Montana State University Extension will host a free, annual cropping seminar series January 6, 2021 in Fort Benton, Denton, Havre, Chester, Shelby, Cut Bank, Conrad, Choteau, and Great Falls. Speakers will cover grasshopper control, antagonistic effects of herbicides, management of herbicide resistant weeds, and farm and ranch safety.
Due to Covid-19, presentations will be broadcast to local locations for viewing. If producers would prefer to view the presentations at home, they can contact their local extension office for the broadcast link. Producers attending the in-person events should plan to adhere to current local and state Covid-19 guidelines.
Gary Adams, the State Plant Health Director with APHIS, will present on the cooperative grasshopper and Mormon cricket suppression program, approved control methods for these species, and potential control programs for 2021. This is a great opportunity for anyone who has questions about grasshopper survey and management or wants to know about possible cost share programs.
Dr. Tim Seipel, MSU Extension Cropland Weed Extension specialist, will present on antagonistic effects of herbicides. Dr. Seipel will touch specifically on tank mixing and important points to consider for herbicide chemistries.
Dr. Lovreet Shergill, Assistant Professor in Weed Science at the MSU Southern Agricultural Research Center, will present, “Management of Herbicide Resistant Weeds in Montana Cropping Systems.” Dr. Shergill will share about developing integrated weed management tactics to manage problematic weeds in Montana cropping systems. Major problematic weeds include kochia, Russian thistle, wild oats, prickly lettuce, sow thistle, Canada thistle etc.
Austin Grazier, Director of Agricultural Safety with the Montana Agriculture Safety Program, will cover farm and ranch safety. Austin will highlight ATV safety.
A brief presentation about diabetes will be included along with information about local resources and future programs being offered. There is no charge for the seminars, and all producers are encouraged to attend. Seminars will begin at 10 a.m. and conclude by 3 p.m. Both commercial and private pesticide licensing recertification credits will be available.
Locations and contact numbers for each cropping seminar are listed below.
• Fort Benton at the Ag Center located at 1205 20th Street. Contact Tyler Lane at 406-622-3751.
• Denton at the Denton Town Hall at 515 Broadway. Contact Katie Hatlelid at 406-566-2277.
• Havre at the Hill County Fairgrounds 4-H Chuckwagon located at 1676 US Highway 2 West. Contact Tom Allen at 406-265-5481, Ext. 233.
• Chester at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall located at 10 East Madison Avenue. Contact Jesse Fulbright at 406-759-5625.
• Cut Bank at the Cut Bank Elk’s Club, 18 S Central Avenue. Contact Kari Lewis, 406-873-2239.
• Shelby at the Comfort Inn Conference Room located at 455 McKinley Avenue. Contact Kim Woodring at 406-424-8350.
• Choteau at the Stage Stop Inn located at 1005 Main Avenue North. Contact Karen Forseth at 406-466-2491.
• Conrad at the Pondera Shooting Sports Complex at 972 Granite Road. Contact Adriane Good at 406-271-4053.
• Great Falls at the Cascade County Extension Office, 3300 3rd ST NE, #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.
