OSU hosting new herbicide technologies event on March 3 in Lahoma

Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Agricultural producers and herbicide applicators in northwestern Oklahoma should plan now to attend the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service’s New Row Crop Traits and Herbicide Technologies event near Lahoma on March 3.

“With an ever increasing population of roundup-resistant weeds, the new herbicide technologies coming onto the market are going to be important tools in managing some of these weed species,” said Heath Sanders, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension area agronomy specialist. “Using these herbicides within the parameters stipulated on their labels will be key.”

The March 3 event is open to the public and free of charge. It will take place 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the OSU Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources’ North-Central Research Station just west of Lahoma, located on Highway 412.

“Although walk-ins are welcome, we ask participants to RSVP with their OSU Cooperative Extension county office if possible as an estimated head-count greatly aids in our planning for handouts, refreshments and lunches,” said Josh Bushong, OSU Cooperative Extension area agronomy specialist. “Lunch will be provided thanks to the generosity of event sponsors.”

Topics to be showcased include:
● Specific label requirements dealing with the use of new technologies and herbicides;
● Information about how the new technologies perform and how they need to be used in a systems approach to promote and maintain their success in years to come;
● How nozzle selection and manufacturer guidelines affect performance and spray drift;
● The importance of proper sprayer cleanout and tank contamination issues; and
● An overview of various factors affecting spray drift.

Sessions will be led by OSU experts Bushong; Todd Baughman, weed scientist and program leader for the division’s Institute of Agricultural Biosciences in Ardmore; Misha Manuchehri, OSU Cooperative Extension small grains and canola weed specialist; and John Long, OSU biosystems and agricultural engineer.

Three continuing education units for Certified Crop Advisors are being offered. Approval is pending for participants to receive certified applicator CEUs with the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, for those who need them.

Similar events are scheduled for each district in the state: March 6 in Coweta, March 22 in El Reno and April 4 in Altus.

Anyone seeking additional information about the events should contact Baughman by email at todd.baughman@okstate.edu or by phone at 580-224-0620.