Grainnet

Urbana—Crop production, pest management, economics, and the interactions among them will be the emphasis of the 2009 University of Illinois Corn and Soybean Classics.

This series of regional conferences is scheduled at six sites between January 6 and January 15.

“One of the biggest draws of the Classic is the opportunity for participants to come to one location and in one day, hear nine different speakers cover a broad range of topics,” said Aaron Hager, weed scientist with U of I Extension and coordinator of the Classics.

“We cover everything from production to protection to marketing of corn and soybeans.”

A wide variety of topics is offered this year, including disease management with fungicides, rotation decisions, corn and soybean nematode management, managing nitrogen for profitability, acreage shifts needed in 2009, and ‘new age’ soybean insect management.

Market updates will be provided throughout the day, and CCA credits will be available.

“We’ve scheduled significant blocks of time to allow for questions and answers,” said Hager.

“We really want to emphasize communication between the speakers and the participants.”

Scheduled speakers include U of I Extension specialists Carl Bradley, Fabián Fernández, Darrel Good, Mike Gray, Aaron Hager, Emerson Nafziger, Terry Niblack, Gary Schnitkey and Kevin Steffey.

The day-long programs will begin promptly at 9:00 a.m. A noon lunch and a proceedings booklet, containing synopses of all presentations, are provided to each registrant.

Adjournment at each site is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.

Scheduled site locations are as follows:

January 6 (Tuesday): Mt. Vernon Holiday Inn

January 7 (Wednesday): Champaign I Hotel and Conference Center

January 12 (Monday): Bloomington Interstate Center

January 13 (Tuesday): Springfield Crowne Plaza

January 14 (Wednesday): Moline i wireless Center

January 15 (Thursday): Malta Kishwaukee College

Registration for the programs can be accomplished several ways:

Online registration is available here.

Mail registration form and payment to: Department of Crop Sciences, Attention: Sandy Osterbur, University of Illinois, AW-101 Turner Hall, 1102 South Goodwin Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801 (Make checks payable to University of Illinois).

Complete the registration form and fax to (217) 333-5299 (available 24 hours a day). Call toll free (800) 321-1296 with credit card information.

Pre-registrations, at a cost of $50, are accepted through December 20, 2008.

Registrations received December 21-31, and all on-site registrations, are $65.00.

For more information, call 217-333-4424.

See Related Websites/Articles:

• 2009 Corn & Soybean Classics
• University of Illinois Extension

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