UNL Extension crop management winter programs wrap up in March

Nebraska

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension's annual Crop Management Winter Programs in March offer in-depth information from university specialists and private industry representatives.

Classes are from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., unless otherwise noted, at locations across the state. Registration begins one-half hour before training. Continuing education credits for the Certified Crop Advisor program are available.

Those who register one week in advance of programs will receive a discount.

Fees include lunch (unless otherwise noted), refreshment breaks and workshop materials. Participants can attend one or both sessions.

Program titles, skill level, date, location, discount cost/regular cost and topics include:

--Pesticide Application Technology: March 7 and 8, UNL ARDC, near Mead, $200/$250. Topics include: In-depth understanding of the many factors involved with applying pesticides, pesticide application methods, deposition requirements for various pesticides, preparing spray mixtures, applying dry and wet formulations and applications in different environments, better understand why two people can apply the same pesticide yet one is more successful in controlling the pests and hands-on experience from calibrations to nozzle selection to mixing of spray solutions. This workshop will feature a wide array of equipment including traditional agriculture, as well as professional turf and landscape equipment. Maximum of 30 participants. College credit available for this course.

--Spatial Data Management (Prescription Maps): March 13, L.W. Chase Hall, UNL East Campus, $70/$80. Topics include: Major sources of spatial data for site-specific crop management, identifying different approaches in management of spatial variability of growing conditions, combining various data sources in a farm-level GIS package (SMS Advanced), most popular data mining approaches, and how to develop prescription maps for variable rate application of agricultural inputs. This advanced level course is intended for those who have some previous experience with precision agriculture.

--Managing Corn for High Yield Using Hybrid-Maize Software: Hands-on Workshop, March 14, Lifelong Learning Center, Norfolk, and March 17, UNL East Campus, Lincoln. Participants can attend for a full day or half day. Morning session is for first-time Hybrid-Maize users. Topics include: High-yield agriculture for increased profit and conservation of natural resources, Hybrid-Maize software simulation model as a tool for improving crop management decisions, hands-on demonstration of Hybrid-Maize as a tool for optimizing planting date and hybrid maturity, and hands-on analysis of rain-fed yield potential and irrigation scheduling.

The afternoon session is for participants who are already familiar with using this software and seek additional training. This session is also appropriate for those who attended the morning session. This hands-on session includes acquisition of climate data and use of the new "Weather-Aide" tool for Hybrid-Maize; real-time crop simulation to monitor crop growth status, yield potential probabilities, and in-season management options; and diagnosis of previous seasons yield constraints and potential future management improvements.

All participants must either already have purchased the Hybrid-Maize software, or they can purchase it at the workshop for approximately $35 plus tax. Fee for this workshop is $45 for a half-day session or $80 for the full day. Lunch is included in the full-day session, but not in the half-day sessions. Maximum of 25 participants at each location. Computer rental available.

--Crop Genetic Engineering - Mar. 14-15, UNL East Campus, Lincoln, $250/$300. Genetic engineering has been one of the most rapidly integrated and intensively scrutinized technologies applied to crop production in the United States. The impact of transgenic crops on our nation's food system requires producers, agribusiness professionals, educators and current students to have a working knowledge of the genetic engineering process and how these crops are different from their conventional counterparts. This workshop will focus on the steps required to create a biotech crop, as well as methods in testing for the presence of a GMO in seed and food samples. College credit available for this course. College credit is available for this course.

--Crop Scout Training for Pest Managers: March 20, UNL ARDC, near Mead, $70/$80. Topics include growth staging, recognizing fertilizer deficiencies, major pest identification, understanding insect economic thresholds, handling soybean cyst nematode, and weed and disease identification and management.

For more information or to register for these Crop Management Winter Programs, visit the ARDC website at http://ardc.unl.edu/training.htm, e-mail kglewen1@unl.edu, or call 402-624-8000.

Date: 2/22/06