These one-day field clinics are designed to improve the agronomic management skills of industry personnel, extension and public agents, crop consultants, and producers. Specialists from Penn State and the agricultural community will provide hands-on diagnosis training in crop production, pest management, soil fertility, and soil and water conservation. Participants will be involved in a variety of topics and have ample opportunity to diagnose, solve, and discuss crop management problems and situations, and evaluate new and alternative management strategies. Practical information about interacting factors (nutrients, pests, environmental stress) that effect crop management and are unique to Northeastern agriculture can be discussed. In addition to gaining practical agronomic knowledge, CCA, nutrient management, and pesticide applicator license credits can be obtained. (There will be a total of 5 CCA credits that can be acquired in CM, PM, and SW.)
Presentations
This year’s clinic will be similar to past programs and will focus on various topics relating to crop and soil management. As always, there will be time for discussion and hands-on participation. The program is designed to allow participants to attend all of the sessions and will include:
- Soil Genesis/Inherent Properties Related to Crop Production and Soil Management (SW)
Understanding the genesis of the soils on a farm provides important knowledge that affects the management of farm fields. This session covers soils forming processes and the techniques used to understand how soil forms. We will then apply this knowledge to crop management.
Certified Crop Adviser CEUs: 1.0 SW
Instructors: Dr. Patrick Drohan and Don Rill - Soil Quality and Effects of Cover Crop Roots
Crop roots can stimulate soil aggregation as well as contribute to development of macro-pores. Root architecture plays an important role as well as when active root growth takes place. A new concept we use in no-till systems development is to design crop rotations that have active root growth throughout the year. In this session we will explore root systems of different crops and cover crops and how this knowledge can be used to develop crop rotations that improve soil quality.
Certified Crop Adviser CEUs: 1.0 SW
Instructor: Dr. Sjoerd Duiker - Corn and Soybean Disease Update
With increased prices of corn and soybeans, fungicide applications are more affordable—but are they necessary? This topic and other current issues with corn and soybean disease management will be discussed at this station.
Certified Crop Adviser CEUs: 1.0 PM
Instructors: Dr. Paul Pierce (Ohio State) and Justin Dillon - Pest Management Using Seed Traits and Seed Treatments
This session will feature hands-on training on how to assess the effectiveness of pest-management traits in corn. Participants will wash roots from corn plots with different treatments, looking for signs of rootworm feeding. In addition, a top-growth assessment will be made to evaluate damage from European corn borer. Based on observations during these assessment, participants will determine which plots utilized hybrid traits versus conventional hybrids. A discussion on proper use and management of hybrid traits will be held after the interactive session.
Certified Crop Adviser CEUs: 0.5 PM/0.5 CM
Instructors: Del Voight and Dr. John Tooker - Herbicide Mode of Action and Resistant Weeds
Understanding herbicide mode of action is important when planning resistance management programs. At this station we will demonstrate and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of different herbicide modes of action and how to best choose herbicides in different action groups so mixtures or rotations of active ingredients can be planned to better manage weeds and reduce the potential for resistant species. Participants will have opportunity to test their herbicide symptomology skills.
Certified Crop Adviser CEUs: 1.0 PM
Instructors: Dr.Bill Curran and Dwight Lingenfelter
Registration
The registration fee of $60.00/person covers lunch, refreshments, and support materials. (Late registration fee is $80 for reservations made after July 16)
Please register for the clinic on-line or via mail or FAX (814) 865-7050 by completing the form. Please register by July 16 so that we can determine our material and luncheon needs.
Credit card payments will be accepted!