Minnesota Crop News

Registration is now closed, but walk-ins are welcome to attend the remaining 2025 Research Update sessions. Keep up with new crop production challenges with research-based knowledge and field-tested solutions that will help you in the field in 2025. The remaining Research Update session dates and locations include: January 14, Willmar January 15, Lamberton  January 16, Crookston  Program details including schedule, presentation titles and speakers for each session can be found on the  Research Updates  website. As always, we have applied for Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for Certified Crop Advisors. Registration The registration fee at the door is $70. On-site registration begins one hour before the start time at each location.  For more information If you have questions about the program content or any special accommodation requests contact Robert Koch (koch0125@umn.edu). If you need assistance with the online registration, contact Larisa Hohrman ( jenri001...

 Liz Stahl, Extension educator - crops The 6th season of “Strategic Farming: Let’s Talk Crops!” launched January 8th with a discussion on nitrogen management given current crop and input economics. Dr. Fabian Fernandez, Extension nutrient management specialist and Brad Carlson, Extension educator – water quality, joined Extension Educator - Crops, Dave Nicolai, for a discussion around this critical nutrient. Looking back at 2024 2024 was a year of extremes. The season initially started out dry and farmers were hoping for an early planting season. Then it rained, rained, and rained some more, making timely planting elusive for many. Excessive precipitation resulted in widespread N losses. Drainage issues were marked by yellowed corn in many fields. Although yields were respectable and even decent in some fields, yields were significantly lower than hoped for in others. Greater N mineralization than normal early in the season due to warmer than usual temperatures followed by ...

Join Extension entomologists and their graduate students from three midwestern universities to get the latest updates on soybean gall midge (SGM). This free, live webinar on February 27th from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. CST will feature updates from the experts. Several short presentations on a variety of topics will leave plenty of time for questions and discussion. Growers, crop consultants and scouts, educators and industry representatives are encouraged to attend. Get the latest research-based updates on biology, ecology, and management: Updates on SGM distribution and monitoring efforts Impact on soybean production Biology and ecology updates, including cold tolerance Latest in soybean host plant resistance Biological, chemical, and cultural control updates Certified Crop Advisors can earn two pest management (PM) CEUs by attending the live event.  Registration Registration is required. However, thanks to our generous sponsors, there is no fee to watch live or on-demand sessions....

Nitrogen conservation and water quality are the subject of today's Advancing Nitrogen Smart episode. There's lots to cover so we're splitting the episode up into two parts. Today in Part 1, Brad Carlson and Jeff Vetsch unpack different conservation solutions, and what might be achieved from their adoption. In what situations might buffer strips, cover crops, and corn genetics play their part? What about using technology-such as active and passive sensors? How do any reactive mitigation costs compare with proactive nutrient management planning? This and much more on today's episode. TRANSCRIPT Guests: Brad Carlson, Extension educator (Mankato) Jeff Vetsch, researcher at the Southern Research and Outreach Center (Waseca) Additional resources: 2025 Nitrogen Conference How to interpret a water test for nitrate Nitrogen Smart --- Click here to listen to all Advancing Nitrogen Smart podcast episodes. For the latest nutrient management information, subscribe to the Nutrient ...

In this episode, Dave Nicolai and Seth Naeve chat with Bob Koch, Director of the Institute for Ag Professionals at the University of Minnesota and University of Minnesota Extension entomologist. Bob discussed the Institute for Ag Professionals 2025 educational offerings, highlighting the January Field Crop Research Updates for Ag Professionals as the first educational event for 2025. The University of Minnesota Field School (St. Paul Campus) will be held on July 29-30 followed by the Crop Pest Management Short Course in December. In this podcast, Dave and Seth discussed with Bob how the University of Minnesota Research Updates for Ag Professionals event can help Ag Professionals and growers find research-based strategies to deal with today's changing pests, diseases, varieties, and nutrient and environmental recommendations. Participants at each of the five locations located across Minnesota will be able to visit in person with experienced university researchers and colleagues to d...

Early bird registration rates for the 20th annual Soil Management Summit end January 7, 2025. Be sure to register before January 7th to secure the lowest registration rate for this great event! The Soil Management Summit features: Breakout sessions led by experts, researchers, and farmers Exhibitors with innovative solutions to improve your soil health and farm profitability Networking opportunities at scheduled breaks and Beer and Bull Panel discussions with experienced farmers and agriculture professionals Table talks to support informal discussions with farmers and advisors The Soil Management Summit draws farmers, ranchers, land owners, ag advisors, local conservation staff and more from all corners of Minnesota and beyond. 98% of Soil Management Summit attendees said they would recommend this conference to their friends and peers. We hope to see you there! Location: Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center  1 Civic Center Plaza Mankato, MN 56001 Dates: January 29-30, 2025 Regis...