Prizes awarded to CropWatch survey respondents

Pest management

Bt corn and resistance management in 2002

What happens if European corn borers begin exhibiting Bt resistance?

Controlling fall weeds in alfalfa

Resources

Country of origin labeling featured on Nov. 22 Market Journal

Agricultural economics

Finding local market solutions

Soils

Soil conditions drying; but still comparable to other years

Soils Home Study Course available this winter

Winter Extension meetings

Agronomy Highlights set for Dec. 4

Nebraska Soybean Day and Machinery Expo Dec. 14 in Wahoo

Crop Protection Clinics

Corn/Soybean Production and Marketing Workshops

Pesticide applicator training sessions

Crop Modeling for Environment-Specific Management

Nebraska Agricultural Technologies Association Conference

Returning to the Farm workshops

Integrated Crop Management meetings

Irrigation -- Soil and Water Management Short Course

Crop Pest Management

Basic Soils short course

Using Crop Production Decision Aid Computer Software

Surface Water Quality Management: Watershed Planning, TMDL's and Herbicide Runoff

Identity Preserved Crops for Livestock Management

Concepts in Soil Fertility and Nutrient Management

Soybean Insect Management

Alfalfa Production and Pest Management

Herbicide Action and Dissipation in Soils

Weed Identification

Crop Scout Training for Pest Managers

AgNews

Bait-and-kill strategy can slash insecticide use in Corn Belt

Impressions of China

Extension awards recognize leadership, dedication, accomplishments

Prizes awarded to CropWatch survey respondents

Congratulations to the following winners in this year's drawing:

John Skalsky of Curtis: One half-price reduction in the registration fee to an Integrated Crop Management Winter Program available at the NU ARDC near Mead. (Value not to exceed $50)

Daniel L. Javins of Kearney: A 2002 subscription to the print version of Crop Watch.

William Lueck of Arcadia: Free registration to the NU Crop Protection Clinic of your choice. (Value of $25)

Lawrence Oltman of Adams: One copy of the Crop Management and Diagnostic Clinic Reference Book (Value of $50)

John Hannah of Columbus; Richard Rice of Creighton, and Mark Werner of Davenport: Each will receive a copy of the new NU Agronomic Crops of Nebraska Nutrient Management Guide, a 176-page book addressing in depth the nutrient needs of the state's major agronomic crops. (Each is valued at $25)

Mark Kottmeyer of Kearney: Ten pairs of chemical resistant gloves. (Value of $25)

Mark Brockhaus of Madison: $25 toward the purchase of your choice of any NU Cooperative Extension publication(s).

Craig Murman of Glenvil, Gary Schroeder of Smithfield, and Eugene Trausch of Minden: Each will receive a free diagnosis from the NU Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic. (Each valued at $10)

Lisa Jasa
Crop Watch Editor

Bt corn and resistance management in 2002

What does this mean for Nebraska farmers? In practical terms, not much will change for farmers planting Bt corn in 2002, although resistance management compliance requirements have been strengthened.

Companies marketing Bt corn will have to monitor for the development of insect resistance, provide annual reports on the efficacy of resistance management plans, and implement remedial action plans in the event that resistance is detected in insect pest populations. They also will have to educate growers about resistance management. Farmers will be required to sign contractual grower agreements when buying Bt corn seed, and resistance management compliance surveys will be conducted annually. Actually, companies marketing Bt corn have already been performing most of these compliance activities during the last couple of years. For the Nebraska farmer, the same general resistance management requirements have remained in place.

Resistance management for European corn borers and Bt corn revolves around the use of refuge plantings. In Nebraska, a refuge is non-Bt corn. The purpose of the refuge is to supply a source of Bt-susceptible corn borers that can mate with resistant corn borers potentially emerging from nearby Bt corn. Specific resistance management information will be a part of each corn seed bag label. Be sure to discuss resistance management with your seed dealer.

The resistance management requirements as stated by EPA for 2002 are:

• Growers must plant a refuge of at least 20% non-Bt corn that may be treated with insecticides as needed to control lepidopteran (caterpillar) stalk-boring and other pests.
• Refuge planting options include: separate fields, blocks within fields (e.g. along the edges or headlands), and strips across the field.
• External refuges must be planted within 1/2 mile of the Bt field (1/4 mile or closer preferred).
• When planting the refuge in strips across the field, the strips should be at least four and preferably six rows wide.
• Insecticide treatments for control of European corn borer, corn earworm, southwestern corn borer (Cry1Ab or Cry1F corn hybrids) and/or fall armyworm and black cutworm (Cry1F corn hybrids only) may be applied only if economic thresholds are reached for one or more of these target pests. Economic thresholds will be determined using methods recommended by local or regional professionals (e.g. Extension educators, crop consultants). Microbial Bt insecticides (e.g. Dipel) must not be applied to non-Bt corn refuges.

