URBANA, Ill. – Online registration is now open for the 2014 AGMasters Conference scheduled for Dec. 15 and 16 at the iHotel and Conference Center, Chamapign, Ill.
The 6th annual conference, hosted by University of Illinois Extension, will begin with a general session that features speakers covering a variety of topics including: potential water protection rules and standards, implications of the new Farm Bill, agrichemical/agribusiness/industry education initiatives, and the practical implications of evolutionary principles regarding resistance development by insects, plant pathogens, and weeds.
Following the general session, attendees can choose 8 out of 16 specialized sessions. Topics offered include:
- Cover crops
- Managing big data
- Refining herbicide application techniques
- Palmer amaranth biology/ecology
- Western corn rootworm resistance to Bt
- Understanding and managing Pythium
- Methods to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus losses
- White mold and soybean production
- Fusarium head blight of wheat
- Use of drones for aerial scouting
- Advance in corn genetics
- Management of insects in stored grain
- Soybean management with pollinator considerations
Leading the workshops will be speakers from Iowa State University, Michigan State University, Ohio State University, Purdue University, University of Guelph, University of Illinois, University of Minnesota, University of Nebraska, and the University of Wisconsin.
According to Mike Gray, a U of I professor of crop sciences, space in the breakout sessions is limited, and those with interest in this conference are strongly encouraged to register early to help ensure the availability of specialized classes of most interest.
The registration fee for this event is $250 through Dec. 5. Enrollment in the specialized sessions is on a first-come, first-served basis.
“One of the most popular features of this two-day event is the opportunity to interact with instructors from many universities in small classroom-style sessions” Gray said. “The instructors have been encouraged to solicit input and questions from the participants. So please come loaded up with questions for these researchers to address.”
Source: ACES