Seed Company Donates Combines for UA Field Research

The donation of two research plot combines by Indiana-based Stewart Seeds, Inc., to the University of Arkansas System's Division of Agriculture will help preserve valuable research data in eastern Arkansas, said Fred Bourland, director of field research units at Keiser and Marianna.

The Northeast Research and Extension Center at Keiser and Lon Mann Cotton Research Station at Marianna each harvests about 20,000 research plots per year of soybeans, corn, rice, wheat and grain sorghum, Bourland said. Harvesting with small plot combines is a slow process because the grain must be carefully processed to record research data, he said.

Stewart Seeds had two plot combines for sale, and after a conversation with Bourland, they offered to donate the combines. New combines of a similar design would cost over $250,000 each. "These are used, but they are in excellent condition," Bourland said.

The combines were donated in memory of Gilman C. Stewart and in honor of John A. Stewart, the two sons of Arthur Stewart, who started producing and selling seed corn in 1918 in Greensburg, Ind.

To read the full release, please go to http://arkansasagnews.uark.edu/2137.htm