By Blake Jackson
The University of Kentucky (UK) Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment and the UK Research and Education Center at Princeton will host their annual IPM Virtual Training School on March 12, 2025.
This one-day online workshop, starting at 8 a.m. CST, offers the latest insights in integrated pest management (IPM) for agronomic and specialty crops.
“Agents, consultants, industry professionals and producers will learn the latest on pest management and nutrient research for agronomic and specialty crops,” said Ric Bessin, UK extension entomologist.
“The goal is to provide producers from all over with valuable multidisciplinary information to grow crops maximizing economic return and environmental sustainability. Every year in agriculture is different with weather, new technology and more, and this school brings all that together.”
Morning sessions focus on field crops, covering topics such as updated nitrogen, phosphate, and potash recommendations for Kentucky grain growers, organic fertilization methods, corn fungicide application ROI, soybean disease management, emergent soybean pests, insect response to climate change, and weed control.
A special presentation by University of Delaware extension specialist David Owens will address the growing slug problem.
“Slugs are the most important pest of no-till full season soybean,” Owens said. “Slug problems have caused farmers to increasingly abandon no-till production, which creates other agronomic and environmental problems. There are no easy answers for slugs. Proper planting conditions to promote rapid stand establishment and growth will be discussed, along with long-term practices that can help promote natural enemies like ground beetles.”
Afternoon sessions shift to horticulture, with presentations on weed management, invasive plant control, soil solarization, nursery IPM best practices, spotted lanternfly, and fruit crop cold damage prevention.
Each session includes a Q&A opportunity. Continuing education units are available for pesticide applicators and Certified Crop Advisers. Online registration, required by March 11, is available through the UK Research and Education Center website.
Contact Zenaida Viloria at zenaida.viloria@uky.edu or 859-562-1336 for more information. This virtual training offers a convenient and valuable opportunity for producers to enhance their IPM knowledge and practices.
For registration visit, https://news.ca.uky.edu/article/integrated-pest-management-virtual-training-school-set-march-12
Photo Credit: istock-fotokostic
Categories: Kentucky, Crops, General