Purdue News
Purdue News
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November 11, 2002 Harvest is done, now it's time to think about springWEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue University and the University of Illinois are offering farmers a chance to start planning for next year's crop through a program sponsored by the Bi-State Ag Group. The Crop Management Outlook Program is set for Dec. 3 at the Beef House Banquet Hall near Covington, Ind. Registration for the event closes Nov. 22. Mark Spelbring, Purdue Cooperative Extension Service educator in Parke County, said the program, which addresses the production and marketing sides of agriculture, is a useful tool for farmers who want to get a head start on next year. "The program is an end of the season review of lessons learned and a look forward to the things farmers will need to make decisions about the coming season," Spelbring said. Chris Hurt, a Purdue agricultural economist, will discuss 2003 price prospects and marketing strategies for corn, soybeans and wheat. He'll also touch on planting decisions for 2003 and price patterns for the 2002 crop. Bob Nielsen, a Purdue agronomy specialist, will clear up the confusion about seed varieties in his talk about choosing hybrids wisely. Two other Purdue experts also are also on the meeting agenda. Tom Bauman, an Extension specialist in weed science, will talk about weed issues, and Fred Whitford, coordinator of Purdue Pesticide Programs, will discuss pesticide recordkeeping. "Keeping (pesticide) records on the farm is pretty important for all kinds of reasons," Whitford said. The records help farmers keep track of how well pesticides work and help in designing a pesticide program for the next year. Indiana law requires farmers to keep records of restricted-use chemicals. Whitford will talk about identifying restricted-use chemicals and what pesticide records farmers should have on hand. In addition to the Purdue presentations, Robert Hoeft, a soil fertility specialist with Illinois Extension, will talk about maximizing fertilizer value, and Kevin Steffey, an Illinois Extension entomologist, will highlight insect management concerns for 2003. To register for the crop management outlook program, call the Purdue Extension office in Parke County at (765) 569-3176 or the Purdue Extension office in Vermillion County at (800) 340-8155. Registration is $15 and includes lunch. Certified crop advisers, private applicators and commercial 1A applicators interested in obtaining continuing education credits will have an additional $10 fee and must contact their local Extension office prior to Nov. 22 to register for the credits. Writer: Kay Hostetler, (765) 494-6682, kjh@purdue.edu Sources: Mark Spelbring, (765) 569-3176, mark.spelbring@ces.purdue.edu Fred Whitford, (765) 494-4272, fwhitford@purdue.edu Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722; Beth Forbes, bforbes@aes.purdue.edu; https://www.agriculture.purdue.edu/AgComm/public/agnews/ Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
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