Wisconsin Soybean News

Strip Tillage Panel Will Share Ideas at Corn/Soy EXPO

WISCONSIN DELLS –– Strip tillage is quickly gaining favor with corn and soybean growers across the Midwest and several Wisconsin producers will share their tips and techniques for adopting this technology on their operations during an educational breakout session planned for this winter’s Corn/Soy EXPO Wisconsin Dells.

University of Wisconsin Extension Soils Outreach Program Manager Dick Wolkowski will lead the session which runs Thursday, January, 24, at 1:30 p.m., and repeats at 4:30 p.m. Wolkowski will provide an overview of strip tillage, its benefits and challenges, while growers will discuss their experiences with strip tillage. The panel includes Tom Gillis, from Roberts; Charles Hammer of Beaver Dam, and; Mark Schroeder of Deforest.

The strip tillage session is one of many educational breakout sessions taking place at the annual Corn/Soy EXPO, which runs Thursday, January 24, through Friday, January 25, at the Kalahari Conference Center, Wisconsin Dells. A group of University of Wisconsin Extension Specialists will present sessions on corn pests and soybean pests and the economics of fungicide use on corn.

Mike North, market analyst with First Capital Ag, will lead a marketing session on corn and soybean price drivers in the current marketplace and Ed Ruff, from the Southwest Wisconsin Technical College, discusses crop insurance intricacies. Private consultant Andy Briggs returns with an encore discussion on precision agriculture applications and brings along clients to share their experiences with this news technology.

Exclusive sessions for women have been expanded for this year’s educational program, due to their popularity last year. Consultants from Stewart-Peterson are conducting both a marketing basics class and an advanced marketing session for women and a special grilling session is planned in conjunction with the Wisconsin Pork Association. All three women’s breakout sessions are free of charge and registration isn’t required to attend.

This year’s program includes a key note address by John Phipps, host of America’s longest-running farm TV show U.S. Farm Report, a farm bill update and presentation by Elwynn Taylor, Iowa State University agricultural meteorologist. A special afternoon informational session on nitrogen management for corn growers is planned with Ken Ferrie, Farm Journal field agronomist.

Both days of Corn/Soy EXPO Wisconsin Dells start with “early bird” marketing outlook sessions and updates on association activities. Thursday’s marketing session features DTN Senior Analyst Darin Newsom while University of Wisconsin Agricultural Economist Randy Fortenbury presents Friday morning. Annual meetings of Wisconsin Soybean Association, Wisconsin Corn Growers Association, Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board and the Wisconsin Corn Promotion Board also are part of this event. A large industry trade show runs in conjunction with the annual Corn/Soy EXPO Wisconsin Dells. A Friday sit-down luncheon features a special, entertaining speaker.

This annual event is a great opportunity for corn and soybean growers to mix business with family time at a popular Wisconsin winter destination. Admission to the Pork Producers Taste of Elegance reception is included as part of Corn/Soy EXPO and a special overnight, standard room rate at the Kalahari of $99 is available for registered conference attendees.

Program brochures and registration materials are available online for downloading as PDF files at www.wisoybean.org and www.wicorn.org or by calling the WASA office at 608-223-1111. Secure, on-line registration for Corn/Soy EXPO also is available by going to www.acteva.com/go/cornsoy .