MSU Extension to host January cropping seminars in area

BOZEMAN - Montana State University Extension will host its annual cropping seminar series Jan. 10-14 in the Golden Triangle area. Speakers will cover topics such as wheat stem sawfly management and new research; new crop variety trials and integrated pest management, or IPM, concerns; forage management practices during drought; conditions that influence nitrate toxicity; and building relationships between locals and newcomers.

Interested individuals can attend in Chester, Choteau, Conrad, Cut Bank, Fort Benton, Great Falls, Havre, Shelby and Stanford.

There is no charge for the seminars, and all producers are encouraged to attend. The Great Falls seminar will begin with registration at 9:30 a.m. The Choteau, Conrad, Cut Bank, Shelby, Havre, Chester, Fort Benton and Stanford seminars will begin with registration at 8:30 a.m.

Both commercial and private pesticide licensing recertification credits will be available.

David Weaver, professor with Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences in MSU's College of Agriculture, will discuss management and research projects of the wheat stem sawfly. Weaver's research is on sustainable management of agricultural pests. He focuses on integrated pest management methods such as biological control, host plant resistance and chemical ecology. The key pest he works with is the wheat stem sawfly, which cannot be managed using conventional agricultural inputs.

Hayes Goosey, MSU Extension forage specialist, will speak on forage management during drought. Topics will include high-nitrate toxicity from drought conditions, how producers can reduce nitrates and the procedure of nitrate testing, as well as IPM for forages.

Kent McVay, MSU Extension cropping systems specialist from the Southern Agricultural Research Center in Huntley, will present on cereal grain varieties and touch on cereal grain IPM.

Cort Jensen, chief attorney at the Montana Department of Agriculture, will discuss his perspective on building relationships between new Montanans and long-time residents.

Dates, locations and contact numbers for each cropping seminar are listed below:

Jan. 10

• Great Falls at Montana Expo Park Paddock Club, 400 Third St. NW. Contact Rose Malisani at 406-454-6980.

Jan. 11

• Choteau at the Stage Stop Inn, 1005 Main Ave., North Choteau. Contact Karen Forseth at 406-466-2491.

• Conrad at the Pondera Shooting Sports Complex, 972 Granite Road. Contact Adriane Good at 406-271-4053.

Jan. 12

• Cut Bank at the Glacier County Library basement, 21 First Ave. SE. Contact Kari Lewis at 406-873-2239.

• Shelby at the Toole County Ambulance Barn, 825 Oilfield Ave. Contact Kim Woodring at 406-424-8350.

Jan. 13

• Havre at the Hill County Fairgrounds 4-H Chuckwagon, 1676 U.S. Highway 2 W. Contact Colleen Pegar at 406-400-2333.

• Chester at Our Savior's Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall, 10 E. Madison Ave. Contact Jesse Fulbright at 406-759-5625.

Jan. 14

• Fort Benton at the Ag Center, 1205 20th St. Contact Tyler Lane at 406-622-3751.

• Stanford at the City Hall, 102 Central. Contact Katie Hatlelid at 406-566-2277.

If participants require accommodation for a disability to participate, they are asked to notify the local MSU Extension office prior to the event.