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!
Colorado State University Extension is planning to offer the 2021 Eastern Colorado Crop Production Conference virtually over a two-week time period. The dates will be November 30th through December 3rd and December 7th through December 10th. Webinar presentations will be held for two-hour time blocks each day from 9:00 – 11:00am, Mountain Standard Time.
Specific topic details will be announced as conference planning continues.
Crop Consultants may earn up to 16 continuing education units (CEU). Commercial pesticide applicators may earn category credits on Agriculture Insect Control (101), Plant Disease (102), and Agriculture Weed Control (103).
The registration fee for the two-week conference is $80, or $10 per credit/presentation. More conference details will be posted as planning develops.
Agrivoltaics
Can food production occur in concert with solar power generation? Recent advancements and interest in solar generated power has some asking “will large solar panel projects decrease available land for crop production?” Continue reading HERE
Can I Save Wheat Seed?
Throughout the ages, farmers have planted seed saved from their previous wheat crop. When making seed wheat decisions, they selected the best quality seed from the highest yielding varieties. Choosing wheat varieties based on yield and quality continues, but now seed decisions include a new considerations.
With the passage of the US Plant Variety Protection Act in 1970, congress encouraged private investment into development of new plant varieties, including wheat. That investment is now paying off in the form of new and improved wheat genetics. However, an important component of this act was the farmer’s right so save seed from some varieties. Section 113 of the act states, “It shall not infringe any right hereunder for a person to save seed produced by the person from seed obtained, or descended from seed obtained, by authority of the owner of the variety for seeding purposes and use such saved seed in the production of a crop for use on the farm …”
Click here to read the full article
Pesticide Applicator Renewal Credits
Click here for information regarding Private Pesticide Applicator and Commercial Pesticide Applicator credits through the Colorado Department of Agriculture.
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 15th 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.
Click here for more information
GPA Agronomy Articles
Wheat
- Saving Wheat Seed
- CSU Wheat Decision Tree for Dryland and Irrigated Varieties
- 2020 Virtual Wheat Field Days
- Testing Wheat for Life
- Preventing Wheat Streak Mosaic
- Saving Wheat Seed
- Wheat Planting
- Wheat Seed Treatment Recommended
- How Weed Resistance Develops
Sunflowers
Pest Survey Updates
- Time to scout for western bean cutworm moth in Colorado
- Time for checking your alfalfa fields for weevils and webworm infestations
- 2020 Grasshopper populations in Colorado
More Information
- Do Plants Get a Virus?
- Certified Crop Advisors
- Dicamba Use Requirements
- Colorado Crops Testing Program
- USDA Reopens Continuous CRP Signup
- Economic And Environmental Potential Of High Plains Cover Crop
- Keeping Safety in Mind When Entering Grain Bins
- CSU Receives Grant for Crop Research
Agronomy Agent Corner
- Agronomy Agent Corner – Article 1
- Agronomy Agent Corner – Article 2
- Agronomy Agent Corner – Article 3
- Agronomy Agent Corner – Article 4
- Agronomy Agent Corner – Article 5
- Agronomy Agent Corner – Article 6
- Agronomy Agent Corner – Article 7
- Agronomy Agent Corner – Article 8
- Agronomy Agent Corner – Article 9
- Agronomy Agent Corner – Article 10
- Agronomy Agent Corner – Article 11
- Agronomy Agent Corner – Article 12
- Agronomy Agent Corner – Article 13
- Agronomy Agent Corner – Article 14
- Agronomy Agent Corner – Article 15
- Agronomy Agent Corner – Article 16
- Agronomy Agent Corner – Article 17
- Agronomy Agent Corner – Article 18
