AMES – Registration is now open for the 2014 Crop Advantage Series meetings.

Sponsored by Iowa State University Extension, the meetings will be held at 13 locations across Iowa during January 2014.

Each of the meetings is approved for certified crop adviser continuing education credits. Each location also offers the opportunity for private pesticide applicators to receive continuing education credits.

Early registration for each location is $35 and includes workshop materials, lunch, and refreshments.

Registration less than one week prior or at the meeting increases to $45.

An additional fee is charged for CCA credits and private pesticide applicator recertification.

“The Crop Advantage Series is targeted to providing the latest ISU research information to producers and helping them make profitable decisions for the upcoming growing season,” said Joel DeJong, an ISU Extension field agronomist in northwest Iowa and chair of the planning committee. “Each location has a variety of topics, including crops, pests, soil fertility, and farm management.”

Extension weed specialists Mike Owen and Bob Hartzler will discuss management options when dealing with herbicide resistance as the keynote topic for the 2014 series.

The series locations and primary speakers within the Farm News coverage area are:

A). Jan.6: Sheldon – 10 a.m. at Northwest Iowa Community College-Building A, with Elwynn Taylor and Mike Owen.

Highway 18 West, Sheldon.

B). Jan. 8: Okoboji – 10 a.m. at Arrowwood Resort and Conference Center, 1405 U.S. Highway 71, Okoboji, with Elwynn Taylor and Bob Hartzler.

C). Jan. 9: Mason City – 9 a.m. at North Iowa Area Community College-Beem Forum, 500 College Drive, Mason City, with Chad Hart and Bob Hartzler.

D). Jan. 14: Ames – 9 a.m. at Quality Inn and Suites (Starlite Village), 13th Street and Dayton Ave, Ames, with Bob Hartzler and Elwynn Taylor.

E). Jan. 15: Storm Lake – 10 a.m. at Buena Vista University-Siebens Forum, 610 West 4th St., Storm Lake, with Elwynn Taylor and Bob Hartzler.

F). Jan. 22: Fort Dodge – 9 a.m. at Best Western-Starlite Village Inn & Suites, junction of Iowa Highway 7 and U.S. Highway 169, Fort Dodge, with Mike Owen and Elwynn Taylor.

G). Jan. 28: Le Mars – 10 a.m. at Le Mars Convention Center, 275 12th St. SE, Le Mars, with Bob Hartzler.

H). Jan. 30: Carroll – 9 a.m. at Carrollton Inn 1730 U.S. Highway 71 N, Carroll, with Bob Hartzler and Elwynn Taylor.

Specific workshop topics can be found at the registration website: www.cropadvantage.org.

In addition, each location features a full agenda of workshops that attendees can choose from, developing a personalized meeting agenda.

Program topics that focus on local needs and production issues are selected by the field agronomists for each meeting.

“Each year attendees tell me they wish there were more breakout sessions during the day,” DeJong said. “They are interested in so many of the topics and can’t be at every workshop.

“The topics are in demand. It’s a great problem to have.”

According to Brent Pringnitz, program coordinator with ISU Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension,”The Crop Advantage Series provides a statewide message on important issues yet retains local input on topics for that specific area.

“Crop and pest management issues are different for each area of the state and these meetings are tailored to fit the needs of producers in that area.”

Launched in 2002, the meeting series has impressive attendance numbers.

“We’ve seen tremendous growth for the series,” DeJong said. “Response from producers has been very positive.

“In addition to receiving the latest ISU research information, the meetings have been a valuable way for producers to provide input back to researchers and specialists on what their needs are. It works both ways.”