LE MARS, Iowa — The Annual Crop Advantage meeting will be held Jan. 29 at the Convention Center in Le Mars from 9:30 a.m. to 4:20 p.m. It will give producers a solid foundation of current research-based crop production information to help make smart, informed decisions for their farming operation.
The Crop Advantage meetings are held statewide and serve as an opportunity for farmers and crop advisers to hear current research and crop production information from Iowa State University. Extension specialists will provide updated management options, as well as recommendations on current and future crop production issues.
In 2019, over 2,000 individuals attended one of the meetings across the state, representing all 99 Iowa counties and surrounding states. Some 84 percent of attendees said information from the Crop Advantage Series 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,” said Joel DeJong, Northwest Iowa Field Agronomist with ISU Extension and Outreach. “Content at the meetings is driven by county needs and local production issues.”
According to DeJong, the keynote presentations this year will be addressed by Iowa State Climatologist Justin Glisan presenting “Iowa Weather: Climatological Trends and Extreme Behavior,” and ISU Extension Economist Wendong Zhang, speaking on “China as an Indispensable Trading Partner with U.S. Agriculture.”
Additional workshop topics include presentations on grain storage, soil fertility, insect and weed management, and even a session on cannabis production in Iowa. Nine workshops are available from which attendees can choose to attend three. Visit www.cropadvantage.org for a full listing of topics. The meeting will also offer continuing education credits for Certified Crop Advisers (CCA) and pesticide applicator recertification.
For full program details and to register online, visit www.cropadvantage.org. Early registration for each location is $50; late registration made after midnight on Jan. 22 is $60. Registration includes lunch, printed proceedings booklet, private pesticide applicator recertification and CCA credits.
Questions can be directed to Joel DeJong at 712-546-7835.
— Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
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