The annual Ag Technology Conference, scheduled Dec. 11 at the Sam Rayburn Student Center on the Texas A&M-Commerce campus, will feature a close look at management strategies for the sugarcane aphid in grain sorghum.

The pest has migrated from South Texas the last two seasons to cause some damage to sorghum fields in to Texas Blacklands, with some reports of aphid populations into Oklahoma and the Texas High Plains.

Texas AgriLife Extension integrated pest management agent Jim Swart says effective control measures are available but growers must be vigilant to catch infestations early.

Don Armstrong, USDA-ARS research entomologist, will discuss management protocols.

Other topics include weed identification and management in forage production; legal control options for wild pigs; managing insects and weeds in Texas with GMO corn; and a two-step herbicide program to manage resistant ryegrass in wheat.

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Participants will receive five continuing education units for private applicator, commercial applicator, non-commercial applicator or certified crop advisor designations.

Registration and exhibitor visits begin at 8 a.m. the morning session starts at 10. A $40 registration fee (if paid by Nov. 28) covers lunch. Late registration is $50. Make checks payable to C.C.R.I. and send with completed registration form to: Ag Technology Conference, Texas A&M University-Commerce, Commerce, Texas 755429. The A&M faculty combo will play bluegrass music during lunch.

The conference is sponsored by the Cereal Crops Research incorporated (CCRI), Texas A&M-Commerce, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and the agribusiness industry