January 21, 2005

Wheat, chemical theft head Purdue crop workshop playbill

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Two farm issues that often play second fiddle to other agricultural concerns will receive star treatment during Purdue University's 2005 Crop Management Workshops.

The daylong workshops take place Jan. 24-28 at five locations across Indiana. The annual seminar series provides farmers and agribusiness people with an early look at what the upcoming crop season might hold.

Among this year's sessions are presentations on wheat and farm chemical theft, said John Obermeyer, Purdue Extension entomologist and workshop coordinator.

"One session that we've added, which is a bit unique to this year's workshops, is that our new Purdue Extension agronomist Shawn Conley will address pest management issues in wheat," Obermeyer said. "Wheat is a very important crop in Indiana but, oftentimes, is not well covered because of the emphasis placed on corn and soybeans.

"Also, Fred Whitford, coordinator of Purdue Pesticide Programs, will address ways to prevent or reduce theft on the farm, especially of ammonia used in the manufacture of methamphetamine. Our security of pesticide and fertilizer facilities throughout the state is often a neglected issue."

As is the case every year, the workshops will delve into diseases and insects that could present challenges in the crop season ahead.

"Soybean rust is going to be addressed. There's no question about that," Obermeyer said. "There's a heightened interest in this potential threat to Indiana. And, of course, we'll cover insect issues - what has happened in the past and what we might expect for the 2005 season - as well as weeds and herbicide control issues."

Obermeyer will lead the session on insects, while Bill Johnson, Purdue Extension weed specialist, will present the weed management update.

Other workshop sessions and speakers include:

• "Fifty Ways to Keep the State Chemist Happy" - Joe Becovitz, program specialist, Office of the Indiana State Chemist.

• "Epidemics Above and Below in 2004: What Will Happen in 2005?" - Greg Shaner and Andreas Westphal, Purdue Extension plant pathologists.

• "Exploring the World of Crop Diagnostics" - Bob Nielsen, Purdue Extension corn specialist.

The workshops run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. EST on the following dates and locations:

• Jan. 24 - Elkhart County Fairgrounds Community Center, County Road 34, Goshen.

• Jan. 25 - Heir's City Park, Heritage Hall, East Taylor Street, Huntington.

• Jan. 26 - Pines, Evergreen Room, U.S. 31 near U.S. 50, Seymour.

• Jan. 27 - Ferdinand Community Center, 18th Street, Ferdinand.

• Jan. 28 - Pine View Resort, Northwest Shafer Drive, Monticello.

Commercial applicators and Certified Crop Advisers who attend are eligible for continuing certification hours and continuing education credits, respectively.

Workshop registration is $60 per person, which includes lunch and a copy of the 2005 Purdue Corn and Soybean Field Guide. To register, contact Paul Horngren of Purdue's Conference Division at (765) 494-7219, pghorngren@purdue.edu. To register online, log on, click on "Conferences" and then the workshop you wish to attend.

Seating is limited.

For more information about workshop sessions, contact Obermeyer at (765) 494-4563, obe@purdue.edu.

Writer: Steve Leer, (765) 494-8415, sleer@purdue.edu

Source: John Obermeyer, (765) 494-4563, obe@purdue.edu

Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722; Beth Forbes, forbes@purdue.edu
Agriculture News Page

Related Web site:
Purdue Department of Entomology

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