Tom Hunt
Extension Entomologist
Haskell Ag Lab, Northeast REC

What happens if ECBs develop Bt resistance

The remedial action plan is part of an overall integrated resistance management (IRM) program. Its purpose is to contain resistance and perhaps eliminate resistance if it develops. The general plan is that registrants (Syngenta Seeds, Inc., Monsanto Co., Mycogen Seeds c/o Dow Agrosciences LLC, Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.) must monitor insect susceptibility to Bt toxins, respond to reports of less than expected results or control failures for target pests (e.g. ECB). If needed, they will implement a "remedial action plan". Of course, there are various steps and requirements for each of these basic steps. This article focuses on the remedial action plan.

Two types of situations may occur which will trigger remedial action. The first is suspected resistance and the second is confirmed resistance.

Suspected resistance is not simply a case of reported product failure. There are several requirements that must be met for a situation to be classified as "suspected resistance". They include:

• the corn in question has been confirmed to be Bt corn;
• the seed used had the proper percentage of corn expressing Bt protein;
• the relevant plant tissues are expressing the expected level of Bt protein; and
• it has been ruled out that an insect species not susceptible to the Bt protein (e.g. grasshopper) could have caused the damage, that no climatic or cultural reasons could be responsible for the damage, and that other reasonable causes for the observed product failure have been ruled out.

If the situation meets these requirements, the registrant must instruct growers to use alternative methods to control the pest suspected of resistance in the affected region and destroy crop residues in the affected region immediately after harvest (i.e. within one month). Crop destruction methods will be appropriate for local production practices (e.g. incorporating crop residues into the soil) to minimize the possibility of resistant insects successfully overwintering.

A situation is classified as "confirmed resistance" if the offspring of the sampled insect population (e.g. ECB) exhibit specific survival characteristics in each of several different laboratory bioassays. If resistance is confirmed, the registrant must notify the EPA within 30 days and take the following measures:

• notify customers and extension educators in the affected area;
• require customers and extension educators in the affected area to use alternative control measures to reduce or control the target pest;
• where appropriate, require that crop residues be incorporated into the soil after harvest; and
• immediately stop sale and distribution of Bt corn in the affected area (remedial action zone) until an effective local mitigation plan approved by the EPA has been implemented.

During the following growing season of a confirmed resistance incident the sales suspension of all Bt corn hybrids (with the same or similar Bt proteins as those with the resistance insects) in the affected area would continue until an EPA-approved local resistance management plan is in place. Alternative resistance management strategies will be developed and recommended for controlling the resistant pests, and all relavent personnel (e.g. growers, consultants, and seed distributors) will be apprised of the situation.

So, finding resistance does not mean an end to Bt corn, even in the area where resistance is found. What it does mean is that a series of procedures will be put in place to contain the resistance and hopefully eliminate it. To date there has been no documented case of European corn borers developing resistance to Bt corn in the field. All reports of possible product failure have been proven to be false and the result of other causes. None of these cases would have fulfilled the requirements to be classified as "suspected resistance."

While responsibility for the monitoring and reporting lies with the registrants, the farmer has the most important job in maintaining the continued effectiveness of Bt corn and limiting the development of resistance. This job is following resistance management practices and reporting any possible product failure to their seed dealer or local extension person. With continued IRM compliance we may never need to resort to a "remedial action plan", and therefore preserve Bt corn as an effective pest management tool well into the future.

Tom Hunt
Extension Entomology Specialist
Haskell Ag Lab, Northeast REC

Diversify market plans and develop a local attitude amid a growing global ag market

Our farm economy is closely tied to a global food system. A large proportion of our commodity crops are exported from Nebraska and the United States. We depend on global security and economic stability, as well as inexpensive fossil fuels, to keep this system intact. Given the attacks on New York City and Washington D.C. and the broad economic consequences, we also begin to appreciate the fragility of the system and our dependence on agricultural exports. We also may need to think about the impact of our exports on family farmers in countries where we sell these products.

The obvious short-term solution is to establish and maintain security in the current system. A longer-term discussion should include thoughtful study of why insecurity occurs, how large economic differences between north and south affect global stability, and what alternatives should be considered for us in agriculture. For example, who ultimately benefits from the current export-oriented agriculture, and how are these benefits distributed? Do Nebraska family farms and our rural communities receive the benefits from an industrial model agriculture that locks them into a few subsidized commodity crops, dependence on government subsidies, and reliance on a shrinking number of input suppliers and grain buyers often found under the same umbrella corporations? Do we have other options?

What about local food systems? Each food molecule in the United States travels an average of 1,400 miles from point of production to the table. In Nebraska, we import about 70% of the food we consume, in spite of our enormous natural resource base and agricultural productivity. If we could substitute food produced and processed within the state for even one quarter of what we currently import, this would be an additional multi-million dollar infusion into our local economy, communities, and farms. Money spent for local crops and products circulates three to four times in the community where this business occurs, an additional boost to economic viability in rural Nebraska. Farmers' markets, community supported agriculture, local processing, fruits and vegetables in season in our supermarkets, and direct sales from the farm are all options we should pursue. This is one way that we can look at the larger issues in designing a viable future agriculture for Nebraska, rather than pursuing a singular strategy of increased exports.

