Delta Research and Extension Center

The Delta Research and Extension Center, or DREC, focuses its research and extension activities on cotton, rice, soybean, corn and catfish production. Scientists and Extension specialists work cooperatively to solve crop and aquaculture production problems and transfer new information and technology to area producers.
The Delta Branch research facility now covers about 1,650 acres total, including approximately 200 acres of federally owned land. Row crops are grown on about 1,200 of these acres, and soil types vary from very fine sandy loams to heavy clays. Additionally, 275 acres are catfish research ponds. The nearby Delta Experimental Forest covers close to 3,000 acres of state land. More than 12,000 people visit the Stoneville research complex each year. For an outstanding educational experience, visitors are given tours of the facility and labs and also interpretive driving tours of the crops and catfish ponds where at times the feeding of the catfish can be observed. Tours are given by reservation only.