Part One: In the morning, examine comparisons of different cropping systems’ use of inputs, economic returns and energy use. Explore methods for avoiding soybean Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS). Learn about the effectiveness of methods to encourage weed seed predators. Hear from Matt Liebman and Craig Chase, along with Panora farmer Earl Hafner, who will speak about how he is using these various methods on his farm to improve his profits, decrease costs and increase his environmental sustainability.

Part Two: After lunch, see a history of corn breeding demo plot. Discover how to interpret yield trial results. Learn about improved organic and non-gmo corn hybrids. Review initial results for a comparison of Entomopathogenic fungi in organic and conventional farm soils. Plus, again this year, visit the Tradeshow. Speakers will include Matt Liebman, Wallace Chair for Sustainable Agriculture; Earl Hafner, farmer, Panora, IA; Craig Chase, ISU Value-Added Extension; Eric Clifton, graduate assistant; ISU Entomology Jim Rouse, Executive Director, Iowa Crop Improvement Association
Discussion Topics:
-Agronomic, environmental, economic and energetic comparison of three cropping systems
-Avoiding soybean Sudden Death Syndrome
-Weed seed predators
-Making crop rotations work
-Corn breeders and retailers corn demonstration and tradeshow
-What do yield trial results tell me?
-See a history of corn development
-Comparison of entomopathogenic fungi in organic and conventional farm soils

Visit Practical Farmers of Iowa for more information.