by Todd Wineburner

Livingston County Farm Bureau Manager Teresa Grant-Quick says Tuesday is going to be a big day for agri-business professionals, as the farm bureau hosts Agronomy Day at the extension offices in Pontiac. In the past, the extension has hosted the event, but this year the farm bureau takes the reins and presents a day of information that starts at 8:45 with coffee and doughnuts. The presentations will follow this schedule:

9:00  A discussion of cover crops with Dr. Shalamar Armstrong from the Illinois State University department of agriculture

9:50  Jay Whalen, a seed specialist from ProHarvest Seeds will discuss cover crop management

10:40  Dr. Jim Angel, the Illinois State Climatologist, will discuss the drought of 2012 and the weather prospects for 2013

11:30  Terry Bachtold of the Livingston County Soil and Water Conservation district will give an Indian Creek Watershed Update

The afternoon session will include a discussion of herbicides, pesticides, fungicides, and insecticides with Dr. Jeff Bunting of GROWMARK at 12:30, with a discussion of crop insurance rounding out the day at 1:20.

Registration for Agronomy Day activities is Friday, March 1st. Contact the farm bureau at 815-842-1103 to get more information or sign up. You can also register via email at livcfb@yahoo.com.