Charles Francis
Professor of Agronomy and Horticulture

Several nice rains would benefit drying soils

Most of the state has now been upgraded to abnormally dry conditions on the U.S. Drought Monitor. This is merely a reflection of the recent dry spell and does not signify at this time a return to drought status for most of the state. In order to drop the abnormally dry criteria, the western half of Nebraska needs to receive 0.50-1.00 inches of liquid equivalent precipitation prior to the ground freezing up. For eastern Nebraska, we would like to see 1.00-1.50 inches.

Even with the dry conditions during the last few weeks, soil moisture recordings indicate that moisture supplies are at or above levels recorded at the end of April. In fact, conditions right now are better than they have been at the same comparison point in 1999 and 2000. Models run by the Climate Prediction Center indicate that Nebraska soil moisture is normal, or when put into statistical terms, plus or minus 20% of the statistical mean.

Southwest Nebraska still remains a concern due to effects from the prolonged drought on hydrological components including streamflow rates and reservoir recharge. At this time, we feel that above normal snowfall/snowpack in eastern Colorado will be the key to alleviating the effects of prolonged drought for this area; however, the primary snow season for this region doesn't occur until February to April.

Al Dutcher
State Climatologist
Agricultural Meteorology

Fall weed control in alfalfa

Several herbicides provide good control for winter annual weeds in alfalfa. For stands over one year old, Karmex, Sinbar, Lexone, Sencor, Zorial, and Velpar herbicides can be used. All six herbicides do a good job of controlling broadleaves like pennycress and mustard. They also do a pretty good job of controlling downy brome, except for Karmex. While Karmex does not do a good job on downy brome, it still may be the best choice for broadleaf control on low organic matter soils.

If you seeded alfalfa this year, use other herbicides. Pursuit is best for both broadleaf and grassy weeds. If only grasses like volunteer wheat are a problem, use Poast Plus or Select. And for just broadleaves, use Buctril or Butyrac, as long as temperatures remain well above freezing for several days.Controlling these weeds now while they’re still small may mean reduced competition and increased yields for next year’s cuttings.

Bruce Anderson
Extension Forage Specialist

Country of origin labeling featured on Nov. 22 Market Journal

Many U.S. producers and processors are asking that imported meat products be labeled with their country of origin.

The implications of that approach for U.S. packers, producers and consumers will be discussed on Market Journal by Steve Cady, assistant director of the Nebraska Pork Producers Association; Dillon Feuz, NU farm management specialist; and David McLaren, NU food industry consultant. Doug Jose, NU agricultural economist, hosts the program.

Market Journal will be webcast Thursday, Nov. 22 at 8 p.m. CST. The program will be archived for later viewing online.

Also on the program, Roy Frederick, NU public policy specialist, will discuss current public policy relating to agriculture, and Harry Knobbe, West Point cattle producer, and Al Prosch, Pork Central program coordinator, will take a look at the hog and cattle markets. Al Dutcher, NU state climatologist, will discuss the weather forecasts.

Market Journal is a production of NU Cooperative Extension and the Department of Agricultural Economics.

Soils Home Study Course available this winter

Fertilizer needs of a crop depend on many factors. To help understand these interrelated requirements, the Soils Home Study Course covers ten major topics. Beginning with the origin and development of soils and physical properties of soils, the text then proceeds to such topics as nitrogen management, soil pH, phosphorus, potassium, micro nutrients, and fertilizer materials and concludes with a discussion on soil test philosophies and the scientific basis for making fertilizer recommendations.

The cost of the course is $60, which includes the manual and all mailing costs associated with completing the course. The course has ten lessons with quizzes. Completed quizzes are sent to participating Extension educators for grading and then returned to participants. A certificate of completion will be issued to all who complete the course. Ten CCA credits are available upon completion of the course by Certified Crop Consultants. The course is also available through the Internet.

If you're interested in taking the course, contact your local participating Cooperative Extension educator or Jim Peterson, Extension educator in Washinton County, Box 325, Blair, Nebraska 68008 (402-426-9455) or further information about the Soils Home Study Course.

Winter Meetings

Agronomy Highlights set for Dec. 4

NU researchers and specialists will cover topics ranging from new food and horticultural crops to emerging technologies and the latest research findings, said Ken Cassman, head of the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture.The program, planned for 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Lincoln's Cornhusker Hotel, is targeted at crop consultants, industry professionals, Extension educators, and producers.

"This program has become a tradition that celebrates the high quality, high impact and future directions of the wide range of programs in our department," Cassman said.

Topics include endangered species restoration, wildflowers' links to NU research, the development of chicory as a new Panhandle crop, Nebraska's grape and wine industry, white wheat's status, native and turfgrass seed production, building a crop genomics, using plant transformation for genetic crop improvement, and yield potential and optimum soil productivity in irrigated and dryland corn production.

