AMES, Iowa — Crop Advantage meetings provide a solid foundation of current, research-based crop production information to help make smart, informed decisions for the farming operation. The 2019 meetings are an opportunity for farmers and crop advisers to hear current research and crop production information from Iowa State University. Extension specialists will travel to 14 locations around Iowa from Jan. 3-30, providing updated management options and recommendations on current and future crop production issues. In addition, meetings will also offer continuing education credits for Certified Crop Advisers (CCA) and pesticide safety recertification.
“There is no other program in our crop production education year that we are able to bring this many extension specialists together to individual sites across the state like we are able to do with Crop Advantage meetings,” said Joel DeJong, field agronomist in Northwest Iowa with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.
In 2018 nearly 2,000 individuals attended the meetings across the state, representing all 99 Iowa counties and surrounding states. Eighty-four percent of attendees responding to follow-up surveys said information from Crop Advantage would likely save them between $5 and $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,” DeJong said. “Content at the meetings is driven by county needs and local production issues.”
Program topics vary by location and are selected for regional concerns and issues. Topics on the agenda this year include: Market outlook for 2019 and strategies for dealing with stress, weed management and herbicide resistance, soybean gall midge as a new pest in Iowa, nitrogen management in variable environments, and soil pH and liming strategies with low crop prices.
For locations, times and program details visit: www.cropadvantage.org.
Early registration for each location is $50; late registration made less 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 questions, contact ANR Program Services at 515-294-6429 or anr@iastate.edu, or contact DeJong at 712-546-7835 or jldejong@iastate.edu.
2019 CAS Meeting Dates and Locations:
January 3 – Sheldon
January 4 – Burlington
January 8 – Storm Lake
January 9 – Ames
January 10 – Moravia
January 11 – Mason City
January 15 – Okoboji
January 16 – Fort Dodge
January 17 – Waterloo
January 18 – Davenport
January 22 – Le Mars
January 24 – Atlantic
January 29 – Iowa City
January 30 – Denison
— Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
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