By Weakley County Schools Communications Director Karen Campbell
Dresden, Tenn.–In May, partnering with the Weakley Farmers CO OP and the University of Tennessee at Martin, the first demonstration and research plot on the school’s property was planted.
This plot will highlight 12 hybrids of yellow corn donated from 3 different companies — Pioneer, Cropland and DeKalb in partnership with Weakley Farmers CO OP. The CO OP relationship also prompted the Syngenta donation of herbicide.
“Students will be able to check stand counts, pollination rates, yield, and moisture content of harvested grain and analyze and share this data with local growers,” said Lindsey Parham, Career and Technical Education Director who works with farm manager and ag teacher Jason Kemp to continue to enhance the offerings of the farm. “The plot was planted using the newest technology.”
Jason Brigance, Agronomy Products Manager with CO OP, who, with son Carson, completed the planting of the 14-acre plot, was impressed with the auto steer feature on the Case Maxxum 150 tractor used in the planting. He also explained that the plot planter, custom-built by I Precision Planting, allows for in furrow capabilities including simultaneous fertilizing and insecticide applications. It also features monitored seed-singulation, cab-controlled down pressure with a state-of-the-art furrow closing system.
Parham pointed out that the grain, once harvested, will go to feed the farm’s livestock thereby lowering the input costs on the livestock and increasing the profitability of the farm.
“We invite the farm community to watch this project come to life this summer,” she said of the land located on Highway 22, west of Dresden High School.