Due to COVID-19 concerns, this year’s Nueces/San Patricio County Field Crop Symposium on Jan. 7 will be by virtual participation only.
“Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units have been requested for participants, and we have also made a request for CEUs for certified crop advisers,” said Jason Ott, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service agent, Nueces County. “Most importantly, the symposium will have a number of outstanding presentations on a variety of pertinent topics, including weed, fertility and insect management strategies. There will also be an optional auxin herbicide training.”
Ott said while the symposium is designed for field crop producers in the two counties, growers in other cotton- and grain sorghum-producing areas of the state can also benefit from participating.
A request has been made to the TDA for the following credits for symposium participation: three general, one laws and regulations, and one integrated pest management. An additional hour of laws and regulations credit has been requested for those who attend early to participate in the optional training.
The request for certified crop adviser CEUs is for two credits in crop management, one each in integrated pest management, nutrient management and professional development.
The cost is $20. Because the symposium is virtual, online registration is required as only registered participants will be given access to the webinar attendance link. Registration must be completed by 4 p.m., Jan. 6.
Those interested in participating in the auxin herbicide training prior to the start of the symposium are asked to indicate their interest when registering. These individuals will also need to log into the webinar from 7:30-7:45 a.m. The training will be from 7:45-8:45 a.m.
All other symposium participants will need to log in between 8:45-9:10 a.m. The program will begin at 9:15 a.m. Central Standard Time.
Topics and presenters will be:
• Weed Management with New Sorghum Herbicide Technology – Dr. Joshua McGinty, AgriLife Extension agronomist, Corpus Christi.
• A Program Approach to Delaying Onset of Weed Resistance – Dr. Scott Nolte, AgriLife Extension state weed specialist, Bryan-College Station.
• Pesticide Laws: A 15-Year Review of “What’s New” – Dr. Mark Matocha, AgriLife Extension agricultural and environmental safety specialist, Bryan-College Station.
• Impacts of Fertility on Insects and Disease Pests – Dr. Tony Provin, AgriLife Extension soil chemist, Bryan-College Station.
• Understanding Bt Resistance in Bollworm and Viral Control Options – Dr. Dalton Ludwick, AgriLife Extension entomologist, Corpus Christi.
There will be a lunch break from noon-1 p.m. to include a presentation on the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol by Dwight Jackson, National Cotton Council, Corpus Christi.
The program will conclude at 2:30 p.m., and registrants are requested to participate in a program review and evaluation from 2:40-2:50 p.m. Issuance of CEU certificates will immediately follow.
Texas A&M AgriLife contributed this article.