By Tracy Courage
U of A System Division of Agriculture
MARIANNA, Ark. — Corn producers will have the opportunity to learn about the latest research and get hands-on training in weed control, insect and disease management, nutrient deficiency identification and more at the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s inaugural Corn College on Aug. 7.
CORN COLLEGE — The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s first Corn College will be on Aug. 7, 2024, in Marianna, Arkansas. (UADA graphic)
The training will be 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Lon Mann Cotton Research Station at 3121 Highway 1 South, Marianna. Check-in begins at 8 a.m. and tours and training start at 8:30 a.m.
“Unlike a regular field day, this is an opportunity for crop consultants, producers and industry professionals to see first-hand corn production programs and have in-depth discussions and hands-on training on issues facing Arkansas growers,” said Jason Kelley, extension corn agronomist for the Division of Agriculture.
Continuing education units will be available and lunch will be provided.
Registration is $100, and the deadline to register is Aug. 2.
No on-site registration will be offered.
Attendees will tour the research station and receive hands-on training in:
weed control programs
insect and disease identification and management
irrigation management
nutrient deficient identification and management
agronomic considerations
Tour stops and topics covered include:
Weed Control — Discussion and showcase of weed control programs with a focus on yellow nutsedge and morning glory control.
Instructor: Tom Barber, extension weed specialist
Disease Management — Common corn disease identification, hybrid susceptibility to foliar diseases, disease management options, and Integrated Pest Management (IPM).
Instructors: Terry Spurlock and Camila Nicolli, extension plant pathologists
Insect Management — Corn borer identification and management, corn earworm (Bt resistance and damage), stored grain insect management, late-season defoliation impacts.Instructors: Glenn Studebaker, Ben Thrash and Nick Bateman, extension entomologists
Irrigation Practices — Irrigation scheduling with Watermark sensors and the mobile app, telemetry for sensors, feel method, types of sensors for irrigation, sap flow, and irrigation initiation and termination for corn.Instructor: Chris Henry, irrigation specialist
Agronomics — Growth and development, corn DD50 program, short stature corn, pollination issues, use of drones for plant stand evaluation.
Instructors: Jason Kelley, extension agronomist; Chuck Capps, corn verification coordinator; Jason Davis, remote sensing extension specialist
Fertility Programs — Corn response to potassium; identifying common nutrient deficiencies in corn including potassium and zinc; comprehensive corn nutrient management for optimal yields and profitability. Pre-tassel crop nitrogen status and fertilizer need assessment using drones.
Instructors: Gerson Drescher, Trent Roberts and Aurelie Poncet, soil and precision ag specialists
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on X and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu/. Follow on X at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on X at @AgInArk.