Freeport, IL--Well, here we go again. The 2019 growing season has been another challenging one for producers in Northern IL. A cold, wet spring prevented us from getting the crop in the ground, and extensive late-season precipitation and cool temperatures has delayed us in getting it out of the field and into the bin. “Prolonged periods of excessive moisture caused a wide-variety of problems for producers in Northern Illinois. Many acres were not able to get planted and in those that did, producers had to deal with unfit planting conditions and nutrient deficiencies among other issues. This was another in a string of challenging years in agriculture” Commercial Agriculture Educator Phillip Alberti said.

However, with problems come solutions and it is for that reason the University of Illinois Extension is pleased to announce the second annual Northwest Illinois Agronomy Summit that will be held at Highland Community College Conference Center in Freeport, IL on January 14th, 2020, with registration beginning at 8 a.m. and the program running from  8:30 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. The theme for this year’s conference is Updates in Nutrient and Pest Management with University of Illinois and University of Wisconsin-Madison specialists discussing strategies for weed, pest, disease, and nutrient management.

Due to the dramatic increase in incidence and severity of water hemp across the state, there have been many questions about proper herbicide programs. To help raise awareness about this problem and how producers can combat it, Dr. Rodrigo Werle, Weed Scientist from the University of Wisconsin Madison will be presenting at this program. In addition, Daniel Smith, Nutrient and Pest Management Specialist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison will discuss nutrient management in a challenging year and how these decisions impact future growing seasons.

While this event is most suited for our producers, there will be CEU’s available for our Certified Crop Advisors (CCAs), including the categories of nutrient and pest management. Those interested in viewing a complete agenda or attending the summit may register online at go.illinois.edu/AgSummit or by calling the University of Illinois Extension-Stephenson County at 815-235-4125.

The cost of the program is $30, which includes a light breakfast and lunch. Pre-registrations are encouraged due to limited seating. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this program, please contact the Extension Office, early requests are strongly encouraged to allow enough time for meeting your access needs. For additional questions, contact Phillip Alberti, Crop Science Educator with University of Illinois Extension in the College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences at palberti@illinois.edu, 815-599-3644 or on Twitter (@NorthernILCrops).