Purdue News
Purdue News
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December 29, 2003 Purdue workshops address preseason buzz on crop pestsWEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Spring planting is only months away. So, too, are the nuisances that make farming a challenge every year. To prepare farmers and agribusiness professionals for nature's onslaught, Purdue University is hosting its annual Crop Management Workshops. The daylong seminars will take place at five Indiana locations from Jan. 26-30. The Purdue Pest Management Program sponsors the workshop series in cooperation with the university's departments of Botany and Plant Pathology and Entomology. The workshops examine crop pests, control methods and pesticide use issues for the coming season, said John Obermeyer, a Purdue Extension entomologist and workshop coordinator. "The pest management disciplines will be covered, including insects, diseases and weeds," Obermeyer said. "The workshops will address such issues as the western corn rootworm variant and soybean aphid, which became concerns last year. In the disease spectrum, we'll cover such things as soybean rust and the application of fungicides. In weeds, we'll discuss new herbicides, glyphosate-resistant weeds and stalk-boring insects that have interfered with herbicide translocation and weed control." Speakers include Purdue Extension and state pesticide specialists. The speakers and their topics are: • Obermeyer – "Insect Management Decisions 2004" and "Update on Educator Rootworm Trapping Program." • Joe Becovitz, program specialist, Office of the Indiana State Chemist – "Indiana Pesticide Rules and Regulations." • Corey Gerber, director, Purdue Diagnostic Training and Research Center – "Infield Diagnostic Approaches Critical for IPM Decisions." • Greg Shaner and Andreas Westphal, Purdue Extension plant pathologists – "2003 Diseases, and the Potential for Increased Inputs in 2004." • Bill Johnson, Purdue Extension weed specialist – "Hot Topics in Integrated Weed Management." • Bob Nielsen, Purdue Extension corn specialist – "A Corny Diary from 2003." • Fred Whitford, coordinator, Purdue Pesticide Programs – "Security Threats to the Ag Retail Facility: Tweekers, Thieves, and Terrorists." "The workshops are intended for all agribusiness people in Indiana and surrounding states," Obermeyer said. "We find that many attendees are those involved in selling inputs to producers, because not only do they gain knowledge of the pest management disciplines, but also they're able to gather points for their commercial pesticide applicators licenses. We also have producers in attendance. Producers are welcome and should consider attending for the updates on pesticides and agronomic issues." Workshops take place 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EST on the following dates and locations: • Jan. 26, Rochester – Fulton County Fairgrounds, one mile east of U.S. 31 on Third Street. • Jan. 27, Auburn – Kruse Auction Park, along Interstate 69 at Exit 126. • Jan. 28, New Castle – Smith Building at Memorial Park, just north of state highways 3 and 38. • Jan. 29, Monroe County – Fourwinds Resort on Lake Monroe, east of the Harrodsburg exit off Indiana 37. • Jan. 30, West Lafayette – University Inn and Conference Center, U.S. 52 and Cumberland Road. Registration is $60 per person and includes lunch, workshop proceedings and a copy of the Purdue Corn and Soybean CD Field Guide. Because seating is limited, advance registration is recommended. Registration for the West Lafayette workshop is closed. A workshop brochure with registration form can be downloaded online. Questions regarding registration should be directed to Paul Horngren, of Purdue University's Conference Division, at (765) 494-7219, pghorngren@purdue.edu. For additional information about workshop sessions, contact Obermeyer at (765) 494-4563, obe@purdue.edu. Certified commercial applicators attending a workshop are eligible for up to five continuing certification hours. Certified Crop Advisors are eligible for seven continuing education credits. Writer: Steve Leer, (765) 494-8415, sleer@purdue.edu Source: John Obermeyer, (765) 494-4563, obe@purdue.edu Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722; Beth Forbes, bforbes@aes.purdue.edu Related Web sites:
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