Five Pest and Crop Management Update meetings for field crop producers and agronomists will be conducted this winter. The programs are sponsored by Michigan State University Extension, Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee, Corn Marketing Program of Michigan and Michigan Wheat Program. All programs will begin at 8:30 a.m. and end at 3:30 p.m., except for the Dundee location, which will start at 9 a.m. and end at 4 p.m. The dates and locations for the updates are:

• Jan. 12. Comfort Inn and Suites Hotel and Conference Center, 2424 S. Mission St., Mount Pleasant.  Contact Isabella County MSU Extension at 989-317-407.
• Jan. 13. Saginaw Valley Research and Extension Center, 3775 S. Reese Road, Frankenmuth. Contact Lapeer County MSU Extension at 810-667-0341.
• Feb. 21. Cabela’s, 110 Cabelas Blvd. E, Dundee. Contact Van Buren County MSU Extension at 269-657-8213.
• Feb. 22. Dowagiac Conservation Club, 54551 M-51 N, Dowagia. Contact Van Buren County MSU Extension at 269-657-8213.
• Feb. 23. Sanilac Career Center, 175 E. Aitken Road, Peck. Contact Sanilac County MSU Extension at 810-648-251.

Agenda
The agenda will include timely and relevant pest and crop management information presented by MSU Extension specialists and educators. The agenda includes:
• Commodity group updates
• Resurgence of western bean cutworm, Cry 1F for WBC control and cereal leaf beetle in small by Christina DiFonzo, MSU Extension field crop entomologist
• Tar spot, ILeVO-VOTiVO seed treatments for SDS and wheat stripe rust by Martin Chilvers, MSU Extension plant pathologist
• 2016 SMaRT Soybean on-farm research results and 2017 research topics by Mike Staton, MSU Extension soybean educator
• Market outlook for 2017 by Jim Hilker, MSU Extension professor of economics
• Controlling herbicide-resistant and troublesome weeds and Weed Control Guide update by Christy Sprague, MSU Extension weed management specialist
• Timing corn and choosing wheat inputs by Kurt Steinke, MSU soil fertility specialist
• Local host wrap-up, evaluation and adjourn

In addition to learning new information, participants will receive a free copy of MSU Extension Bulletin E434, “2017 Weed Control Guide for Field Crops,” compliments of the Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee, Corn Marketing Program of Michigan and Michigan Wheat Program. Participants will also earn pesticide applicator and certified crop adviser credits.

The registration fee is $25 per person. Preregistration is required to ensure an accurate count for meals and materials, and can be accomplished online or by phone. Please register one week before the event you plan to attend. To register online (preferred), go to Pest and Crop Management Update Meetings and enter the requested information. To register by phone, call the MSU Extension office that is hosting the meeting you plan to attend.

If you are unable to attend these meetings, you can register for the 2017 Field Crops Webinar Series. Check the MSU Extension Field Crop Events page for upcoming information.

Source: MSUE