Corn Test Plot In Sequoyah County Contributes To International Research

A Sequoyah County farmer is taking part in global research to develop drought resistant corn as worldwide temperatures continue to rise.

Muldrow's Ed Nugent has a 15-acre test plot he rents to WinField Solutions, a subsidiary of Land O'Lakes cooperative. It is one of more than 200 test plots around the world collecting information for the agricultural company.

"The old days you just took a corn hybrid and you threw it out on the field," said Audie Wolf, Senior Crop Adviser for WinField Solutions, "That's not how we do it anymore."

Wolf told KFSM TV, the CBS affiliate in Fort Smith, experts now use satellite imagery to map their fields to help them determine where to plant their crops. He said this makes for more successful placement.

At Muldrow, researchers are testing corn hybrids for factors like resistance to root worm and drought tolerance. "For these days that we don't have very much rain like we've been having, it's going to help us tolerate that heat a little better," said Audie Wolf.

Wolf said the test plot helps growers find the best product to meet the demands of the world's growing population.

WinField Solutions will host a "field day" Tuesday, July 23 for growers interested in learning more about the research taking place on the test plot. The event will begin at 6 p.m.