Poster presentations will address a variety of topics. A free lunch is provided to those registering by Nov. 26. For more information or to register, contact the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture at (402) 472-2811.

Sandi S. Alswager
IANR Newswriter

Nebraska Soybean Day and Machinery Expo Dec. 14 in Wahoo

"Producers will learn from research projects, as well as real world situations and strategies," said Keith Glewen, Extension edu-cator and soybean day coordinator.

Producers will be able to visit with representatives from seed, herbicide, fertilizer and equipment companies and view new farm equipment in the fairgrounds pavilion during the 10 a.m. break.

Topics will include: what the 2001 growing season means for 2002, soybean insects, taking control of soybean diseases, early planted soybean research, no-till's performance, planting Bt corn, soybean markets and new marketing channels for soybeans.

Preregistration is not required. For more information call Glewen at (800)529-8030 or e-mail kglewen1@unl.edu.

Workshop helps family operations prepare for transitions in the management team

"Returning to the Farm," will be conducted Dec. 14-15 and Jan. 18-19 at the University of Nebraska East Union.

Families will evaluate the business and personal aspects of their operations, create short- and long-term operation goals, discuss business options, assess individual commitments to the operation and analyze their operation's financial performance. Participants also will learn how to use each family member's strengths in decision-making.

The workshop is recommended for college students, parents, spouses and significant others who plan to farm or ranch together, families currently operating farms or ranches and those who are making business and family decisions. All members of an operation's management team should attend, Rood said.

Registration is $150 per family plus $10 per attending family member. Participants must attend both sessions. Registration, which is due by Nov. 21, is limited to the first 15 families. If the program isn't filled, registrations will be accepted up to the date of the first weekend. For more information or to register contact Rood at (800)535-3456.

Agricultural Technology Conference Feb. 4-5

"Conference participants can expect to see and experience the latest agricultural technologies," said Dave Varner, NU Extension educator and IANR precision agriculture initiative coordinator.

The program will include concurrent sessions on new agricultural technologies led by farmers, private industry professionals, UNL faculty, and other agricultural agency representatives. The trade show will provide hands-on technology experience for participants.

For more information contact Varner at (402) 540-9315 or dvarner1@unl.edu

Corn/Soybean Production and Marketing Workshops

Formerly known as the Corn/Soybean Expos, these workshops are held in two one-day sessions, two weeks apart at each of five Nebraska sites. The first set of meetings -- Production Innovations -- will cover changes that can be implemented on-farm.

Topics during the production sessions will include:

• Reducing risk and improving yields by better variety and hybrid selection
• Effective, low risk weed management; total Post vs Pre + Post, glyphosate brands comparison study.
• Reports from the Nebraska Corn Board and Nebraska Corn Growers Association and the Nebraska Soybean Board and Growers Association.
• How to improve yields by reducing costs in the corn/soybean rotation and fertility, insects and diseases.
• Economics of doing your own pesticide application sprayer set-up, nozzle selection, drift management.

• Assessing your cash flow and risk management needs
• The role of crop insurance in marketing plans
• Pre-harvest decisions and forward pricing strategies
• Post harvest marketing decisions and basis patterns
• The use of options to complement other strategies.

Preregistration for these meetings is not required. A fee of $15 per day will be charged to cover the costs of the meal, refreshments, and printed seminar materials. All meetings will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Production Innovation Sessions

Monday, Jan. 28, Norfolk

Tuesday, Jan. 29, Ainsworth<>

Wednesday, Jan. 30, Holdrege

Thursday, Jan. 31, Aurora

Friday, Feb. 1, Beatrice

Monday, Feb. 11, Norfolk

Tuesday, Feb. 12, Ainsworth

Wednesday, Feb. 13, Holdrege

Thursday, Feb. 14, Aurora

Friday, Feb. 15, Beatrice

For more information, contact Robert Klein, Extension cropping systems specialist, at (308) 532-3611 ext 144 or the Extension educator at the location where you plan to attend. CCA credits have been applied for, with 4.5 credits expected for each day of the workshops.

Crop Protection Clinics

Register for clinics at the door. Fee is $25. For more information contact your local Cooperative Extension office or call the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture Weed Science Section at (402) 472-1527. All meetings start at 8:50 a.m.

Schedule

Lincoln, Jan. 3 -- Lancaster Extension Education Center, 444 Cherrycreek Road

Fremont, Jan. 4 -- Holiday Lodge, 1220 East 23rd Street

York, Jan. 8 -- Chances Are Restaurant, 124 West 5th Street

Hastings, Jan. 9 -- Garden Cafe (Holiday Inn), 2201 Osborne Drive East

O'Neill, Jan. 10 -- Allison's Restaurant, 5th and Douglas Streets

Norfolk, Jan. 11 -- Lifelong Learning Center, Northeast Community College, 601 East Benjamin

Scottsbluff, Jan. 14 -- NU Panhandle Research and Extension Center, 4502 Avenue I

Ogallala, Jan. 16 -- Ramada Limited, 201 Chuckwagon Road

Broken Bow, Jan. 17 -- Uncle Ed's Steak House, 625 South 10th St.

