Miami FFA News:

Miami FFA and the community have recently completed the successful corn harvest of the Miami FFA research farm located at the school. The Miami agriculture students have learned and participated in collecting soil sample’s and sent them off for analysis by Missouri University Extension. They also gathered information from the analysis for fertilizer recommendation to use on the corn crop and learned how to determine the amounts needed for application. The students also received input from the Beck seed agronomist on how to utilize fertilizer to optimize the production for the 2018 corn crop. Students utilized the USDA Soil Survey website to map the acreage and analyze the soil types on the farm. They had some plot hybrids average over 190 bushel/acre, with the whole field averaging 150 bushel/acre.. With the cooperation of many surrounding community businesses, the project was a complete success. Tidman Land & Cattle supplied the equipment and labor for fertilizer, tilling, seeding, and harvest. 

Nieder Seed Sales and Beck Seed provided the seed for all test plots and test equipment, as well as their expertise of harvest information. Heiman Agri-Services sponsored the fertilizer and McCulley Farms sponsored the chemical spray and application. Miami FFA would also like to thank Addleman Farms for their support on trucking and marketing of the grain. 

The students not only gained hands-on experience in production of row crop farming, they also used the financial information to keep records on all of the input costs and receipts, so they could better understand corn production as a business in Bates County. Miami FFA will utilize any profits from the 7.5 acres to expand the opportunities of its students with career and leadership experiences through the 2018-2019 calendar year. 

Currently, Miami FFA will have 5 students travel to Indianapolis, Indiana to National Convention October 24 thru the 27th. Miami FFA thanks Heritage Tractor for their support in the project and all community members for their support of the FFA. - Brody Julien , Miami FFA Reporter