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A number of current crop issues will be addressed by crops specialists from the St. Paul campus. One of the leading concerns in this part of the state is damage of their 2002 crop from corn rootworm. A high percentage of corn growers complained about corn rootworm pressure causing lodging. Ken Ostlie will discuss Univ. of Minn. trials on rootworm control and the outlook for 2003. He will also cover two relatively new soybean pests - soybean aphid and bean leaf beetle.

Well-known University of Minnesota Soils Specialist George Rehm will discuss root growth of corn and soybeans and how compaction, fertilizer placement, herbicides, etc., effect their development. Time has been set aside for growers to ask George their soil fertility questions.

Soybean agronomist Seth Naeve will explain options for growers considering a rotation other than corn/soybeans. He will also give producers a snapshot of soybean production in South America. Weed control agronomist Jeff Gunsolus will address the issue of herbicide drift and look into his crystal ball regarding weed problems growers will be facing in the future.

The final speaker for the morning program will be regional extension educator Dave Schwartz who will compare strengths and weaknesses of 20- and 30-inch rows.

"These regional meetings, sponsored by the University of Minnesota Extension Service, replace the corn and soybean day programs that were held in each county years ago," according to Schwartz. "We hope growers from the entire area will attend because we are addressing key issues and we are bringing out some of the top people from the St. Paul Campus," says Schwartz.

Growers should arrive early and enjoy coffee and doughnuts sponsored by the local county corn growers organizations. For more information, contact regional extension educator Dave Schwartz at 1-877-993-5275.

(Source: Stearns County Extension Service, 1-800-450-6171 or stearns@extension.umn.edu.)