Agenda topics announced for annual pest management update meetings

The agenda has been announced for the University of Wisconsin Extension Service's eight 2012 pest management update meetings being held around the state from Nov. 5-15.

The speakers will be weed control specialists Vince Davis and Mark Renz, plant pathologist Damon Smith, and entomologist Eileen Cullen. Each meeting is scheduled to run from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

For the weed management presentations, the subtopics will include updates on herbicide resistance in Wisconsin and on herbicide products for 2013, carryover of herbicides as a result of the 2012 drought, the control of Canada thistles and other weeds in pastures, options for the establishment of Roundup Ready alfalfa, and a review of poisonous plants.

Topics for the disease management segment will be the development of mycotoxins in corn as a result of the 2012 drought, stem rust in winter wheat, and soybean plant diseases such as vein necrosis and related viruses.

The insect management presentation will cover control of spider mites in a drought year, resistance by western corn rootworm in Bt corn having a trait for controlling the insect, alfalfa insects such as potato leafhoppers and variegated cutworms, labeling updates for insecticides, and a review of Bt corn traits.

The meeting dates and locations will be Nov. 5 at Marshfield, Nov. 6 at Chippewa Falls, Nov. 7 at Belmont, Nov. 8 at Arlington, Nov. 12 at Fond du Lac, Nov. 13 at Green Bay, Nov. 14 at Sparta, and Nov. 15 at Janesville.

Four hours of certified crop advisor credits will be awarded to qualified attendees.

A registration form is available on the internet at www.uwex.edu/ces/crops/pest mgt2012.pdf.

The registration fee, including materials and lunch, is $35 per person. Registrations should be completed by a week before the meeting with the Extension Service office in the respective host counties.