Soil fertility seminar offered

Feb 11, 2015

URBANA, Ill. – Soil fertility and the influence of crop production practices, environmental stewardship, and market prices are among the topics of a seminar that will be offered on Friday, Feb. 27, at 17 University of Illinois Extension county offices. The presentations will be delivered through web conferencing from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and lunch will be provided.

“At the seminar, university researchers will share the most current nutrient management research and recommendations to both increase nutrient efficiency and decrease nutrient losses,” said U of I Extension Educator Angie Peltier.

Presentations will include:

Nutrient Management Is More than Application Rate
How Algae Blooms Have Affected Nutrient Management in the Lake Erie Basin
Nitrogen Management Practices: Reducing Atmospheric and Leaching Losses While Maintaining Yields
Making Soil Fertility Decisions in 2015
Evaluation of Adapt-N in the Corn Belt

Certified Crop Advisors will earn up to five continuing education units in nutrient management by attending this seminar.

Source: ACES

Video: Sclerotinia and Lygus in Seed Canola: Field Update with George Lubberts, CCA | Enchant, Alberta

Join Certified Crop Advisor George Lubberts for this Prairie Certified Crop Advisor (Prairie CCA) field update from Enchant, Alberta. In this 12th video of the series, George takes us into a seed canola field where the male rows have been removed and the female plants are filling pods. This video was taken in the third week of August 2025.

George discusses the early signs of sclerotinia stem rot, explaining how infection begins in the stem, impacts pod development, and leads to premature ripening. He also shares insights on lygus bug management, including timing of spray applications to minimize feeding damage and maintain seed size and quality.

With cool, damp summer conditions, George notes that while disease pressure is present, overall field health remains good. The crop is just beginning to show early seed colour change, signaling progress toward maturity.

Topics Covered:

•Sclerotinia stem rot identification and impact

•Managing lygus bugs in seed canola

•Crop stage and seed colour change observations

•Timing insecticide sprays for optimal protection

•Insights from a CCA field perspective in southern Alberta