Holdrege, Jan 18 -- Ag Center (Fairgrounds), 1308 2nd Street

Deshler, Jan 22 -- American Legion Club, 1109 4th Street

Auburn, Jan 23 -- Arbor Manor Restaurant, 1617 Central Avenue

NU Pesticide Applicator Training Sessions Slated Early in 2002

NU Cooperative Extension-sponsored training will be offered at many locations statewide from January through April. Nebraska has about 8,000 commercial and noncommercial pesticide applicators. The university conducts educational programs for pesticide applicators and the Nebraska Department of Agriculture grants certification, explained Larry Schulze, pesticide coordinator in NU's Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

While training isn't required for initial certification, Schulze said, "it is extremely helpful in successfully preparing for the certification examinations administered by the state."

Anyone interested in training should get a copy of the Pesticide Applicator Education Schedule for Certifying and Recertifying Commercial/Noncommercial Applicators. It includes a registration/study material order form, training schedules and certification information. It's available from local extension offices, NU's pesticide education office at (800)627-7216 or (402)472-1632 or online at http://pested.unl.edu/pat.

Nebraska-certified commercial and noncommercial pesticide applicators whose certifications expire April 15, 2002, will be notified via postcard around Nov. 19. By early December, they'll get the booklet in the mail. Applicators seeking initial certification need to request a copy.

Two commercial applicator categories -- ornamental and turf, and structural/health related -- require state certification even for applying only general use pesticides, Schulze said.

A $30 extension program fee applies for each applicator registering for the February, March and April sessions, regardless of the number of categories they register for. Required study materials for initial applicants range from $15 to $35 per packet, depending on category.

Recertification opportunities are available at several extension offices statewide in February and March, and at several annual conferences and trade association meetings early next year.

Initial certification is based on passing a general standards exam, plus testing in one or more specific applicator categories, Schulze said. Applicants can study on their own for the exam, but he highly recommends the training and use of study materials. Recertification -- agricultural plant category

The only opportunity for commercial and noncommercial applicators to recertify in the agricultural plant category, other than by examination, will be at NU Crop Protection Clinics. Register at the door for clinics, which start at 8:50 a.m. local time at these locations and dates. (See Crop Protection Clinics for dates and locations.)

Recertification in additional applicator categories will be offered at the following locations and dates. Recertification categories vary from site to site and preregistration is required.

Ainsworth: Courthouse meeting room, 148 W. 4th St., Feb. 21.

Albion: KC Hall, 525 W. Church St., Feb. 21.

Alliance: Box Butte County Extension Office, 415 Black Hills St., Feb. 21.

Beatrice: Gage County Extension Office, fairgrounds, 1115 W. Scott, Feb. 6 or 21.

Columbus: Platte County Courthouse, 2610 14th St., Feb. 21.

Fremont: Dodge County Extension Office, 1206 W. 23rd St., Feb. 21.

Grand Island: College Park, Highways 34/281, Feb. 6 or March 5.

Grant: Perkins County Extension Office, 200 Lincoln Ave., Feb. 6.

Holdrege: Phelps County Fairgrounds, Ag Center, 1308 2nd St., Feb. 6 or 21.

Lincoln: Lancaster County Extension Office, 444 Cherrycreek Rd., Feb. 6 or 21.

Norfolk: Lifelong Learning Center, Northeast Community College, 601 E. Benjamin, Feb. 6 or 21 or March 5.

North Platte: NU West Central Research and Extension Center, 461 W. University Dr., Feb. 6 or 21.

Ogallala: Keith County Fairgrounds, Exhibit Hall, March 5.

Omaha: Douglas County Extension Office, 8015 West Center Rd., Feb. 6 or 21 or March 5.

O'Neill: Holt County Extension Office meeting room, 128 N. 6th St., Feb. 21.

Ord: Valley County Extension Office meeting room, 801 S St., Feb. 21 or March 5.

Rushville: Sheridan County Extension Office, 105 Loofborrow St., Feb. 6.

Scottsbluff: NU Panhandle Research and Extension Center, 4502 Ave. I, Feb. 6 or March 5.

Valentine: Cherry County Extension Office meeting room, 110 W. 4th St., Feb. 21. Conference recertification opportunities

Nebraska Turfgrass Conference: Jan. 7, Holiday Inn Convention Center, 72nd and Grover Sts., Omaha; ornamental and turf pest control and forest pest control categories. Call the Nebraska Turfgrass Foundation, (402)463-5418.

Urban Pest Management Conference: Jan. 17-18, Downtown Holiday Inn, 141 N. 9th St., Lincoln; structural/health-related pest control, public health pest control, and food and grain fumigation categories. Call UNL Entomologist Shripat Kamble, (402)472-2123.

