The annual meeting of the Blackland Farm Managers Association will be held 9 AM to noon February 23 in the Vernon James Research & Extension Center, 207 Research Station Road, Plymouth.

The program will feature Kevin Matthews, winner of the 2017 NC Soybean Yield Contest.

The North Carolina soybean industry for years has set a goal of having farmers achieve a yield of 100 bushels per acre. Matthews Family Farms in Yadkin County won the 2017 North Carolina Soybean Yield Contest with a yield of 107.4 bushels per acre. For the winning entry, Kevin Matthews and his family planted Pioneer P46A93X at rate of 140,000 seeds per acre on 20-inch rows under sub-surface drip irrigation. Planting date was May 17.

“Come hear his keys to success,” said Andrea Gibbs, Hyde County Ag Agent.

Also featured at the annual meeting will be Dr. Ron Heiniger,  Professor of Crop Science and Cropping Systems Specialist.

Dr. Heiniger recieved a Ph.D. in Crop Ecology and Simulation Modeling from Kansas State University in 1994. He has received the Gerald O. Mott Meritorious Research Award from the Crop Science Society of America for modeling grain fill in sorghum.

Dr. Heiniger’s applied research programs in the areas of precision agriculture and remote sensing at North Carolina State University have received national recognition. In addition to his research work, Dr. Heiniger is the Corn Extension Specialist for North Carolina.

Dr. Heiniger is located at the Vernon G. James Research and Extension Center at Plymouth.

The meeting will begin with a short business session.

Lunch will be provided.