Illinois Tillage Seminar planned

UTICA — University of Illinois Extension-Bureau, LaSalle, Marshall, Putnam Unit encourages Certified Crop Advisers needing CEU credits to attend the Illinois Tillage Seminar Jan. 25 in Utica. Five CEUs in soil and water management will be available.

Focused on conservation tillage and agronomic stewardship, the seminar will run from 8:50 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 25, at Celebrations 150 in Utica. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.

National-recognized and state-recognized agronomists, environmental leaders and researchers will be featured speakers. The seminars will also include producer panels discussing tillage management.

Topics will include “Nutrient Placement in Strip Till” by University of Illinois associate professor Fabian Fernandez; “Keep it for the Crop 2025 Program” Jean Payne, president at the Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association; and “How to make Soil Smoke!” by resource soil scientist Frank Gibbs.

In addition participants can learn about cover crops and no-till from Mike Plumer, a retired University of Illinois Extension natural resources educator and researcher; post-emergent nitrogen options from Howard Brown, Growmark manager of agronomy services; and drainage water management options from Richard Cooke, an associate professor at the U of I Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering.

A $25 pre-registration fee is due by Jan. 18. Seating is limited, so registration will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis. Individuals can register online at www.ccswcd.com or send their name, check and seminar location to the Champaign County Soil and Water Conservation District at 2110 West Park Court, Suite C, Champaign, IL 61821.

If special accommodations are needed to attend, contact Joe Bybee at jby-bee@wpo.cso.niu.edu. Agri-businesses interested in exhibit space should contact Marty McManus, Illinois Department of Agriculture at Marty.McManus@illinois.gov .

The seminars are co-sponsored by the Association of Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Natural Resource Conservation Service, Illinois Department of Agriculture, University of Illinois Extension, Farm Credit Services and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.

For more information, phone 217-352-3536 or go to www.ccswcd.com.