Register now to attend July 13 Oklahoma Crops Conference in El Reno

Thursday, July 6, 2017

Crop producers working along the Interstate 40 corridor west of Oklahoma City should register now to attend the July 13 Oklahoma Crops Conference in El Reno.

“The conference is one of four we will be putting on in July, with each focusing on all critical crops grown in a region and highlighting research-based best management practices designed to help growers get the most out of their operations,” said Josh Lofton, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension cropping systems specialist.

Free of charge and open to the public, the July 13 conference will take place at the Canadian Valley Technology Center, located at 6505 East Highway 66. The event will begin at 9 a.m. and finish at approximately 3 p.m. A donor-sponsored lunch will be provided free of charge to participants.

“Given current prices of Oklahoma commodities, it is important growers take full advantage of every opportunity to increase productivity while at the same time minimizing inputs,” Lofton said. “Information provided will include a number of new recommendations coming about from current research undertaken by OSU’s Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.”

Lofton will lead two sessions: The first will focus on optimizing grain sorghum production in southern Oklahoma and the second will tackle soybean production west of Interstate 35.

Tom Royer, OSU Cooperative Extension entomologist and coordinator of DASNR’s Integrated Pest Management program, will provide the latest research-based information on grain sorghum insect management.

Gary Strickland, Jackson County Extension Office director and OSU Cooperative Extension dryland cropping specialist, will lead a session on managing risk in southern and western Oklahoma production systems.

Heath Sanders, OSU Cooperative Extension area agronomy specialist, will provide the latest insights about fitting canola production into southern and western Oklahoma production systems.

The tag team of David Marburger, OSU Cooperative Extension small grains specialist, and Bob Hunger, OSU Cooperative Extension plant pathologist for small grains, will share what was learned from the 2017 wheat crop and practical tips that can be drawn from that to promote the best possible 2018 wheat crop.

A second tag team of Jason Warren, OSU Cooperative Extension soil and water conservation management specialist, and Brian Arnall, OSU Cooperative Extension precision nutrient management specialist, will provide the latest science-based information and recommendations relative to practices for improving soil and cropping system health.

Misha Manuchehri, OSU Cooperative Extension weed specialist for small grains and canola, will provide the latest information relative to new technology for weed management in small grain and row-crop production.

Although the conference is free and open to the public, participants are asked to RSVP by contacting Lofton by email at josh.lofton@okstate.edu or by phone at 405-744-3389, or Marburger by email at david.marburger@okstate.edu or by phone at 405-744-9617.

“Having a head count really aids with our planning and helps ensure we have sufficient numbers of lunches, refreshments and conference materials on hand,” Marburger said.

The Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service is a state agency administered by OSU’s Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, and one of three equal parts comprising the university’s state and federally mandated teaching, research and Extension land-grant mission.

Oklahoma ranks eighth nationally in the number of acres devoted to farming, according to USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service data.