Purdue meetings answer nagging soybean rust questions

December 28, 2004

Purdue meetings answer nagging soybean rust questions

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Indiana soybean farmers have heard about, but never experienced, soybean rust. Purdue University Extension specialists and educators hope to keep it that way through a series of informational meetings in early 2005.

Eighteen meetings are scheduled between Jan. 6 and March 4, with additional meetings possible, said Shawn Conley, Purdue Extension soybean specialist.

The meetings will cover the basics on soybean rust and address common questions farmers have regarding the fungal disease, which has caused significant crop losses in South America, Asia and Africa. Soybean rust was first detected in the continental United States in November.

"Purdue University has put together several soybean rust meetings across the state of Indiana," Conley said. "The goal of these meetings is to keep growers in Indiana updated on the most recent information regarding soybean rust.

"We'll provide an all-inclusive program that goes into field scouting, pest identification and control measures. We'll also address agronomic questions we've been receiving from growers across the state, such as 'Should I increase my row spacing to allow more fungicide through?' 'Should I cut my seeding rate?' 'Should I alter the maturity date on my soybeans?' and 'Should I plant a little earlier to avoid this?'"

The meetings are free, except for a Jan. 7 program that includes a buffet lunch. Pesticide Applicator Recertification Program (PARP) credit is available at several meetings for a $10 fee.

The Indiana Soybean Board and Indiana Soybean Growers Association will sponsor six meetings. During those meetings, attendees will learn how to develop a soybean rust plan for their farm and will receive the American Soybean Association Soybean Rust Guide.

The meeting schedule and contact persons include:

• Jan. 6, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Beef House Restaurant, near Covington - Contact: Susan Haller, (317) 347-3620, shaller@indianasoybean.com.

• Jan. 7, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., The Pines Restaurant, Seymour - Contact: Susan Haller, (317) 347-3620, shaller@indianasoybean.com.

• Jan. 7, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Roger's Harvest House Restaurant, Hamilton - Contact: Tom Eickholtz, (260) 668-1000 ext. 1400, eickholt@purdue.edu.

• Jan. 13, 9-11:25 a.m., Sullivan County Fairgrounds, Sullivan - Contact: Larry Watson, (812) 268-4332, lwatson1@purdue.edu.

• Jan. 13, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Omni Hotel North, Indianapolis - Contact: Susan Haller, (317) 347-3620, shaller@indianasoybean.com.

• Jan. 14, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Quality Inn, Vincennes - Contact: Susan Haller, (317) 347-3620, shaller@indianasoybean.com.

• Jan. 17, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Washington Center Marriott, Fort Wayne - Contact: Susan Haller, (317) 347-3620, shaller@indianasoybean.com.

• Jan. 20, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Vanderburgh County 4-H Center Activities Building, Evansville - Contact: Jon Neufelder, (812) 838-1331, neufelde@purdue.edu.

• Jan. 21, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Knights of Columbus Hall, Winamac (tentative location) - Contact: Susan Haller, (317) 347-3620, shaller@indianasoybean.com.

• Feb. 1, 9-11:30 a.m., Boone County Fairgrounds, Lebanon - Contact: Doug Akers, (765) 482-0750, dakers@purdue.edu.

• Feb. 2, 1-3 p.m., Clinton County Fairgrounds, Frankfort - Contact: Curt Emanuel, (765) 659-6380 or (765) 296-3511, cemanuel@purdue.edu.

• Feb. 8, 8:30-11:30 a.m., Grant County Fairgrounds, Marion - Contact: John Woodmansee, (765) 668-8871 ext. 413, jwoodman@purdue.edu.

• Feb. 10, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Martinsville Senior Center, Martinsville - Chris Parker, (765) 342-1010, cparker@purdue.edu.

• Feb. 28, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., West Lafayette (location to be announced) -Contact: Corey Gerber, (765) 496-3755, cgerber@purdue.edu.

• March 1, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Southeast-Purdue Agricultural Center, Butlerville - Contact: Corey Gerber, (765) 496-3755, cgerber@purdue.edu.

• March 1, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Northeast-Purdue Agricultural Center, Columbia City - Contact: Corey Gerber, (765) 496-3755, cgerber@purdue.edu.

• March 2, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Alexandria (location to be announced) - Contact: Corey Gerber, (765) 496-3755, cgerber@purdue.edu.

• March 4, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Southwest-Purdue Agricultural Center, Vincennes - Contact: Corey Gerber, (765) 496-3755, cgerber@purdue.edu.

For additional information on individual meetings and an updated schedule, log onto the meeting Web page.

Writer: Steve Leer, (765) 494-8415, sleer@purdue.edu

Source: Shawn Conley, (765) 494-0895, conleysp@purdue.edu

Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722; Beth Forbes, forbes@purdue.edu
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