The 2018 growing season has been a challenge for producers in Northern IL to say the least! A cold, wet spring prevented us from getting the crop in the ground, and extensive late-season rainfall delayed us in getting it out despite the record-breaking yield predictions for the corn and soybean crop. Despite the fantastic growing conditions experienced throughout most of crop development, things were far from perfect this year; a wide array of issues popped up throughout the growing season to cause problems for producers including: insect pests, foliar disease, stalk rot, ear rot, and lodging. However, with problems come solutions and it is for that reason the University of Illinois Extension is pleased to announce that the first Northwest Illinois Agronomy Summit will be held at the Highland Community College Student Conference Center, 2998 W. Pearl City Rd, Freeport, IL on January 15th, 2019 from 8:30a.m.- 4:00p.m., with registration beginning at 8 a.m.

“Prolonged periods of excessive moisture caused a wide-variety of problems for producers in Northwest Illinois. Producers had to deal with nutrient deficiencies as well as a variety insect pests and disease issues in both corn and soybean. It feels like we had a little bit of everything this year,” Commercial Agriculture Educator Phillip Alberti said. Importantly, 2018 also saw a dramatic increase in incidence and severity of Tar Spot across the state and this has led to many questions about a disease we are unfamiliar with; which is why we are excited to bring Dr. Nathan Kleczewski from the University of Illinois to teach us more about this disease, what research is being done, and how producers may be able to combat it.

The theme for this year’s conference is Updates in Nutrient and Pest Management. For Certified Crop Advisors, five CEU’s will be available, including the categories of nutrient and pest management.