Meeting deadlines can often save you money. Case in point: register for the March 5-6 Conservation Tillage and Technology Conference in Ada, Ohio by Friday (via mail) or by next Wednesday (online) and save at least $15. Hard copy registration forms were mailed to previous attendees and certified crop advisors, while being available in most Ohio Extension and SWCD offices. Online registration can be done at http://ctc.osu.edu Check out the detailed agenda online as well to learn how valuable this program can be for your farm, or if you are a CCA, your business.

Do you want to know more about extreme weather, seeding technology, advanced scouting techniques, nutrient management, water quality, no-till and strip till, cover crops, soil quality or just corn and soybean production.  Juggle your schedule well and you can access information related to most if not all of the subjects mentioned.  

Catch a healthy dose of cover crop insight by being in your seat by 8 a.m. on Tuesday, March 5.   

At 9:35 a.m., Dr. Jerry Hatfield discusses “Thriving in Times of Extreme Weather Patterns.” The United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) researcher earned his degrees studying agricultural climatology at Iowa State University (home of the Cyclones). Hatfield’s research focuses on the interaction of water, nutrients, carbon and light in the response of crops to management systems. Currently, his efforts are directed toward the integration of remotely sensed information for use in management decisions made to enhance agricultural production efficiency.  

Just before lunch, Dr. Hatfield shares his thoughts on “Fitting together the pieces of the agronomic puzzle for Extreme Weather.” His work in agro meteorology evidently earned the respect of the American Society of Agronomy, where he was the first meteorologist elected as the organization’s president. 

With the exception of Hatfield’s first presentation, the CTTC’s agenda offers a smorgasbord of learning opportunities throughout the two-day program. Of course, if your schedule is only open for one day, a single day registration cost is available. 

The remainder of the March 5 program in the chapel meeting area provides a series of talks on the various benefits of cover crops. Soil health, water quality, production efficiency, multi species, and rhizosphere effects are all reviewed. 

The popular “Corn University” returns once again, featuring four state specialists from Purdue, Illinois, Nebraska and Ohio. Another meeting room emphasizes the nutrient management area. Speakers from Kentucky, Purdue, Ohio State and private industry handle a wide diversity of issues.

In yet another room, the focus on crop scouting allows for subjects such as identifying stress in corn, the corn nematode survey of NW Ohio, use of gypsum for soil quality and water infiltration, 4R retailer third party certification, CNMP’s, computer apps and first detector information.

The Wednesday (March 6) agenda is also extensive with the “Soybean School” in one meeting area hosting well known speakers from universities in Illinois, Wisconsin and Ohio. Another set of concurrent sessions in the nutrient management arena is led by specialists from Penn State, Purdue and Ohio State. A third option for attendees to choose from hones in on water quality concerns and features top speakers from Illinois, Purdue and Ohio. The fourth major group deals more with equipment utilized for no-till, strip-till, and seeding technology. 

To gain a better perspective of the CTTC, review the complete agenda; then arrange your schedule to learn from the best experts available to enhance your profitability and conservation efforts.