Hybrid Corn Tops Agenda

By JAMES PIERCE
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Revolutionary drought tolerant corn and cellulosic ethanol production are two of the topics slated for presentation at this year's Panhandle Ag Appreciation Days.  The two day event begins at 3 p.m., Jan. 16, at the Texas County Activity Center.  Vendor booths will be open until 10 p.m. and will reopen on Sat. from 9 a.m. to Noon.  
"We're having the booths open on a Saturday this year, so that more people will be able to attend. This is mainly because we're really expecting a big trade show this year," stated Ronni Malone of the Guymon Chamber of Commerce.  
The dinner and awards presentation begins at 6 p.m. on Friday and will include OG&E guest speaker Jesse Langston with an update on wind energy in the Panhandle.  Tickets for the steak dinner are $5 each and are available through the Guymon Chamber of Commerce, Bank of the Panhandle, Farm Credit and the OSU Extension Office.
The Ag forum that includes State Rep. Gus Blackwell, State Senator Bryce Marlatt, and representatives from Frank Lucas' and Jim Inhofe's offices will be at 7 p.m.. The forum will also be broadcasted on KGYN and televised on PTCI for those who can not attend but would like to participate.
The dinner and awards presentation will include awards for the Farm Family of the Year and Agriculture Business of the Year.  Nomination forms can be picked up at the Guymon Chamber Office or on the Guymon Chamber website.  The deadline for nominations is Jan. 12.  Three Ag. Scholarships will also be awarded during the dinner.
The presentation on drought tolerant corn by Monsanto representative T.K. Baker will run from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Sat. followed by OSU Ag Engineer Ray Hunke with his presentation on cellulosic ethanol production from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m..  OSU Ag Economist Damona Doye will have a special presentation for women entitled Woman and Money on the Farm beginning at 11. a.m..
Panhandle Ag Appreciation days are sponsored by: The Bank of the Panhandle, CRI Feeders, Farm Credit, First National Bank of Texhoma, Guymon Daily Herald, Hitch Enterprises, KGYN, Seaboard Foods and Tri-County Electric.
For more information please contact the Guymon Chamber of Commerce at 580-338-3376 or visit their website at www.guymoncofc.org.