Free webinars on field crop production and pest management in 2015 will offer participants condensed highlights from winter MSU Extension programs.
Field crop producers and agribusiness professionals who are unable to attend Michigan State University Extension’s traditional winter programs have no need to worry. On Monday evenings from Feb. 23 through March 30, MSU Extension will offer the 2015 Field Crops Webinar Series addressing key production points for the coming growing season in a condensed virtual format. These live webinar programs will run from 7-8 p.m. EST and can be viewed independently online at no cost over a high-speed Internet connection. One MDARD Pesticide Recertification Credit will be available through each event for application to the Private Core, Commercial Core or Field Crops categories.
The Feb. 23 program will be presented by MSU Extension educators Ashley McFarland and Rob Sirrine, focusing on production of malting barley and hops to meet growing demand from Michigan’s craft brewers. On March 2, MSU field crops pathologist Martin Chilvers will discuss an integrated approach to management of white mold, a disease that frequently affects the state’s soybean and dry bean crops. The question of how to maximize nitrogen fertilizer efficiency in corn and wheat systems will be addressed by MSU soil fertility specialist Kurt Steinke on March 9.
The evening of Monday, March 16, MSU Extension educator Fred Springborn and Greg Varner of the Michigan Bean Commission will present their recent research findings and recommendations regarding dry bean insect and disease management. Unique weed management challenges facing growers in 2015, such as new herbicide tolerance traits and herbicide resistance, will be the focus of the presentation by MSU weed control specialist Christy Sprague on March 23. The final webinar of our 2015 series will occur March 30 and provide an update on MSU corn stover harvest and utilization research with a presentation by MSU Extension bioenergy educator Dennis Pennington.
The 2015 MSU Extension Field Crops Webinar Series represents a unique opportunity to access the expertise of MSU’s field crop specialists from the comfort of your own home or office. To register for one or more webinar program in the series, visit the Field Crops Webinar Series Event page. Once registered, participants will receive an email containing a link to connect to the webinars.
For additional information or assistance, contact James DeDecker at 989-734-2168 or dedecke5@msu.edu. Call 989-734-2168 by Feb. 16 to request accommodations for persons with disabilities. Requests received after this date will be fulfilled when possible.
Source:msu.edu