Three intensive days of courses in early December will give Mississippi farmers significant information they need as they prepare for the 2013 production season.

The Mississippi State University Extension Service is offering the annual Row Crops Short Course Dec. 3-5 on campus at the Bost Extension Center. Producers can attend free of charge if they complete registration by Nov. 30. Registration is $40 after Nov. 30 and at the door.

The short course will cover new research findings and information related to the state’s major row crops. Since most producers farm more than one crop, organizers decided to include them all in one comprehensive workshop.

Specific speakers and topics include John Beasley, University of Georgia, peanut production; Scott Stewart, University of Tennessee, managing insect pests in corn; Mark Messura, Cotton Inc., cotton use in clothing; Mark Gold, Top Third Marketing, grain crops marketing; Clayton Hollier, Louisiana State University Ag Center, disease management in corn and wheat; and Bronson Strickland, Mississippi State, deer and feral hog management. Many other topics will be addressed as well.

Certified Crop Advisor credits, pesticide applicator recertification and consultant license renewal credits will be available at the short course.

The short course includes lunch each day, an evening social Dec. 3 and a steak and shrimp dinner Dec. 4. Registration and more information can be found at http://msucares.com/rowcrops/shortcourse/. Contact Emily Blaine at (662) 418-3555 or Darrin Dodds at (662) 418-1024 or e-mail [email protected] for more information.