Upcoming Webinars to Help Row Crop Growers Manage Operating Costs in Tough Economic Climate

By Tracy Courage

With high input costs and low commodity prices, the 2025 growing season left many row crop growers in the red. Amid a tough economic climate, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is offering two online webinars to discuss topics that could help them manage operating costs for the upcoming crop year.

The free webinars are planned for Oct. 28 and Nov. 4 via Zoom, beginning at 9 a.m. both days.

“Eleven of our Division of Agriculture extension specialists are coming together to offer this two-part webinar series to discuss topics that could help with operating costs for this upcoming crop year,” said Shane Gadberry, assistant vice president for agriculture and natural resources with the Division of Agriculture. “This series covers topics including fall herbicide applications, using soil moisture sensors for irrigation management, pest control, seeding rates, and farm financial decision aids.”

Oct. 28 — Managing Row Crop Operating Expenses: Part 1

Register: https://bit.ly/crop-mgmt1

Topics include weed management, nematode management and cost-effective crop management decisions in major crops. Speakers from the Cooperative Extension Service include:

• Tom Barber — extension weed specialist
• Travis Faske — extension plant pathologist 
• Jeremy Ross — extension soybean agronomist
• Jason Kelley — extension feed grains and wheat agronomist
• Zachary Treadway — extension cotton and peanut agronomist
• Jarrod Hardke — extension rice agronomist