By Blake Jackson
The annual University of Missouri Crop Management Conference is returning on December 4-5 at a new location, the Columbia Hilton Garden Inn and Conference Center. Leading agricultural experts will discuss strategies to improve farm profitability.
One key topic is the recent changes in pesticide application licensing requirements. MU Extension agronomist Rusty Lee will provide an overview of these changes, implemented by the Environmental Protection Agency and overseen by the Missouri Department of Agriculture.
The rules include a national minimum age for certified applicators and those working under their direct supervision. Additionally, specific application methods like fumigation and aerial application now require additional certification.
MU Extension weed scientist Kevin Bradley, a longtime organizer of the conference, encourages attendees to mark their calendars and note the new location. He and his graduate students will present findings from their latest weed management projects, including new herbicides, weed management techniques for pastures, and updates on drone-based spraying and spreading.
MU Extension plant pathologist Mandy Bish will discuss strategies for managing two newly discovered diseases in Missouri: corn stunt disease and red crown rot in soybeans. She will also provide updates on tar spot management, a growing concern for corn growers.
MU Extension climatologist Zachary Leasor will analyze the impact of weather on Missouri crops in 2024. Economist Ben Brown will offer a forecast for crops in 2025, discussing MU Extension's 2025 production budgets, concerns about fertilizer prices, and the decline in Missouri wheat acreage by 5% last year.
For information contact Bradley at bradleyke@missouri.edu
Photo Credit: getty-images-elhenyo
Categories: Missouri, Crops, Education