By VICKI JOHNSON
Ohio Correspondent

ADA, Ohio — “Corn University,” an in-depth study of corn production, is new this year to the annual Ohio State University Conservation Tillage and Technology Conference (CTC) Feb. 26-27, at the McIntosh Center of Ohio Northern University.

The five-hour program is to take place 1:15-6:35 p.m. Feb. 26 and is designed to educate producers on subjects such as super-high yields, transgenics, continuous corn with no-till and strip-till, silage and maximum profit versus maximum yield.

“The purpose of the corn program is to help good corn producers become excellent corn producers,” stated Randall Reeder in a news release. He is an OSU extension agricultural engineer and one of the conference organizers who works with the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center.

Corn University is one of more than 100 sessions from nearly 60 presenters – ranging from farmers to industry professionals and university experts – who plan to teach conservation tillage topics to assist with saving money, managing production, using cover crops, increasing soil fertility, managing nutrients, managing crops, protecting soil and water, scouting and precision agriculture.

Among the featured speakers in the general session at 9:30 a.m. Feb. 26 is Jim Moseley, former USDA deputy secretary, who plans to speak on Agriculture in a New Political Environment. Also in the general session is Elwynn Taylor, Iowa State University agricultural meteorologist, speaking on Managing Risk Based on Weather Patterns and Matt Roberts, OSU extension ag economist, talking about grain marketing.

The CTC also provides first detector training for the National Plant Diagnostic Network at 1:15 p.m. Feb. 26, to educate producers and crop advisers on monitoring high-risk pests, submitting diagnostic samples and photography for diagnosis.

The first day includes a full day on the subject of cover crops (in addition the Science of Cover Crop Benefits program Feb. 25). A six-hour session on precision agriculture is scheduled for Feb. 27 to provide farmers with information on yield maps, auto-steering, RTK networks, site-specific sampling and variable rate application. The second day also includes a wheat management program by Phil Needham of Calhoun, Ky.

Last year, nearly 770 farmers, crop consultants and industry representatives attended the conference. According to a news release, farmers valued the education they received at $16 per acre, roughly a $4 million value. Crop consultants place a value on their educational experiences at $15 per acre for the land they influence, a total economic impact of about $250 million.
Crop certified adviser credits will be offered.

Sponsors include OSU extension, the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Northwest Ohio Soil and Water Conservation Districts, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA Farm Service Agency and the Ohio No-Till Council.
Registration before Feb. 15 is $40 per day or $60 for both. After Feb. 15, the one-day price is $50, and to attend two is $70. For more registration and program information, visit http://hancock. osu.edu/ag/ctc/ctc.htm or call 419-422-3851.