2024 Western Crop and Pest Management School set for March 12-13 in Minot

North Dakota State University Extension has set the 2024 Western Crop and Pest Management School for March 12-13 at the Sleep Inn Hotel in Minot, North Dakota.

Topics will focus on pest identification, pest control and management, and the emerging concerns about weeds, crop diseases, and insect infestations that farmers and ag professionals faced during the past growing season.

Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. CDT time on March 12, with the session beginning at 8:20 a.m.

“Tuesday morning will have excellent speakers talk about new weed control research results, herbicide resistance updates, and pesticide application considerations,” says Charlie Lim,  Extension weed specialist at the Williston Research Extension Center. “This will be followed by an “all about weeds” discussion with a panel of experts with opportunities for participants to ask questions about current weed situations and challenges, viable weed control options, and weed management strategies for 2024.”

Lunch will be provided at noon.

The March 12 afternoon program will include three rotating concurrent sessions with hands-on training on weed identification, crop injury and herbicide modes of action symptoms and crop disease diagnosis.

“Live plant specimens will be showcased at each training session,” adds Lim. “After the training sessions, another excellent speaker will provide very important updates about pesticide use and the new challenges producers face with regard to endangered species protection.”

The March 13 morning session will feature new research results and updates in agronomy, and crop disease and insect pest management. Topics include phytophthora root rot in soybean, sclerotinia head rot of sunflower and foliar diseases of pulse crops, small grain variety selection updates, durum wheat intensive management, wheat stem sawfly and insect pests of small grains, and flea beetle management in canola.

The event will conclude shortly before noon on March 13.

A total of 9.5 continuing education units will be offered to certified crop advisors who attend the event.

The cost to attend is $100. College students will receive a discounted rate of $75. The deadline to register is March 1, or when the school is full.