Crop Management Conference - Concurrent Sessions

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2008 Concurrent Sessions
Economics of GPS Guidance Technologies - From the Pasture to the Corn Field
	Kent Shannon, University of Missouri Extension In recent years GPS technologies have begun to play a major role in agriculture. This session will explore the economic benefits of GPS guidance technologies from lightbars to RTK auto guidance and their impact on input savings and management enhancements. An update on the latest in guidance hardware will also be included.
Yield: How It Is Made and How It Is Lost
	Bill Wiebold, University of Missouri Yield is produced by corn and soybean plants in a reasonably predictable process. Yield components including number of plants per acre, number of seeds per plant, and seed size are affected by favorable or not so favorable conditions at specific stages of development. Yield contests and high yield research have taught us that some assumptions may have flaws and that potential yield might be greater than predicted.
Future Herbicide-Resistant Crop Offerings. How Will Our Production Systems Change?
	Kevin Bradley, University of Missouri This session will feature discussions on the utility of future herbicide-resistant crop offerings such as Liberty Link soybean, Optimum GAT corn and soybean, dicamba-resistant soybean, and 2,4-D resistant corn and soybean. Particular emphasis will be placed on recent research results pertaining to weed management in Liberty Link soybean, as this technology will be available for the first time during the 2009 growing season.
Weed, Insect, and Disease Updates for 2008
	Wayne Bailey, Kevin Bradley, and Laura Sweets, University of Missouri Label changes, new chemistry, emerging pests, and pest management strategies to help you stay current.
Nitrogen loss in 2008
	Peter Scharf, University of Missouri A wet spring and summer created many challenges for producers and retailers. Loss of nitrogen appeared to be widespread in the 2008 corn crop in Missouri and other corn belt states. Do we need to have a ‘Plan B’ in place, and would it work?
Impact of Biofuels On Agriculture and Food Prices
	Ron Plain, University of Missouri Increased demand for crops to produce biofuels has helped push U.S. net farm income to record levels. This presentation will focus on the economics of the U.S. biofuels industry and the impact that its rapid growth is having on U.S. crop and livestock producers as well as consumers.
Using Yield Maps for Management and Not Just for Decision-Making
	Ray Massey and Newell Kitchen, University of Missouri Commercial Ag and USDA-ARS Decision making is the last step of the process. Yield maps offer insight into the questions that should be asked and the processes that should be investigated prior to a decision being made. This presentation will put yield maps within the context of complete decision-making.
Sensor-Guided Nitrogen Application: A Changing Landscape
	Peter Scharf, University of Missouri Rising nitrogen and commodity prices, increasing environmental pressures, and maturing technologies are moving sensor-guided N application closer to prime time.
Stored Grain Insects
	Bhadriraju Subramanyam, Kansas State University Construction of grain storage facilities has been booming for several years, and many people managing these facilities have little experience. Insects that feed on stored grain are a major challenge to successful management. Dr. Subramanyam is a world authority on grain storage and has recently traveled to China, Turkey, and Brazil to conduct training sessions.
Hands-On Identification of Stored Grain Insects (bonus evening session)
	Bhadriraju Subramanyam, Kansas State University and Wayne Bailey, University of Missouri This 2-hour evening session will emphasize the identification and management of several common stored grain insect pests. These pests are often small and magnification is needed for identification. A limited number of scopes are available, so participation will be limited to the first 20 registrants and an additional fee will be charged. Registration for this session will be limited to phone, fax or mail.
Fungicide Use on Field Crops- Benefits vs. Costs
	Laura Sweets and Ray Massey, University of Missouri Commercial Ag Interest in the use of seed treatment and foliar fungicides on corn, soybean and wheat has increased dramatically over the last several years. This session will summarize both Missouri and multi-state fungicide trial results on all three crops over numerous years. The data will be used to discuss disease management, yield effects, and costs of fungicide applications. Interpretation of data, use of data to make decisions, and economical considerations in making fungicide use decisions will be covered.
Changes in Asian Agriculture, Implications for the US
	Jerry Nelson, University of Missouri Asian agriculture, like the Asian economy, is changing rapidly and is having more and more engagement with world agriculture. Most Asian countries are self-sufficient in rice, and demand for other grains is increasing. Increasing meat consumption requires feed grains and protein supplements that are largely imported. Subsidies for rice, biotechnology restrictions, food safety concerns, environmental concerns, and difficulty attracting young people into agriculture are additional forces shaping Asian agriculture.
Potential Biofuel Impacts On Soil and Water in Missouri
	Claire Baffaut, USDA-ARS and Verel Benson, Consultant Biofuels have a range of potential impacts on crops and cropping systems in Missouri, including increased corn acreage, harvest of corn stover, and production of other crops as biofuel feedstocks. The effects of these changes on soil (organic matter, erosion) and water (nutrients, pesticides) will be examined.
Succeeding with Legumes As A Nitrogen Source
	John Lory and Rob Kallenbach, University of Missouri High nitrogen prices have many farmers considering using legumes to reduce fertilizer nitrogen purchases for grass pastures. Learn management tips to insure successful establishment and persistence of legumes in pastures.
Ergot Alkaloids and Pasture Management
	Craig Roberts and Tim Evans, University of Missouri What are ergot toxins and where do they come from? What symptoms do they produce in Missouri livestock? We will offer management suggestions to reduce these toxins in the single plant, the mixed pasture, and the animal’s diet.
Historical Missouri Climate Trends, Extreme Events, and Online Agricultural Resources
	Pat Guinan, University of Missouri Temperature and precipitation patterns in Missouri are showing some interesting trends over the past few decades. A historical analysis of Missouri climate trends over the past century will be given including recent weather extremes--floods, freezes, ice storms, and tornadoes. Additionally, a brief introduction to a few online resources will be shown including an opportunity to participate in a community network of precipitation observing.