CropTalk Series Highlights Crop Health

By Scout Nelson

CropTalk continues to serve as an educational webinar series focused on agronomy topics important to northwest and north central Kansas. The sessions are broadcast live from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Central Time and are delivered through Zoom and YouTube. Registration is required, and links for joining are sent after participants sign up.
One Certified Crop Advisor credit per session has been applied for, supporting ongoing professional development.

• The February 10 session focused on understanding flex leases and was presented by Robin Reid, an Extension agricultural economist. This discussion explained how flexible lease arrangements were used to manage risk and adapt to changing economic conditions.
• The February 17 session will focus on available soil water at planting and related management. Presenters will explain how soil moisture at planting influences crop establishment and yield potential. Management decisions tied to water availability will also be discussed to help guide effective cropping strategies.
• On February 24, the session will examine wheat conditions and breeding efforts related to mosaic viruses. This presentation will review current wheat health challenges and outline breeding approaches aimed at improving resistance and crop performance.
• The March 3 session will address fungicide applications in corn and sorghum. Speakers will explain when fungicides are most effective, how disease pressure influences decisions, and how proper application timing supports crop health.
• The March 10 session will focus on insects to watch for in the field. This discussion will highlight common and emerging insect concerns and explain how monitoring and early identification support effective pest management.

CropTalk sessions are designed to be clear, practical, and accessible. Each webinar connects research with real world field decisions and helps participants stay informed on current agronomic issues. The series continues to support learning, discussion, and sound management practices across Kansas for cropping systems.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-eugenesergeev