COVINGTON, In. - Area farmers and agricultural professionals are invited to attend a one-day crops conference featuring leading experts from Illinois and Indiana who will share the latest research and management strategies to improve crop production and profitability. The conference will be held on December 12 at the Beef House (Oak Room) at 10:00 a.m. and will run until 2:30 p.m. (EST), with a one-hour lunch included in the conference price.
The event begins with a welcome from event coordinator Tricia Herr, followed by presentations from university specialists on nitrogen and sulfur fertilization, short-stature corn hybrids, and disease management in corn and soybeans.
Conference agenda
- 9–10:00 a.m. (EST) – Registration
- 10–10:05 a.m. – Welcome – Tricia Herr
- 10:05–10:55 a.m. – “Nitrogen and Sulfur Fertilization in Illinois: What Research Is Telling Us”
Giovani Preza Fontes, Illinois Field Crop Research and Extension Specialist - 11–11:50 a.m. – “Agronomic Management of New Short-stature Corn Hybrids in Indiana”
Dan Quinn, Purdue Extension corn specialist - 11:50 a.m.–noon – Q&A, surveys and break
- Noon–12:50 p.m. – Lunch (included with registration)
- 1–1:50 p.m. – “Managing Emerging and Established Diseases in Corn and Soybean”
Boris Camiletti, Illinois Field Crop Pathology and Extension Specialist - 1:55–2:20 p.m. – Regulatory topic
- 2:20–2:30 p.m. – Surveys and dismissal
Session highlights
- Fertilizer management: Giovani Preza Fontes will discuss recent findings on nitrogen and sulfur fertilization in Illinois cropping systems, including N timing for soybeans and nutrient strategies for conservation systems such as strip-till, no-till, and cover crops.
- Corn production: Purdue’s Dan Quinn will share insights from trials comparing short-stature and full-stature corn hybrids, exploring how row spacing, seeding rate, and nitrogen management affect performance.
- Disease management: Field crop pathologist, Boris Camiletti, will outline approaches to managing key corn and soybean diseases, including tar spot, red crown rot, and southern rust, focusing on fungicide timing, integrated crop protection, and digital tools for better decision-making.
“This conference brings together some of the most knowledgeable crop specialists in the region,” said Herr. “Our goal is to give farmers practical, research-based information they can take home and apply to their own operations this growing season.”
The cost to attend is $35, payable by cash or check at the door. Lunch is included. Certified Crop Adviser CEUs, Indiana PARP credits, and Indiana Commercial CCHs will be available.
For more information or to reserve a spot, contact Tricia Herr at 765-364-6363 or triciaherr@purdue.edu or visit go.illinois.edu/BiStateCrops. Please RSVP by Monday, December 8, 2025.
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 700 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through six program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, family and consumer science, integrated health disparities, and natural resources, environment, and energy.
Purdue Extension enriches Indiana communities through comprehensive programs in Agriculture and Natural Resources, promoting sustainable practices; Health and Human Sciences, enhancing well-being; Community Development, fostering economic growth; and 4-H and Youth Development, empowering the next generation. We deliver practical, research-based information that enhances lives and livelihoods.