February 26, 2010

Contacts: Joe Lawrence, CCE Lewis County, 315-376-5270; Mike Hunter, CCE Jefferson County, 315-788-8450; Stephen Canner, CCE St Lawrence/Franklin counties, 315-379-9192

NNY Crop Congresses in Carthage March 24, Madrid March 25

Carthage and Madrid, NY – Controlling costs, weeds and pests, and nutrient management for corn growers are the topics for the NNY Crop Congresses set for 10am to 3pm Wednesday, March 24 at the Carthage Elks Club and Thursday, March 25 at the Madrid Community Center.

The presentations and speakers for each day are:
• Corn-Nitrogen Needs Following Sod– Dr. Quirine Ketterings, Cornell University Nutrient Management Spear Program
• An Update on Weed Control in Corn – Dr. Russ Hahn, Cornell University Crop & Soil Sciences
• Field Crop Integrated Pest Management Tips – J. Keith Waldron, Cornell University NYS Pest Management Specialist
• Using a Partial Budget for Cropping Decision – Peggy Murray, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Lewis County (Carthage), Jessica Prosper, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Franklin County (Madrid)
• Getting the Most Out of Crop Insurance – Charlie Koines, Risk Management Specialist, New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets
• Cornell University and Dairy One Soil Testing Services Updates.

Farmers have specifically requested the best practices for managing corn grown in rotation with alfalfa information to be presented by Cornell University Nutrient Management Spear Program Director Dr. Quirine M. Ketterings.

“The Northern New York Agricultural Development Program has provided funding for research that has produced valuable insights for efficient, environmentally-friendly use of on-farm and purchased nutrients to grow high yield, high quality corn with under Northern New York growing conditions. Because corn is often grown in rotation with alfalfa or alfalfa-grass mixtures to maintain soil health, we focus our work on providing management information for optimizing rotation management,” Ketterings says.

Cornell University Weed Control Specialist Dr. Russ Hahn will update farmers on the role of newly registered herbicides in weed control programs for conventional and glyphosate-resistant corn hybrids and how these new products can help prevent or manage herbicide-resistant weed populations. Hahn says, “Each year’s field research adds to our knowledge base for more efficient development of strategies to manage weeds in field crops. Farmers can attend Crop Congresses not only to hear the latest data but to brainstorm with researchers and their fellow farmers about the best practice for their farms.”

NYS Integrated Pest Management Specialist J. Keith Waldron says, “Pest problems can impact yield, quality and the economics of crop production. At the Northern New York Crop Congresses in Carthage and Madrid, I will share tips for reducing pest problems in corn crops early in the season and for minimizing pest impact throughout the growing season.”

Controlling costs is a constant focus for farmers. Cornell Cooperative Extension Farm Business Management Educators Peggy Murray and Jessica Prosper will share a partial budgeting method that farmers can use to save costs on their 2010 corn production. For example, the method compares the cost of planting Roundup Ready corn seed vs. planting conventional corn and applying selective herbicides to control weeds.

Registration for either Crop Congress includes lunch and is $15 if registered by March 12; $20 after March 12. Register with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson (315-788-8450) or Lewis (315-376-5270) counties for the Carthage program; with Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence County, 315-379-9192, for the Madrid program. NYSDEC Pesticide Credits and CCA credits are available. # # #