Sugar Beet Strip Till

 Strip tillage, which is attracting intense grower interest nationally, will top the agenda when University of Idaho Extension delivers a full day of workshops Jan. 8 during the 2010 Snake River Sugar Beet Conference in Twin Falls. Members of a grower panel will share their experiences with strip tillage—which limits tilling to the narrow strip in which seeds are planted.

The University of Idaho’s Weed Science Specialist Dr. Don Morishita explains strip tillage: “Strip tillage has also been known as ridge till but it’s the same thing where rather than tilling up the entire field, just a narrow band about 7-9” wide is tilled and that also prepares a seed bed and just a small portion of the field is actually tilled.”

Soil scientists Amber Moore of University of Idaho Extension and David Tarkalson of the USDA Agricultural Research Service will be at the meeting to discuss their recent nutrient-management research in strip-tilled and other systems. Orthman Manufacturing agronomist Mike Petersen will provide additional insights into strip-tillage nutrient management and agronomics from an industry perspective. Other topics for sugar beet growers will include insecticide seed treatments, pesticide applicator software, impacts of over-irrigation, refining nitrogen inputs, maintaining planters, and identifying and controlling sugar beet diseases. For Roundup Ready® sugar beet production, speakers will discuss tank-mixture economics, Roundup application timing and nitrogen’s influence on weed control. A special Spanish-language segment will cover pesticide training, worker protection safety, phosphorus management and a disease update.

 The workshops will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the College of Southern Idaho’s Shields Building. Costs, which include lunch, are $20 for those who pre-register by Dec. 31 and $25 at the door. Certified Crop Advisor credits and Pesticide Applicator Recertification credits for both Idaho and Oregon will be available.

 To pre-register, call Kathy Garofano or Tamie Keeth at (208) 736-3600. For more information on the workshops, contact Morishita at (208) 736-3616 or don@uidaho.edu .