Crop Production

Agriculture and Natural Resources

The Golden Plains Area Extension Program is at the forefront on agronomic & water research. Our research spans crop production, irrigation efficiency, weed and pesticide management, crop insect control and monitoring, agricultural marketing and much more!

2020 Virtual Wheat Field Days

New realities require new action and we are excited to bring you the next best thing to in-field wheat field days. Dr. Jerry Johnson, a seasoned veteran of crop variety testing, leads off with a short introduction before our nationally renowned CSU wheat breeder, Dr. Scott Haley, set to retire in December, discusses the pros and cons of the varieties in each of two dryland locations and one irrigated trial. Brad Erker, Executive Director of Colorado Wheat highlights progress made in wheat breeding due to uniqueness of farmer support of CWAC and CWRF. Rick Novak, director of CSU seed programs brings us up to date on wheat seed issues. The virtual experience makes it possible for CSU experts on weed science, entomology, and pathology to showcase their strong wheat research and extension activities. Seed companies have contributed informative, short clips on each of their varieties they have entered for testing in the CSU trials.

The virtual field days videos are posted on the CSU Extension YouTube channel as the CSU Wheat Field Days playlist at https://bit.ly/3fDV7YF and links to the videos are also provided on our Crops Testing website at www.csucrops.com.

Three Dicamba Products Cancelled

A decision by the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has issued a ruling that cancels the registration of Xtendimax ®, FeXapan®, and Engenia®. These products are primarily used in dicamba-resistant soybeans and the ruling immediately cancels the sale of these herbicides nationwide. As a result, these products cannot be used in soybeans or other crops.

However, this ruling does not affect the sale of other dicamba type products in other crops, which can continue to be used in accordance with federal label laws.

Pest Survey Updates

New Commercial Application Pesticide Testing Center

Colorado State University Extension and the Colorado Department of Agriculture are announcing a new testing center for commercial pesticide applicator licensing. The new location will be the Kit Carson County Extension office located at 817 15^th St., Burlington, CO 80807. This new center will join other Colorado testing sites that individuals can access to take Colorado’s commercial pesticide applicator tests.

Who needs a commercial pesticide applicator license? Commercial applicator means any person, other than a private applicator, who engages in the business of applying pesticides for hire or operating a device for hire. In other words, if you apply pesticides for a fee, you are a commercial applicator. If you apply pesticides on your own farm only, then a private applicators pesticide license is all that is required. In order to take a commercial pesticide applicator exam, you must follow these steps:

Sign up for your Pesticide Applicator exam through the Metro Institute Website at https://www.metrosignup.com/home.asp.
You will receive an email verifying that you are using a valid email address. The email will also provide you with a link to continue your application process.
The link takes you to a webpage which contains your username/password and a login address for that site. **Print your username/password and keep it somewhere handy! This same username/password will be used if you need to retest due to examination failure OR if you would like to add a category later on.
Provide your employer address or firm name on this page. If self-employed, or not affiliated with a company, type N/A in the Employer field. Click continue.
Select exam categories based on whether you want to test as Qualified Supervisor or Certified Operator. Click continue.

The Colorado Department of Agriculture will review your application and then tell you that you can schedule your test by returning to Metro Institute’s Website. When you return to the Metro site, you will be required to provide your username and password. Select the test site and testing date.

Certified Crop Advisors (CCA)

Contact: Kierra Jewell, CCA Representative

Each season a new group of professionals who voluntarily chose to enhance their skills and knowledge in the field of Agronomy qualify for becoming Certified Crop Advisors. CCA’s pass two comprehensive exams covering nutrient management, soil and water management, integrated pest management, and crop management. Along with contributing to the agronomic community and gaining the required experience, they commit to focus on grower profitability while optimizing and protecting our natural resources.

The International Certified Crop Adviser (ICCA) Program is the largest voluntary, agriculturally oriented certification program in North America. Over 13,000 agronomy professionals have met the standards-exams, experience, education, ethics-set by the American Society of Agronomy (ASA) to become certified.

If you have any questions about the CCA Program or would like to find a local CCA, please visit https://www.certifiedcropadviser.org or contact Kierra at (970)491-6201.