After a year hiatus, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will again offer the Crop Advantage Series to producers at 14 locations across Iowa during January 2022, starting with Sheldon on Jan. 4.
At these conferences, ISU Extension and Outreach specialists and field agronomists present the latest crop production research and information for the upcoming growing seasons to producers, agronomists, and industry leaders.
“There is no other program during the year when this many extension specialists present information at one location as occurs at Crop Advantage meetings,” said Joel DeJong, field agronomist with ISU Extension and Outreach in Northwest Iowa. “In 2020, nearly 2,000 individuals attended one of 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.”
Each Crop Advantage Series location has a slightly different agenda, with sessions held January 4 in Sheldon, January 5 in Storm Lake, January 11 in Okoboji, January 26 in Le Mars, and Jan. 27 in Denison. The agenda generally features two morning keynote speakers and a customizable afternoon schedule, but agendas do vary.
For example, DeJong said that the Sheldon, Storm Lake, Okoboji and Le Mars location will feature two morning keynote speakers. Extension Entomologist Erin Hodgson will begin the day at 10:00 am with “Management Strategies for Corn Rootworm.” Dr. Chad Hart, ISU Ag Economist, will follow with a session titled “2022 Crop Market Outlook.” After lunch, three 50-minute time periods where attendees can choose from three topics offered during each period, allows attendees to create their own educational agenda during the meeting. Topics include nutrient input decisions, weed management for 2022, gall midge and fall armyworm management, how cover crops and row spacing alter weed competition, carbon markets, on-farm research results and more.
“Every farm situation is unique, and that is why a menu of strategies is available for producers to choose from as they look to control costs, maintain or enhance productivity and search for profitability,” DeJong said.
All Crop Advantage Series meetings are approved for Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) continuing education credits, and every location offers the opportunity for private pesticide applicators to receive continuing education credits. To qualify for the pesticide continuing education, an individual must attend all day and add the session offered for this at the end of the day. The cost for the CCA credit or the pesticide continuing education is built into the registration cost of the conference.
Early registration for each location is $60; late registration made less than seven days prior to the meeting or on-site is $75. Registration also includes lunch and printed proceedings. Online registration and additional information are available at http://www.cropadvantage.org/ or from your local ISU Extension and Outreach office. DeJong reminds attendees that agendas will vary by site, so it is important to check out those details at the website above.
For more information, contact Joel DeJong at 712-546-7835 or Gentry Sorenson, field agronomist with ISU Extension and Outreach in North Central Iowa, at 515-295-2469.
