Media Contact: Catherine Dehdashti, U of M Extension, (612) 625-0237, ced@umn.edu

Extension offers three crop production programs in East Central Minnesota

ST. PAUL, Minn. 01/23/2008) — University of Minnesota Extension is offering three crop production update programs in East Central Minnesota in February 2008.

The Crop Pest Management Update is Feb. 1, from 1 p.m. to 4: p.m. at the American Legion, (6439 Elm St.) North Branch. Giant ragweed is the latest weed confirmed resistant to glyphosate, and it’s been found in Minnesota. Speakers and topics include:

• Dave Nicolai, U of M Extension educator, “Glyphosate Resistance: What’s Next” and “What are you Really Spraying—Update on Active Ingredients and Crop Rotation Restrictions.”
• Ken Ostlie, U of M Extension entomologist, “Corn and Soybean Insect Update.”
• Chad Barnick, Barnick Insurance Agency, “Crop Insurance Update for 2008.”
• Leroy Sandven, Chisago County FSA, “An Update on the Farm Bill.”

There is a $10 fee to attend the meeting and registration will be taken at the door. Contact a local agribusiness for possible sponsorship to attend this meeting.

The Corn and Soybean Production Update is Feb. 5 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Ember’s Restaurant (520 10th Ave SE) in Milaca. How much you can bear to pay for seed in 2008, and whether you really need all the GMO traits are two hot items. Speakers and topics:

• Dan Martens, U of M Extension educator, and Kevin Dahlman, Dahlco Seeds, “Corn Variety Trends: Are We Stacked for Life?” and “Corn on Corn.”
• Jodi DeJong-Hughes, U of M Extension educator, “Tillage: Effects on Fuel Efficiency, Residue, and Soil Structure.”
• John Lamb, Extension soil scientist, “Corn and Soybean Fertility”, including the results of the 2007 nitrogen plot location in Isanti.

There is a $10 fee to attend the meeting and registration will be taken at the door.  Contact a local agribusiness for possible sponsorship to attend this meeting.

As the price of wheat continues to increase, so does the interest in growing it. Making wheat a profitable crop on your farm will be the focus of the Southern Wheat Tour Feb. 20 from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Kanabec County Courthouse (18 Vine St.N), Meeting Room 3, Mora.  Speakers and topics include:

• Jochum Wiersma, U of M Extension small grain specialist “Does is Really Pay to Grow Wheat in East Central Minnesota?” and “Wheat Variety Selection”  
• Doug Holen, U of M Extension educator, “Winter vs. Spring Wheat: Does it Matter?” and “Disease and Insect Management.”
• Krishona Martinson, U of M Extension educator, “Weed Control Options” and “Wheat as a Companion Crop.” 
• George Simpkins from Bayer Crop Sciences will conclude the program with a Bayer Product Update.

The Southern Wheat Tour is a program of University of Minnesota Extension and is sponsored by Bayer. There is a $5 fee to attend the meeting and registration will be taken at the door.        

Source: Krishona Martinson, Extension crops educator

URL: http:// www.extension.umn.edu/extensionnews/2008/cropproductionprograms.html  This page was updated April 18, 2008 .
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