July 31, 2006 -- The 12th Annual Judd Hill Cotton Technology Field Day will be held Thursday, Aug. 31, at the Judd Hill Plantation on Arkansas Highway 214, five miles south of Trumann.

Field day activities will feature cotton demonstration plots showcasing the latest biotechnology and many improved cotton varieties. On-site displays of the latest farm equipment and emerging precision technology will also be available.

Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. Field tours will begin at 8:30 a.m. and continue until 12:10 p.m. Some field tour stops will include variety trials, a variable rate center pivot, drainage run-off, irrigation termination, and plant bug thresholds.

"One thing that separates the Judd Hill Field Day from other field days is that our event is completely industry driven," Matt Moon, Judd Hill Field Day Committee Chairman said. "Our sponsors fully fund this event and compare their products side by side. We also treat our research plots the same way we treat regular cotton. Our trials are farmed by real farmers using today’s methods."

Free diagnostic health screenings will also be available in the Judd Hill Office.

A complimentary lunch will be served after noon and will feature keynote speaker U.S. Rep. Marion Berry.

Berry was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1996. He serves on the House Appropriations Committee.

The Judd Hill Foundation was established upon the death of plantation owners Sam and Esther Chapin for the purpose of encouraging research and development of progressive farming techniques. Each year, hundreds of farmers visit the plantation to view the development of the latest cotton varieties and to learn more about new techniques in irrigation, equipment, fertilization and weed and pest control.

Arkansas State University has had a long-term relationship with the Judd Hill Foundation to promote mutual research interests.  In 1994 and in 2004, respectively, the Foundation established two academic chairs at ASU, the Judd Hill Chair in Environmental Biology and the Judd Hill Chair in Agricultural Biotechnology.