June 8, 2009

Field day offers tips for farmers, applicators, crop consultants

The field day will be June 24 at the Northeast-Purdue Agricultural Center in Columbia City, Ind.

"By attending the field day, commercial and private applicators will have a chance to earn category 1 and registered technician credits, along with private applicator credits. Crop adviser credits will also be available. Participants will learn about different aspects of application from three of the finest universities,” said Ed Farris, Purdue University Extension educator in Huntington County.

The five one-hour sessions include:

* Weed competition in corn and the solutions available. Bill Johnson, Purdue Extension weed specialist, will discuss the effects of glyphosate application for different corn stages and how it relates to weed pressure, as well as provide solutions to these challenges.

* The importance of utilizing seed treatment and stand improvement of soybeans will be discussed by Jim Beuerlein, OSU Extension crop physiologist and crop specialist. Interaction with fungicide, row spacing, and population rate also will be introduced.

* Residual herbicides in no-till cropping systems and research done with Liberty Link soybeans will be explained by Christy Sprague, MSU Extension weed specialist.

* The importance of scouting and control of the soybean aphid and western bean cutworm will be highlighted by Chris DiFonzo, MSU Extension entomologist.

* Environmental issues involving chemical applications and the impact on water systems will be discussed by Fred Whitford, Purdue Pesticide Program coordinator.

Farris will introduce a new Web site (https://www.driftwatch.org) designed to facilitate communication between pesticide applicators and specialty crop growers to help ensure sensitive area are protected while encouraging appropriate pesticide applications.

Registration is due by June 19 to the Allen County Extension Office and is available online at https://www.extension.purdue.edu/anr/documents/2009/Tri-StateFlyer09.pdf. Registration is $40 per participant. Category 1 and private applicator credit will be an additional $10 per participant. For more information on registration contact Farris at 260-358-4826, emfarris@purdue.edu

The Northeast-Purdue Agricultural Center is located at County Road 4821 East 400 South near Columbia City.

Writer: Sayde Rayburn, 765-494-8402, srayburn@purdue.edu

Source: Ed Farris, 260-358-4826, emfarris@purdue.edu

Ag Communications: (765) 494-8415;
Steve Leer, sleer@purdue.edu
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