AMES, Iowa – Farmers and crop advisers will hear about current research and crop production information from Iowa State University at the 2018 Crop Advantage Series. The series of meetings will be held at 14 Iowa locations Jan. 3-26 with ISU Extension and Outreach specialists providing updated management options and recommendations on current and future crop production issues. The meetings offer continuing educations credits for Certified Crop Advisers and pesticide safety recertification.
“There is no other program in our crop production education year where we bring this many extension specialists together at individual sites across the state like we do for Crop Advantage meetings,” said Meaghan Anderson, field agronomist with ISU Extension and Outreach.
In 2017, nearly 2,000 individuals attended the meetings, representing 97 of the 99 Iowa counties. When asked the impact of information about managing operation margins for 2016 and beyond, 44 percent of attendees estimated a value of $5-10 per acre and 24 percent estimated a value of $10-20 per acre.
“Our goal is to prepare producers to manage potential issues when they arise, or even before they arise, by sharing the most up-to-date scientific knowledge from Iowa State University,” said Anderson. “Content at the meetings is driven by county needs and production issues.”
Topics on the agenda this year include: factors for high-yielding soybeans, micronutrients and tissue testing, nitrogen management, soil health concepts, cover crops and seedling diseases, insect management thresholds, SCN resistant varieties and seed treatments. Other topics will include a crop market outlook, and weed management and dicamba use in 2018.
“The introduction of dicamba-resistant soybean varieties along with new dicamba formulations resulted in a substantial increase in off-target injury complaints this summer,” said Bob Hartzler, professor and extension weed specialist with Iowa State. “Understanding particle and vapor drift scenarios, recent product label changes, and updated university application recommendations will be covered at each Crop Advantage meeting this winter.”
For locations, times, program content and host information, visit www.cropadvantage.org.
Early registration for each location is $50; late registration made fewer than seven days prior to the meeting or on-site is $60. Registration includes lunch, printed proceedings booklet, private pesticide applicator recertification and CCA credits. Online registration and additional information is available at www.cropadvantage.org.
For answers to questions, contact ANR Program Services at 515-294-6429 or anr@iastate.edu, or contact an Iowa State University Extension and Outreach field agronomist.
2018 CAS Meeting Dates and Locations
Jan. 3 – Sheldon
Jan. 4 – Okoboji
Jan. 5 – Burlington
Jan. 9 – Storm Lake
Jan. 10 – Ames
Jan. 11 – Moravia
Jan. 12 – Mason City
Jan. 16 – Atlantic
Jan. 17 – Fort Dodge
Jan. 18 – Waterloo
Jan. 23 – Le Mars
Jan. 24 – Iowa City
Jan. 25 – Denison
Jan. 26 – Davenport
[PHOTO] Dicamba injury symptoms on non-tolerant soybeans. [source: Bob Hartzler, Iowa State University]