Nebraska Seed Improvement Conference: Jan. 30, Holiday Inn, Kearney; seed treatment category. Call the Nebraska Crop Improvement Association, (402)472-1444.

Nebraska Aviation Trades Association Conference: Feb. 12-13, Ramada Inn, Kearney; aerial pest control category. Call Nebraska Aviation Trades Association, (402)475-6282.

Nebraska Grain and Feed Association Trade Show and Winter Convention: Feb. 19, Holiday Inn, Kearney; fumigation category. Call the Nebraska Grain and Feed Association, (402)476-6174.

Custom Applicator School: Feb. 28, Central Community College, Hastings campus, Student Center Basement, Cottonwood Room; agricultural pest control-plant category. Call the Nebraska Agricultural Business Association, (402)476-1528. Initial certification training

Beatrice: Gage County Extension Office, fairgrounds, 1115 W. Scott, Feb. 7 or March 7.

Columbus: Platte County Courthouse, 2610 14th St., Feb. 19 or March 7.

Fremont: Dodge County Extension Office, 1206 W. 23rd St., March 7.

Grand Island: College Park, Highways 34/281, Feb. 7 and 19 or March 7.

Grant: Perkins County Cooperative Extension Office, 200 Lincoln Ave., Feb. 7.

Lincoln: Lancaster County Extension Office, 444 Cherrycreek Rd., Feb. 7, March 7 and April 25.

Norfolk: Lifelong Learning Center, Northeast Community College, 601 E. Benjamin, Feb. 7 or 19 or March 7.

North Platte: NU West Central Research and Extension Center, 461 W. University Dr., Feb. 7 or 19 or March 7.

Ogallala: Keith County Fairgrounds exhibit hall, Feb. 19.

Omaha: Douglas County Extension Office, 8015 West Center Rd., Feb. 7 or 19, March 7 or April 25.

Scottsbluff: NU Panhandle Research and Extension Center, 4502 Ave. I, Feb. 7 or 19, March 7 or April 25.

Larry Schulze
Extension Pesticide Coordinator
Steven Ress
Communications Coordinator, Water Center

Crop Modeling Workshop, tour Dec. 10-14

This workshop is designed to help farmers, researchers and crop consultants learn to use the latest technologies to increase yields and profits.

Bob Caldwell, Extension cropping systems specialist and conference chair, said the precision ag tour will be of particular benefit. Participants will be able to see real-world examples of how crop models are being used today and see and study some of the more important soils in the state.

“One of the important components we are adding this year is a map analysis service,” Caldwell said. Workshop sponsors include the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Oregon State University, University of Florida, American Society of Agricultural Engineering, American Society of Agronomy, American Society of Horticulture Science, Crop Science Society of America, mPower3, Nebraska Agricultural Technologies Association, Nebraska Research Initiative, Soil Sciences Society of America, USDA/ARS Soil and Water Conservation Research Unit and the USDA/NRCS National Soil Survey Center.

Cost is $495 and does not include hotel accommodations. Hotel reservations are available by calling (402) 472-3435. More information about the workshop is available by calling (402) 472-2844 or by visiting its web site.

Integrated crop management winter programs

Courses will be taught by university and industry specialists and provide intensive and detailed instruction. Fees and specific information for each course are listed in the following section.

Early registration is recommended. Those registering at least one week before a program will receive a discount. Fees include a course instruction manual, lunch, refreshments, and all workshop materials. Registration fees do not include the cost of lodging. Listed meeting times are tentative. Early registrants will receive a confirmation letter, exact meeting time, map, and other details.

For more information, contact NU Cooperative Extension at (402) 624-8030 or e-mail Keith Glewen, Extension educator in Saunders County, at kglewen1@unl.edu. Further information about these classes will soon be available on the web at the ARDC web site.

IRRIGATION -- SOIL and WATER MANAGEMENT SHORT COURSE

Details: Dec. 11, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. CST at College Park, Grand Island This is a CCA test preparatory short course. CCA credits applied for include: 4.5 in soil and water management and 1.5 in crop production. Program fee is $90 if registration is received by Dec. 4 and $100 after Dec. 4.

Program content: assembling soil and water relations information; soil and water measurement techniques; estimating crop water use rates; irrigation scheduling using spreadsheets; irrigation efficiency: field vs. watershed; furrow irrigation system management; sprinkler positioning issues; irrigation system case studies - economics; and irrigation system cost share programs.

Instructors: Chuck Burr, Extension educator; Jose Payero, Extension water resource engineer; Steve Melvin, Extension educator; Derrel Martin, professor of biological systems engineering; Dean Yonts, Extension irrigation engineer; Bill Kranz, Extension irrigation specialist; Roger Selley, Extension farm management specialist; James Huntwork, USDA-NRCS district conservationist; and Chuck Schmidt, USDA-NRCS state water management engineer.

