Crop Protection Clinics: What you need to know for 2007

Clinic dates and sites For more information on any of these meetings, contact the extension educator in the host county. January 4, Auburn, Arbor Manor, 1617 Central Ave. January 5, Beatrice, Holiday Inn Express, 4005 North 6th St. January 9, York, Chances "R", 124 West 5th St. January 10, Hastings, Garden Cafe, Holiday Inn Convention Center, 2201 Osborne Drive East January 11, O'Neill, Knights of Columbus Hall (KC), 405 West Douglas St. January 12, Norfolk, Lifelong Learning Center, 601 East Benjamin January 16, Scottsbluff, Panhandle Research and Extension Center, 4502 Avenue I January 17, Ogallala, Grey Goose Lodge, 201 Chuckwagon Rd. January 18, Broken Bow, Bum Steer, 625 South 10th Ave. January 19, Holdrege, Ag Center, 1308 2nd St. January 22, Lincoln, Lancaster Extension Education Center, 444 Cherrycreek Rd. January 23, Fremont, Christensen Field (Main Arena), West Linden and Ridge Rd.

The 2007 Crop Protection Clinics, sponsored by UNL Extension, will address new problems, new products and recommendations for crop pest management in Nebraska. Extension specialists in weed science, plant pathology and entomology will cover the “hot” topics in the crop protection industry and share objective, research-based information to help you better manage inputs and production costs.

Clinics will be held at 12 sites across the state beginning in early January. Presentation topics will vary to suit the agriculture, crops and pests of the region where the meeting is being held. The following topics are among those being presented.

• Glyphosate-resistant marestail was confirmed in Nebraska this year – the first glyphosate resistant weed in the state; learn how to control it as well as manage your herbicide program to avoid the development of other herbicide-resistant weeds.
• Weeds usurp a critical, but often limited crop resource – water; learn how to manage weeds to better conserve the available water.
• In some areas plant diseases which hadn’t been a problem in recent years got a foothold and lowered yields and complicated harvest; learn more about these “newcomers” and how to manage them.
• Foliar fungicides have been reported to provide a sizeable yield increase, but results haven’t been consistent; learn more about the results from research trials.
• A new BT technology is available in 2007 seed; learn what it can and can’t do and how it compares with older Bt products.
• An extended diapause period for northern corn rootworm can complicate traditional management strategies; learn how to update your plan to counter this;
• Learn about new pesticide products for weed, insect and disease control, including those for which registrations are pending.
• Learn how to protect your health and the environment when applying pesticides.

At each site, registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and meetings are held from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The registration fee is $30 and includes meals, refreshments and resources such as the Crop Protection Clinic proceedings and the 2007 Guide for Weed Management in Nebraska. Meetings also meet recertification requirements for commercial and noncommercial applicators in the ag plant category and its subcategories: research and demonstration and regulatory. Bring your current pesticide applicator registration card so that a representative of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture can facilitate recertification.

Clinic organizers have applied for 4.5 CEU Certified Crop Advisor credits in the pest management competency area.

Copyright 2006 by the University of Nebraska Board of Regents. All rights reserved.

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

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln does not discriminate on the basis of gender, age, disability, race, color, religion, marital status, veteran's status, national or ethnic origin, or sexual orientation.