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!

2019 Dry Bean Trial Results

The 2019 dry bean trial field day at the Lucerne location was presented virtually. To view the video, click here. To view the dry bean crops testing web page and access past technical reports, click here.

Do Plants Get a Virus?

Virus infections can not only occur in people, but plants as well. However, people and plant viruses are not the same nor do they cross infect. In other words, viruses that infect plants will not infect people. Additionally, most virus diseases need a vector, which is the way they are transported. Thus, stopping the spread (stopping the vector) of a virus will control it.

Click here for more information

CSU Wheat Decision Tree for Dryland and Irrigated Varieties

Wheat decision trees are created to help producers quickly identify specific wheat varieties based on key characteristics. These characteristics include red or white wheat, herbicide tolerance, sawfly resistance and maturity date. Click here to view the dryland and irrigated decision trees.

To find detailed information regarding wheat variety trial results and annual publications, click here to go to the CSU Crops Testing Program Winter Wheat web site.

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.

Agronomy Agent Corner

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.