Iowa State University’s annual Crop Advantage meetings provide a solid foundation of current research-based production information to help farmers, crop consultants and others make informed decisions. Farmers and crop advisers can hear about current research and crop production recommendations from Iowa State.

ISU Extension specialists will travel to 14 locations around Iowa from Jan. 3 to Jan. 30, providing updated management options on current and future crop production issues. In addition, the meetings offer continuing education credits for certified crop advisers and pesticide safety recertification.

“There is no other program in our crop production education year that we are able to bring this many Extension specialists together to individual sites across the state like we are able to do with Crop Advantage meetings,” says Joel De Jong, field agronomist in northwest Iowa with ISU Extension.

Timely topics
In 2018, nearly 2,000 individuals attended the meetings across the state, representing all 99 Iowa counties and surrounding states. Of the attendees responding to follow-up surveys, 84% said information from Crop Advantage would likely save them between $5 and $20 per acre.

“Our goal is to prepare producers to manage potential issues when they arise, or even before they arise, by sharing the most up-to-date scientific knowledge from Iowa State University,” De Jong says. “Content at the meetings is driven by county needs and local production issues.”

Program topics vary by location and are selected for regional concerns and issues. Topics on the agenda this year include the 2019 market outlook, strategies for dealing with stress, weed management and herbicide resistance, soybean gall midge as a new pest in Iowa, nitrogen management in variable environments, and soil pH and liming strategies with low crop prices.

For locations, times and program details, visit cropadvantage.org. Early registration for each location is $50; late registration made less than seven days prior to the meeting or on-site is $60. Registration includes lunch, printed proceedings booklet, private pesticide applicator recertification and CCA credits.

For questions, contact ANR Program Services at 515-294-6429 or [email protected], or contact your regional ISU Extension and Outreach field agronomist.

2019 Crop Advantage meetings
Jan. 3 – Sheldon
Jan. 4 – Burlington
Jan. 8 – Storm Lake
Jan. 9 – Ames
Jan. 10 – Moravia
Jan. 11 – Mason City
Jan. 15 – Okoboji
Jan. 16 – Fort Dodge
Jan. 17 – Waterloo
Jan. 18 – Davenport
Jan. 22 – Le Mars
Jan. 24 – Atlantic
Jan. 29 – Iowa City
Jan. 30 – Denison

Source: Iowa State University