CROP PEST MANAGEMENT

Details: Dec. 18, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. CST at the Lifelong Learning Center, Norfolk This is a CCA test preparatory short course. CCA credits applied for include: 8.5 in pest management. Program fee is $125 until Dec. 11 and $135 after Dec 11.

Program content: plant disease biology; insect biology; weed biology; plant pathogens, weeds and insect laboratory exercise; joint field diagnosis of crop injury symptoms; insect management concepts; and herbicide action in plants and the environment.

Instructors: Brady Kappler, Extension Weed Science Educator; Alex Martin, Extension weed specialist; Stevan Knezevic, Extension weed specialist; John Watkins, Extension plant pathologist; Loren Giesler, Extension plant pathologist; Tom Hunt, Extension entomologist; and Keith Jarvi, Extension IPM specialist.

BASIC SOILS

Details: Dec. 19-20, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CST at the Lifelong Learning Center in Norfolk. CCA credits applied for include: 13.5 CCA credits (3.5 for soil and water management and 10 for nutrient management). Registration is $225 if received by Dec. 11 and $245 after Dec. 11. Sessions are tentatively scheduled for 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. This two-day short course is designed specifically for individuals who will take the Certified Crop Advisor Exam in February.

Program content: how soils develop and vary; soil survey usage, physical and chemical characteristics of soils, soil water issues, and plant growth and development. Other topics to be discussed during the two-day program will include soil and fertilizer nitrogen and phosphorus, macro nutrients and micro nutrients, manure management, soil sampling procedures, soil testing principles and plant analysis, fertilizer recommendation philosophies, and precision agriculture.

Instructors:Byron Vaughn, chief of staff, Agronomic Services at MDS Harris Laboratories, Cation Exchange capacity, pH and liming, and other topics; Bill Kranz, Extension irrigation specialist; Dave Tarkalson, Extension soil fertility and nutrient management specialist; Charles Wortmann, Extension nutrient management specialist; Charles Shapiro, Extension soils specialist, Richard Ferguson, Extension soils specialist; and Robert Caldwell, cropping systems specialist.

CROP PRODUCTION DECISION AID COMPUTER SOFTWARE

Details: Jan. 30, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. CST at the Ag Research and Development Center, near Mead CCA credits (5-7) have been applied for. Program fee is $75 if registering by Jan. 23 and $85 after Jan. 23.

Program content: Fine-tuning nitrogen rates; calculating preplant nitrogen rates; estimating nitrogen volatilization losses and estimating nitrate leaching; determining nutrients available from manure; assessing a site for phosphorus loss to streams and lakes; weed identification; cost effective and environmentally sound herbicide treatments; on-line decision worksheets for first and second generation European corn borers; how economic thresholds are developed for insect pests and maximizing their use; treatment thresholds for insect pests; recognizing and using different treatment thresholds; geospatial applications in crop production; true costs of weeds; and using WeedSOFT to apply economics to weed management decisions.

Instructors: Alex Martin, Extension weed specialist; Charles Shapiro, Extension soils specialist; Robert Caldwell, Extension cropping systems specialist; Tom Hunt, Extension entomolgist; Keith Jarvi, IPM Extension specialist; Brady Kappler, Extension weed science educator; Maribeth Milner, GIS Specialist.

SURFACE WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT: WATERSHED PLANNING, TMDL'S AND HERBICIDE RUNOFF

Details: Feb. 7, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. CST at the Ag Research and Development Center, near Mead. CCA credits applied for are 5-6 in soil and water management. Program fee is $75 before Jan. 31 and $85 after Jan. 31.

Program content: Status and development of total maximum daily load (TMDL) regulations in Nebraska; local watershed planning for surface water quality - chemical and soil factors; and best management practices to reduce herbicide runoff.

Instructors: Paul Brakhage, Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality; Pat O’Brien, DEQ; Paul Sweeney, NRCS; Steve Comfort, soil environmental chemist; Fred Roeth, Extension weed specialist; Thomas Franti, Extension surface water management engineer

IDENTITY PRESERVED CROPS FOR LIVESTOCK MANAGEMENT

Details: Feb. 12, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. CST at the Ag Research and Development Center, near Mead CCA credits applied for include: 5-6 in crop production. Program fee is $75 if received by Feb. 5 and $85 after Feb. 5.

Program content: the dietary needs of pigs and cattle; how grains contribute to those needs; benefits of enhanced corn (i.e., high protein, high oil, high oleic acid, high lysine) for a pork or beef producer; the genetics and breeding of specialty grain traits with commodity grain; the role of soil nitrogen availability on grain traits, and its effect on livestock nutrition.

Instructors: Galen Erickson Extension feedlot specialist, and Duane Reese, professor, both from the animal science department; Steve Mason, professor, and Don Lee, associate professor, both in the agronomy and horticulture department.

CONCEPTS IN SOIL FERTILITY AND NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT

Details: Feb. 14, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. MST at the NU Panhandle REC at Scottsbluff and Feb. 20 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. CST at the NU Ag Research and Development Center, near Mead CCA credits applied for include: 5-6 in soil fertility. Program fee is $75 before Feb. 7 and $85 after Feb. 7.

