Strategic Farming - A new webinar series
The Strategic Farming educational program is taking a new turn in 2020. In an effort to expand
opportunities for farmers to gather and learn about research-based, crop production information
throughout the year, University of Minnesota Extension is launching the Strategic Farming –
Optimizing Management for 2020 webinar series December 19, 2019. The fourth season of the
Strategic Farming Program will feature five, one-hour webinars with university specialists and
educators addressing key management topics. You may join live, which enables you to take part
in a question and answer session at the end of each webinar, or tune in later as your schedule
allows. All sessions will be recorded and available for viewing at your convenience.
The primary target audience for the series is farmers, but all interested agricultural professionals,
agency personnel, educators, etc. are welcome to participate as well. There is no fee to join the
webinars, but you will need to register for each “live” webinar individually so you may join the
discussion. Registration is easy, with instructions below.
Strategic Farming: Optimizing Management for 2020, topics and schedule:
December 19, Thursday - A Back to Basics Approach to Nutrient Management, 2:00-3:00
pm
Fertilizer can separate the most profitable producers from the rest of the pack. While fertilizer is
a critical component for high yields, spending too much on fertilizer can really cut into your
bottom line. We will discuss getting fertility right for top yields and maximum profit. Speakers:
Dan Kaiser, Nutrient management specialist and Brad Carlson, Extension educator
January 16, Thursday - Soybean Management for 2020 and Beyond, 12:00 – 1:00 pm
Soybean management can be complex. We will help you sort out what you need, what you don’t
need and what you might want to try. Also, with the advent of insecticide-resistant soybean
aphid, do we need to be rethinking our management strategy? Speakers: Seth Naeve, Soybean
agronomist and Bob Koch, Soybean entomologist
January 29, Wednesday - Cover crops: Matching Your Management Strategies and Goals,
12:00 – 1:00 pm
How can you match cover crops to meet your cropping system goals? Have you wondered if
cover crops can support your nutrient needs? Learn about U of MN cover crop research
addressing these questions and more. Speakers: Axel Garcia y Garcia, Agronomist - Sustainable
cropping systems and Paulo Pagliari, Nutrient management specialist
February 13, Thursday - New Pests and Pathogens Complicate Minnesota Soybean and
Corn Production, 12:00 – 1:00 pm
Will soybean gall midge drive changes in Minnesota soybean production? What are the potential
impacts and risks of tar spot in corn and frogeye leaf spot in soybean? Learn the latest

 information about these new pests in Minnesota crop production. Speakers: Bruce Potter,
Extension IPM specialist, and Dean Malvick, Extension plant pathologist
February 27, Thursday - Hot topics in Weed Management – Putting the Pieces Together,
12:00 – 1:00 pm
With the multitude of crop herbicide resistant trait packages available, chemical weed
management has become more complicated, especially as herbicide resistant weeds continue to
cause management challenges. A good understanding of weed biology and trait package options
along with results from field trials implementing chemical and non-chemical methods will help
you get the most out of your weed management investment. Speakers: Ryan Miller, Extension
Educator, Lisa Behnken, Extension Educator and Tom Peters, Sugarbeet Weed Specialist
How to register
Visit the Strategic Farming: Optimizing management for 2020 webpage for more information
and to register: z.umn.edu/strategic-farming
How it works
Once you register for a webinar in the Strategic Farming series, you'll receive a
confirmation email.
You will also receive reminder emails with a link to the webinar prior to the event. There's
no need to download any apps or programs to join. Simply click on "Launch from my
browser" in the "Join the webinar" window.
You are welcome to register for any and all of the Strategic Farming webinars in the series.
You will need to register for each webinar individually.