University of Kentucky specialists will discuss the latest research on integrated pest management during the IPM Training School. The one-day school is March 9 beginning at 8 a.m. CT at the Christian County Extension office in Hopkinsville. Participants may also join via Zoom.  

The training is divided between a grain crops-focused session in the morning and a horticulture session in the afternoon. In each session, participants will receive information on the latest UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment research, new technology and trends.  

The morning sessions will feature presentations from UK specialists in soils, entomology, water quality, plant diseases and forages. Among the presentations are ways to manage challenging soybean diseases and an update on the edge-of-field water quality monitoring program that UK is conducting in Western Kentucky. 

UK specialists in entomology, plant diseases, horticulture and vegetable production will present during the horticulture session. Topics include limiting pests in fruit and vegetable production using exclusion netting and management of persistent soil-borne fungi in vegetables. 

“With high input costs expected during 2022, using IPM is a proven way to optimize nutrient and pesticide inputs while maintaining high yields,” said Ric Bessin, UK extension entomologist. “This meeting will expose participants to recent research conducted at UK to advance field crop and horticultural cropping systems.” 

Whether they plan to attend virtually or in person, individuals should register for the meeting at https://bit.ly/3HQZqxX.  

The training offers continuing education units for pesticide applicators and Certified Crop Advisors. In the grain crops session, applicators may receive two general hours and one specific hour in categories 1A and 10. Certified Crop Advisors may receive the following continuing education units: one in nutrient management, one in integrated pest management and 0.5 in soil and water. For the horticulture session, pesticide applicators may receive one general and one specific hour in categories 1A and 10. Certified Crop Advisors may receive 2.5 hours in integrated pest management.