Purdue Extension will host a program to provide information about managing pests in field crops for farmers and those who work with farmers. The Field Crops Pest Management Program will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 3 from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. CST (9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. EST) at the Starke County Public Library located at 152 W. Culver Road in Knox, IN.
Topics will include a discussion of the latest and greatest in field crops disease management led by Dr. Kiersten Wise, Purdue Extension Plant Pathologist for Field Crops. Kiersten will review some of the diseases that affected crops in 2014 and what farmers should be looking out for in 2015. She will also review the latest research on the economics of fungicide use in corn and soybean.
John Obermeyer, Purdue Extension Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Specialist and editor of the popular Pest & Crop Newsletter, will discuss new IPM challenges with insect pests, covering issues like seed treatments and their effects on pollinating insects, new and invading insect pests, and emerging resistance of insects to pesticides and genetic crop traits.
Personal protective equipment is important to keep applicators safe from the hazards of pesticide use. Gene Matzat, Purdue Extension Educator from La Porte County, will review the different types of equipment needed for different pesticides and where to find that information.
Credit has been approved for private applicators. Those wanting PARP credit are asked to bring their private applicator license and $10 for the PARP fee. Credits have also been approved for commercial applicator CCHs (Categories 1, 4, 11 and RT) and Certified Crop Adviser CEUs.
Those interested in attending the program are asked to RSVP by calling the Purdue Extension – Starke County office at 574-772-9141.
If you have a disability that requires special assistance for your participation in the meeting, please contact Gene Matzat, Purdue Cooperative Extension Service, at 219-324-9407 or ematzat@purdue.edu.
More information about this and other programs are available on the Purdue Extension – La Porte County website at http://www.ag.purdue.edu/counties/laporte under “Upcoming Ag & Natural Resources Meetings and Newsletters.”