By George Silva
The Michigan State University Extension field crops team, along with Eaton County MSU Extension, will host the 2016 Integrated Crop and Pest Management Update on Dec. 20, 2016, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the MSU Pavilion for Agriculture and Livestock Education (4301 Farm Lane, East Lansing, MI 48824). The audiences include agribusiness representatives, retail sales and service professionals, private crop consultants and farmers. Out-of-state participants are invited to attend.
Nine reasons for attending this event are as follows:
- Program participants will receive the most recent MSU Extension recommendations for 2017 potential weed, insect and disease problems, fertilizer practices and emerging issues. These recommendations are based on field research conducted by MSU specialists.
- This program is offered in a timely fashion so that businesses and farmers can make their year-end bulk purchasing decisions based on potential demand and availability. The timing of bulk purchases can have tax implications.
- This event will provide a jumpstart for the 2017 season. The field crop industry is facing production and marketing challenges associated with climate changes, volatile commodity prices, rising input costs, rapidly evolving technologies and potential new pests.
- This event offers an excellent opportunity to network with MSU crop specialists and local Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) technicians.
- Michigan commodity check-off representatives will highlight new priorities and industry challenges for corn, soybean and wheat.
- Participants will receive a copy of the new MSU Extension bulletin E434, “2017 Weed Control Guide for Field Crops.”
- Results from the 2016 soybean on-farm trials will be discussed.
- The agenda includes a review of the 2016 growing season in the context of drought and local weather-based challenges.
- Participants will receive six MDARD credits (Com. Core, Priv. Core, 1A), 6.5 CCA credits and MAEAP phase 1 credit for this session.