OSU hosting new herbicide technologies events in El Reno and Altus

Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Agricultural producers and herbicide applicators in western and southwestern Oklahoma should plan now to attend one of the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Services’ upcoming New Row Crop Traits and Herbicide Technologies events.

The events are scheduled for March 22 in El Reno and April 4 in Altus. Each will take place 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and are free of charge to participants.

“With new herbicide technologies coming onto the market, producers and applicators need to be aware of the different technologies available as well as the label requirements for each product,” said Todd Baughman, weed scientist and program leader for Oklahoma State University’s Institute of Agricultural Biosciences. “Using these herbicides within the parameters stipulated on their labels will be key.”

The El Reno event will take place at the Canadian County OSU Extension Center, located at 218 N. Country Club Rd. The Altus event will take place at the OSU Southwest Research and Extension Center, located three miles south of Altus on State Highway 283.

“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 Heath Sanders, 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 Baughman; Misha Manuchehri, OSU Cooperative Extension small grains and canola weed specialist; and John Long, OSU biosystems and agricultural engineer. Sanders will lead the session on herbicide label requirements at the El Reno event. In Altus, the session will be led by Gary Strickland, OSU Cooperative Extension dryland cropping systems specialist.

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.

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