HAVRE, Mont. (NMB) – Montana State University Extension is broadcasting its annual cropping seminar series on Wednesday, January 6th from 10 AM to 3 PM at numerous locations in the Golden Triangle.
Speakers will cover topics including grasshopper control, effects of herbicides, management of herbicide-resistant weeds, and farm and ranch safety.
“Many of our colleagues out of Bozeman ususally come up and do presentations, maybe on the diseases or insects or whatever. This year, of course, we’ll have to do it virtually. We’ll be broadcasting it out at the 4-H Chuckwagon (at the Hill County Fairgrounds,” says Hill County MSU-Extension Agent Tom Allen. “This is something that we do every year to keep the producers updated.”
Scheduled speakers include APHIS state plant health Director Gary Adams, MSU Extension cropland weed specialist Tim Seipel, Assistant Professor of weed science at MSU’s Southern Agricultural Resource Center Lovreet Shergill, and Director of agricultural safety with the Montana Agriculture Safety Program Austin Grazier.
One topic that will be discussed at length is the potential for a devastating grasshopper infestation this spring and summer.
“It’s a worry because of how many we had last fall,” says Allen. “They all laid eggs, the ones that survived. And those will be hatching in the spring. It’s a concern. A lot of times, the eggs don’t survive. But if we get a good survival rate of the eggs, we could have another pretty good grasshopper year.”
Viewing locations will be in Chester, Choteau, Conrad, Cut Bank, Denton, Fort Benton, Great Falls, Havre and Shelby. COVID guidelines will be in place at the locations, and there will be limited attendance.
Interested producers can earn three pesticide licensing recertification credits by either attending the presentation at a viewing location or watching a recording later at an Extension office.
For more information, contact your local extension agent or visit their website.
