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!

Wheat Observations May 2021

Recently the Colorado State University Extension’s cropping systems team traveled throughout eastern Colorado making stops at the Collaborative On-farm Trials (COFT trials).  These are on-farm wheat variety trials that test newer wheat varieties.  Approximately 15 wheat fields were inspected for production issues from Prowers County north to Sedgwick County… MORE

CSU Wheat Field Days 2021

CSU Wheat Field Days will begin on June 10 in Walsh, Lamar and Brandon and continue with stops on June 11^th at Burlington and Genoa; June 14^th at Orchard and Roggen; and June 15^th at Julesburg, Holyoke, and Yuma with Akron site is tentatively set for June 16^th. For more information, read the press release HERE.

Sunflower Update

Colorado State University Extension and Kansas State University Extension recently hosted a Sunflower Production Update webinar. Click here to view the Sunflower Production Update presentation by Ron Meyer. To view a YouTube recording of the event, click here.

Agronomy Agent Corner

• Agronomy Agent Corner – Article 15
• Agronomy Agent Corner – Article 16
• Agronomy Agent Corner – Article 17
• Agronomy Agent Corner – Article 18

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 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:

1. Sign up for your Pesticide Applicator exam through the Metro Institute Website at https://www.metrosignup.com/home.asp.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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

• 2021 Sunflower Update
• Advances in Sunflower Breeding and Production

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