Field Crops Virtual Breakfast Series Continues With Cercospora Leaf Spot Management in Sugarbeets

By Phil Kaatz

Cercospora leaf spot continues to be the most damaging foliar disease of sugarbeets. Leaf spot pressure annually impacts sugarbeet crops in Michigan. Early detection and timely management practices can help reduce potential yield loss. Join Jaime Willbur, Michigan State University potato and sugarbeet pathologist, during the Michigan State University Extension Field Crops Virtual Breakfast Series on June 20, 2024. Willbur will discuss the current Cercospora leaf spot risk outlook, fungicide recommendations and other management considerations for 2024.

Following the discussion about leaf spot risks, Jeff Andresen, Michigan State University climatologist, will provide an extended weather outlook and prediction for Michigan field crops producers.

The Michigan State University Extension Field Crops Virtual Breakfast Series is live via Zoom every Thursday morning from 7 – 8 a.m., March 21 through Sept. 19. Topics are flexible and loosely established at the beginning of the season and can change to address rapidly changing concerns such as flooding and drought. Each year brings different challenges, and this series is designed to meet the needs of our field crop producers no matter what the conditions may dictate.

Each week, restricted-use pesticide recertification (RUP) credits and certified crop advisor (CCA) continuing education unit credits will also be available. To receive recertification credits, participants must be on the live Zoom session.

After RUP and CCA credit information, attendees can leave or stay on for a less formal Q&A discussion with farmers, educators and specialists that lasts until 8 a.m. In addition to the scheduled speaker for the day, other MSU Extension campus specialists and educators with field crops responsibility are frequently part of the call and are available to answer any question related to relevant circumstances happening in their area of expertise.

Participating is easy and free! Participants must sign up to receive an email notification with instructions for joining the Virtual Breakfast Series. You only need to do this once to receive the Zoom link and call-in phone number in the weekly email reminders that are sent every Wednesday and Thursday. Participants receiving emails can opt in or out at any time.