First Sugar Beet Diagnostic School Set For Aug. 6 in Saginaw
7/9/08
Contact: Laura Probyn
517-432-1555, ext. 175
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Growing sugar beets brings a unique set of challenges. Growers and agribusiness representatives who want to get the latest information about sugar beet pests, weeds, diseases and fertility can attend the first Sugar Beet Diagnostic School Aug. 6 at the Michigan Sugar Blumfield Piling Ground and Research Station at the corner of M-46 and Gera Road in Saginaw.
At the event, which will run from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., growers can interact with Michigan State University (MSU) Extension specialists and Michigan Sugar company researchers and agronomists in small-group sessions. Participants may earn four certified crop adviser credits. Approval is pending on restricted-use pesticide applicator credits.
Participants will visit four diagnostic sites. The school will begin with a discussion of and practice in diagnosing sugar beet diseases, including Cercospora, Rhizomania, Fusarium and Rhizoctonia. The speakers will be Linda Hanson, a U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service plant pathologist; Willie Kirk, an MSU Extension plant pathology specialist; and Ralph Fogg, Michigan Sugar agronomist.
At the plant fertility site, participants will learn how to recognize and manage nutrient deficiencies and injury in sugar beets. Presenters will be Steve Gower, weed science diagnostician with MSU Diagnostic Services; Tim Boring, MSU crop and soils technician; and Corey Guza, Michigan Sugar agronomist.
Chris Difonzo, George Bird and Lee Hubbel will provide information about dealing with insect and nematode pests of sugar beets. Difonzo, an MSU Extension entomology specialist, will show examples of many insects that can injure sugar beets and discuss management options. Bird, MSU nematologist, will talk about strategies for controlling sugar beet cyst nematodes, and Hubbel, a Michigan Sugar researcher, will discuss the company’s studies of insecticides for managing wireworms, lygus bugs, white grubs and nematodes.
James Stewart, a Michigan Sugar research agronomist, and Christy Sprague, MSU Extension specialist and associate professor of crop and soil sciences, will offer information on diagnosing and remedying herbicide injury to sugar beets at the final site.
The $50 registration fee is due Aug. 1 and will include lunch and handouts. To register, contact the Saginaw County MSU Extension office at 989-758-2500.
The Sugar Beet Diagnostic School is sponsored by MSU Extension, the Sugarbeet Advancement and Michigan Sugar.
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