Program content: Understanding soil for maximizing profits; the right soil testing strategy; soil test measurements; optimizing soil sampling; interpreting soil test results; fertilizer recommendations and why they differ; emerging issues related to higher yields; and economics of fertilizer use.

Instructors: Jurg Blumenthal, Extension soils specialist (Scottsbluff only); Achim Dobermann, Extension soil fertility/nutrient management specialist; Charles Wortmann, Extension nutrient management specialist; Charles Shapiro, Extension soils specialist; Daniel Walters, NU soils scientist; David Tarkalson, Extension soil fertility and nutrient management specialist (Scottsbluff site only); Richard Ferguson, Extension soils specialist.

SOYBEAN INSECT MANAGEMENT

Details: Feb. 14, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. CST at the Lifelong Learning Center, Norfolk and Feb. 27, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. at College Park, Grand Island. CCA credits applied for include: 1 in crop production and 4-5 in pest management. Program fee is $75 by Feb. 7 and $85 after Feb. 7.

Program content: Soybean growth and development; assessing soybean defoliation; soybean tolerance to defoliation; economic threshold use; scouting methods/procedures; and biology, identification and management of common soybean insects in Nebraska.

Instructors at Norfolk: Tom Hunt, Extension entomolgist and Keith Jarvi, IPM Extension specialist

Instructors at Grand Island: Bob Wright, Extension entomologist, and Ron Seymour, Extension entomology educator.

ALFALFA PRODUCTION AND PEST MANAGEMENT

Feb. 19, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. CST; 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. MST
Live

Lifelong Learning Center, Norfolk

NU Ag Research & Development Center, near Mead

NU Panhandle Res. & Ext. Center, Scottsbluff

Via satellite

College Park, Grand Island

NU West Central Research and Extension Center, North Platte

Details: CCA credits applied for include: 3 in pest management; 1.25 in nutrient management and 1 in soil and water management. Program fee is $75 if registration is received by Feb. 12 and $85 after Feb. 12.

Program content: Irrigation management sprinkler and furrow from east to west; disease management in alfalfa; alfalfa soil fertility management plan; understanding insect management of alfalfa; developing an effective weed control program. Trainers will be available to cover the topics for all areas of the state.

Instructors/facilitators: Keith Glewen, Extension educator; Bruce Anderson, Extension forage specialist; Paul Swanson, Extension educator; John Wilson, Extension educator; Steve Gramlich, Extension educator; Tom Holman, Extension educator; Loren Giesler, Extension plant pathologist; Jurg Blumenthal, Extension soils specialist; Charles Shapiro, Extension soils specialist; Thomas Hunt, Extension entomologist; Keith Jarvi, IPM specialist; Stevan Knezevic, Extension weed specialist; Robert Wilson, Extension weed specialist; Dean Yonts, Extension weed specialist

HERBICIDE ACTION AND DISSIPATION IN SOILS

Details: March 5, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. at College Park, Grand Island CCA credits applied for include: 5-7 in soil and water and pest management. Program fee is $75 before Feb. 26 and $85 afterward.

Program content: Understanding herbicide leaching, runoff, biodegradation and absorption; how herbicide action is affected by dissipation processes; why glyphosate has no preemergence activity; what herbicides impose environmental risks; practical ways to reduce environmental risks while increasing crop safety and weed control, and the dynamic processes that affect herbicides in soil and water environments.

Instructors: Fred Roeth, Extension weed specialist; Steve Comfort, Extension soil environmental chemist

WEED IDENTIFICATION

Details: March 7, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. CST at the West Central REC, North Platte CCA credits applied for include: 5 in pest management. Program fee is $75 before Feb. 28 and $85 after Feb. 28.

Program content: Hands-on identification of grasses and broadleaf weeds; the biology of weeds and how it impacts production; using a hand lens to identify difficult characteristics in grasses and broadleaf weeds. Hand lens and reference materials are provided.

Instructors: Brady Kappler, Extension educator; and Aaron Waltz, NU graduate student, agronomy.

CROP SCOUT TRAINING FOR PEST MANAGERS

Details: March 12, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. CST at the Ag Research and Development Center, near Mead CCA credits applied for include: 5 in pest management. Program fee is $75 before March 5 and $85 after March 5.

Program content: Growth staging of corn and soybean plants; recognizing fertilizer deficiencies; identifying major pests in corn and soybeans; economic insect thresholds; soybean cyst nematodes; and weed and disease identification and management.

Instructors: Dale Flowerday, agronomist, Delmar Consulting; Keith Glewen, Extension educator; Barb Ogg, Extension educator; Brady Kappler, Extension educator

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Copyright 2001 by the University of Nebraska

Published by University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension in the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources Cooperating with the counties and the U.S. Department of Agriculture

University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension educational programs abide with the non-discrimination policies of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the United States Department of Agriculture.