Montana crop seminars broadcast Jan. 6

Weeds, pests the topic of annual crop seminar 

Montana State University Extension will broadcast its annual cropping seminar series Jan. 6, 2021, at several locations in the Golden Triangle of central Montana.

Speakers will cover topics such as grasshopper control, antagonistic effects of herbicides, management of herbicide-resistant weeds, and farm and ranch safety.

Viewing locations will be in Chester, Choteau, Conrad, Cut Bank, Denton, Fort Benton, Great Falls, Havre and Shelby. Producers viewing these events in person should plan to adhere to current local and state COVID-19 guidelines. Some locations will host a live presenter at lunch. Attendees must RSVP to their local Extension office by Jan. 4 to attend an in-person event. 

There is no charge for seminars, and all interested producers are encouraged to attend. Seminars will run from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. To view presentations at home after the event, producers can contact local Extension offices for access to the broadcast recording.

Both commercial and private pesticide licensing recertification credits will also be available with in-person attendance or with viewing a recording at a local Extension office.Gary Adams, state plant health director with the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, will discuss the cooperative grasshopper and Mormon cricket suppression program, approved control methods for those species, and 2021 control programs. Other potential topics include grasshopper surveying and management and possible cost share programs.

Tim Seipel, MSU Extension cropland weed specialist, will examine antagonistic effects of herbicides. Seipel will speak specifically on tank mixing and important points to consider for herbicide chemistries.

Lovreet Shergill, assistant professor of weed science at MSU’s Southern Agricultural Research Center, will present “Management of Herbicide Resistant Weeds in Montana Cropping Systems.” Shergill will discuss integrated weed management tactics to manage problematic weeds such as kochia, Russian thistle, wild oats, prickly lettuce, sow thistle, Canada thistle and more.Austin Grazier, director of agricultural safety with the Montana Agriculture Safety Program, will cover farm and ranch safety while highlighting ATV safety.  

Locations and contact numbers for each cropping seminar are listed below

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

• Denton: Denton Town Hall, 515 Broadway. Contact Katie Hatlelid at 406-566-2277.
• Havre: Hill County Fairgrounds 4-H Chuckwagon, 1676 U.S. Highway 2 W. Contact Tom Allen at 406-265-5481, ext. 233.
• Chester: Our Savior’s Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall, 10 E. Madison Ave. Contact Jesse Fulbright at 406-759-5625.
• Cut Bank: Cut Bank Elk’s Club, 18 S. Central Ave. Contact Kari Lewis at 406-466-2491.
• Shelby: Comfort Inn Conference Room, 455 McKinley Ave. Contact Kim Woodring at 406-424-8350.
• Choteau: Stage Stop Inn, 1005 Main Ave. N. Contact Karen Forseth at 406-466-2491.
• Great Falls: Cascade County MSU Extension, 3300 Third St. N.E., No. 9, Great Falls. Contact Rose Malisani at 406-454-6980. 

MSU Extension is an ADA/EO/AA/Veteran’s preference employer and provider of educational outreach.

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