Field day emphasizes pest resistance and management strategies

By Julie Douglas
Ag Communications
Wednesday, August 16, 2006

C.R. Ewards speaking to a group at Field day.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue University Cooperative Extension will hold a field day for farmers, agribusinesses and certified crop advisers Aug. 21 at the Southeast Purdue Agriculture Center in Butlerville, Ind.

"The workshop will help increase awareness of soybean rust and Roundup Ready resistance," said Mike Ferree, Extension specialist and field day coordinator. "Not only is it informational, but it also provides participants the chance to network, share information and learn about the research being done here at Purdue."

The field day, from 4-8 p.m., is free. However, participants are requested to reserve a place before Aug. 19 by calling (812) 352-3033 or the local Purdue Extension office.

Dinner is free and will be followed by remarks from Sonny Ramaswamy, director of Purdue Agricultural Research Programs.

Program participants will have the option to earn two continuing certification hours, two continuing education units and one credit for the Private Applicator Recertification Program.

Speakers and topics are:

• Christian Krupke, entomology specialist, who will discuss this year's crop insect issues.
• Greg Shaner, plant pathologist, who will focus on soybean rust and other crop diseases.
• Ramaswamy, who will introduce himself and share ongoing research being done at Purdue.
• Bill Johnson, Purdue Extension weed specialist, who will speak about different weed-control strategies that producers are using, Roundup Ready and resistance problems.
• Shawn Conley, Purdue soybean specialist, who will talk about optimizing soybean production.
• Dave Osborne, Purdue Extension educator in Ripley County, who will provide information about fungicide labels.

For questions and more information, contact Ferree at (812) 379-1665, ferreel@purdue.edu

Writer: Julie Douglas, (765) 496-1050, douglajk@purdue.edu

Sources: Mike Ferree, (812) 379-1665, ferreel@purdue.edu

Dave Osborne, (812) 689-6511, osbornda@purdue.edu

Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722;
Beth Forbes, forbes@purdue.edu
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