By Rebecca Vittetoe–Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
AMES, Iowa – Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will offer a Field Crop Scout School May 19 at Kirkwood in Cedar Rapids.
The Field Crop Scout School is intended to be a foundational course, providing essential information for effective and efficient crop scouting.
The program features sessions such as corn and soybean growth and development, pest identification, and scouting methods for beginning crop scouts. All speakers are part of ISU Extension and Outreach.
Topics to be covered include:
- Crop scouting tips and tricks – Virgil Schmitt, extension field agronomist.
- Corn and soybean growth and development and staging – Mark Licht, assistant professor of agronomy and cropping systems specialist.
- Crops disease identification – Alison Robertson, professor of plant pathology and extension plant pathologist.
- Weed identification – Meaghan Anderson, extension field agronomist.
- Insect pest identification – Erin Hodgson, professor of entomology and extension entomologist.
- Other crop issues and challenges (nutrient deficiencies, herbicide injury, etc.) – Virgil Schmitt and Rebecca Vittetoe, extension field agronomists.
- Hands-on practice out in the field – Terry Basol, Josh Michel, Clarabell Probasco, Virgil Schmitt, and Rebecca Vittetoe, extension field agronomists
“This Field Crop Scout School is a great opportunity for those wanting to refresh their knowledge and skills, as well as for those new to crop scouting,” said Rebecca Vittetoe. “The educational sessions, hands-on practice out in the field, and field guide publications make this an exceptional value for those looking to increase their toolbox of resources to be better growers or crop scouts.”
The following publications and resources are included with registration to the Field Crop Scout School:
- Soybean Diseases and Corn Diseases booklets.
- Field Crop Insects.
- Early, mid, and late season corn and soybean scouting cards.
- A digital Corn and Soybean Field Guide.
- A digital Weed Identification Field Guide 2nd Edition.
Advance registration is required. The cost of $100 includes above printed and digital publications, lunch, and refreshments. Registration for the course closes May 12, and the course is limited to 70 students.
The Field Crop Scout School will be held at the Kirkwood Community College Horticulture Building (6301 Kirkwood Boulevard Southwest) in Cedar Rapids. Check-in begins at 8:30 a.m., with the program running from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. For more information and to register, visit www.aep.iastate.edu/scout. Contact Agriculture and Natural Resources Program Services at 515-294-6429 or [email protected].
