BALLSTON SPA, N.Y. — Cornell Cooperative Extension is holding workshops to educate farmers about two new serious pests that are now in our region – tall waterhemp and the soybean cyst nematode — on July 27th at 1 pm in Ballston Spa (info and registration at https://tinyurl.com/6h4uuyv9) and at 6 pm in Copake (info and registration at https://tinyurl.com/cwcvtcyk). Two NYSDEC pesticide applicator credits can be earned.
Dr. Lynn Sosnoski (Cornell Univ.) will bring potted plants so farmers can learn how to identify tall waterhemp as well as it other pigweed relatives. They will also learn its biology and management. There will be a discussion of other difficult-to-control weeds. Dr. Jaime Cummings (Syngenta) will discuss the biology and management of the soybean cyst nematode, the most costly soybean pest in the United States.
These pests have been found in the Hudson Valley and several central New York counties in recent years. They are very difficult to control, so CCE and Cornell University are making a big effort to reach farmers this year with the necessary education. There is no charge to attend the workshops, but pre-registration is required.
All applicable covid-19 precautions will be followed. To register and for more information, go to the websites provided or contact the Capital Area Agriculture and Horticulture Program for the Copake meeting (cce-caahp@cornell.edu, adg12@cornell.edu, 518-765-3518) or contact the Central NY Dairy, Field Crops, Livestock Program for the Ballston Spa meeting (cnydlfc@cornell.edu, eas56@cornell.edu, 315-866-7920).
–Erik Smith, Field Crops Specialist
for Cornell Cooperative Extension
Central New York Dairy, Livestock and Field Crops
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