By Blake Jackson
Registration is now open for Missouri’s leading agricultural event, the Missouri Crop Management Conference, hosted by the University of Missouri.
Designed for farmers and ag industry professionals, the two-day conference will be held December 9-10 at the Stoney Creek Hotel in Columbia, offering in-depth sessions led by experts from MU Extension, the University of Georgia, Iowa State University, and Purdue University.
The registration deadline is November 28, and inquiries can be directed to Heather Bowden (573-882-4303) or Nicholshn@missouri.edu.
According to MU Extension weed scientist Kevin Bradley, the event provides essential updates and practical insights to help farmers enhance efficiency and boost yields.
Program highlights include a broad range of topics covering economics, crops, pest management, soil health, and technology.
Ben Brown, MU Extension agricultural business and policy specialist, will open the conference with an analysis of the economic factors shaping Missouri agriculture in 2026, along with market updates and crop enterprise budgets.
Corn growers will gain insights from Mark Licht of Iowa State University on managing short-stature hybrids, while soybean farmers can join a panel discussion and learn from MU Extension agronomist Andre Reis about cultivar maturity, plant population, and row spacing strategies.
In the nutrient management and soil health segment, Tim Reinbott will address soil health and drought resilience. Rasel Parej, MU’s soil testing laboratory director, will discuss fertilizer strategies, and Lori Abendroth from USDA’s Agricultural Research Service will review cropping systems.
Kevin Bradley and his graduate students will present updates on waterhemp resistance and weed control solutions, while Zachary Leasor will explore Missouri’s 2025 weather trends and drought-monitoring tools.
Plant pathologist Mandy Bish will discuss disease management, including red crown rot and soybean cyst nematode, and Morgan Goodnight of Purdue will highlight tar spot control in corn.
Additional sessions will focus on insect threats, forage profitability with Carson Roberts, virtual fencing with Rob Myers and Kaitlyn Dozer, and technological innovations presented by Marcelo Barbosa from the University of Georgia.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-kotenko-a
Categories: Missouri, Business, Crops