Dicamba or auxin-specific training was required for the first time last year for anyone who planned to apply Engenia, Xtendimax, or FeXapan herbicides. In-person training in Kansas was provided by the three registrants (BASF, Monsanto, and DuPont) and Kansas State University. On-line training from the registrants was made available later in the spring. At that point in time, it was unclear whether the training was going to be an annual requirement. When the products were re-registered this past fall, it was clearly stated that annual training would be required by anyone who applies those products.  

The Kansas Department of Agriculture has indicated that it is the registrants’ responsibility to provide the training. K-State will not be providing dicamba applicator training this year. The understanding is that BASF, Bayer, and DuPont will be hosting dicamba applicator training meetings this winter/spring and making on-line training available sometime in the near future. Consult with your local Ag product supplier for possible training meeting dates and locations.  

Additional information on dicamba applicator training is available at the following websites:

https://www.engeniastewardship.com/#/training/schedule 

http://www.roundupreadyxtend.com/stewardship/education/Pages/default.aspx

http://www.dupont.com/products-and-services/crop-protection/soybean-protection/articles/fexapan-training.html

https://www.agriculture.ks.gov/divisions-programs/pesticide-fertilizer/dicamba

There are some face-to-face trainings coming up next week in Salina, Hutchinson, Newton, Pratt and Dodge City by Monsanto. You can go to the link below to see the schedule and to register. 

https://www.cvent.com/c/calendar/7829eb5d-ddef-4c2f-ac2c-a67626018ece

Upcoming Agriculture Programs in Cottonwood District

A K-State Sorghum Production school will offer in-depth information for sorghum growers and key stakeholders on Wednesday, February 6th at the Agricultural Research Center in Hays, 1232 240th Avenue. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. the programs starts at 9 a.m. and concludes at 1:30 p.m. Continuing education units for Certified Crop Advisors and Commercial Applicators have been applied for.  

“These schools are being offered with the concept that producers can attend and get all the updates ranging from issues that arose this past growing season to looking ahead to future growing seasons,” said Lucas Haag, K-State agronomy specialist.  

Lunch will be provided courtesy of the Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission. There is no cost to attend, but participants are asked to pre-register by Jan. 29. Online registration is available at www.cottonwood.ksu.edu or by calling us at 785-628-9430. 

The following week on Feb. 12, will be a Farm Land Lease Workshop at the Agricultural Research Center in Hays, 1232 240th Avenue. Registration will be at 1 p.m. and the program will start at 1:30 p.m. and conclude at 3 p.m. 

Mykel Taylor, Extension Ag Economist in Manhattan will be explaining the differences and similarities of various leasing arrangements, crop share, fixed cash rent, flexible leases, and AUM pasture leases. She will discuss active management of the landowner-tenant relationship through effective communication and recognition of incentives. And discuss how to calculate an equitable lease using cost of production budgets, price and yield expectations, and other market based information. 

There is no cost to attend, but we ask that you RSVP by February 11th. Call 620-793-1910 or email Brenda at bwalton@ksu.edu.  All interested people are invited to attend. 

Also that same week will be a Soil Fertility Meeting on Strip-Till Irrigated and Variable Rate Nutrient Management on Thursday, February 14, registration is at 1:30 p.m. the meeting will begin at 2 p.m. and conclude at 4:00 p.m. at American Ag Credit, 5634 10th Street, Great Bend. 

Dorivar Ruiz, Extension Soil Fertility specialist will cover strip-till irrigated fertility management – nitrogen fertilizer recommendations, the role of secondary and micronutrients, crop response to strip-till fertilizer and starter fertilizer and soil sampling considerations. Lucas Haag, NW Area Agronomist will be talking about variable rate nutrient management, and as always there will be plenty time for questions. 

There is no cost to attend, but we ask that you RSVP by February 13. Call 620-793-1910 or email Brenda at bwalton@ksu.edu.

Stacy Campbell is an agriculture and natural resources agent for Cotton Extension District. Email him at scampbel@ksu.edu or call the Cotton Extension District Hays office, 785-628-9430.