April 10, 2009

UNL Extension will host a crop scout training course in May for entry level scouts who will be working for crop consultants and industry agronomists this summer. The course is from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with registration at 8:30 a.m. on May 12 at the University's Agricultural Research and Development Center near Mead, said Keith Glewen, UNL Extension educator.

"Past participants have given the training high marks and state that the knowledge gained from attending greatly enhanced their scouting skills," Glewen said.

Topics include: how corn and soybean plants grow and develop; soybean and corn pests; insect update; plant morphology; using a key to identify weed seedlings; identifying weeds; crop diseases; and nutrient deficiencies.

Presenters include: Dale Flowerday, agronomist; Tamra Jackson, UNL Extension plant pathologist ; Keith Jarvi, UNL Extension educator and entomologist ; Keith Glewen, UNL Extension educator; Lowell Sandell, UNL Extension weed science educator; and Amy Ziems, UNL Extension Educator, plant pathology.

Previous attendees noted that the course provided a practical, working knowledge of the topics, which led to improved accuracy in field scouting. They also said they appreciated the hands-on, practical format used for the course.

Registration

Registration is $95 by May 5 and $105 after that date. A total of 5.5 Certified Crop Advisor Continuing Education Units is anticipated in the integrated pest management (4.0), crop production (1.0) and soil fertility (.5) categories.

For more information or to register, contact the ARDC, CMDC Programs, 1071 County Road G, Ithaca, Neb., 68033, call (402) 624-8000, fax (402) 624-8010, e-mail cdunbar2@unl.edu or visit the Web at http://ardc.unl.edu/cmdc.shtml.

Upcoming UNL Diagnostic Clinics

The training is part of the UNL Extension Crop Management Diagnostic Clinics and is sponsored by Extension in the University's Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Additional diagnostic clinics include: Mid-Summer Diagnostic Clinic July 22 of July 23 and the Late Season Diagnostic Clinic August 20.