maize/Soybean building
Finish cooling upgrade in the Main Building·
Secure funding for a new storage shed
Secure funding for a new shop
Put new plastic on the remaining hoop houses
Put a green roof on the main building

Funding

Secure funding for High Yield Soybean Study
Apply for funding for a Renewable Energy Program that would include demonstrations in Wind, Solar, Biomass, and Ethanol Production
Secure funding for Higher Education Grant-Sustainable Agriculture
Secure funding for “Biomass Log Fuel for Heating Farm Buildings” with Henry Lui of Pipeline Freight

Long Term Goals and Concerns

Corn Genetics Headquarters
Handicap Accessible Conference Building
New Shop that is not connected to Main Buildingsv
Additional Machine Storage
Additional Lab Space
Equipment Upgrades
Urban Infringement