ADA, Ohio - Farmers looking to cut production costs while improving their environmental impact may find such opportunities through research information, management practices and technology updates being highlighted at the annual Conservation Tillage and Technology Conference, Feb. 25-26 at Ohio Northern University in Ada, Ohio.
The conference will cover a wide range of topics including agriculture-related panel discussions, strip till research, weed and pest management, soil fertility, GMO crops, value-added farming, crop consulting, soil and water quality issues, precision agriculture and producer programs. The event is being sponsored by Ohio State University Extension, Northwest Ohio Soil and Water Conservation Districts, United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA Farm Service Agency and the Ohio No-Till Council.
"The conference is designed to help farmers become more profitable and more environmentally responsible using conservation tillage and other technologies," said Randall Reeder, an Ohio State Extension agricultural engineer. "It's a fact that sediment is still the number one pollutant in terms of volume and it also carries chemicals that are attached to it. Keeping the soil on the land where it belongs not only minimizes environmental damage, but maintains soil quality. Topsoil is a farmer's most valuable resource." Over 50 speakers from land-grant universities, the farming sector and agricultural industries and organizations will be speaking at the two-day conference. Highlights include a discussion of the 2002 Farm Bill, the latest in GMO crops from Monsanto and a presentation by Ohio State geologist Lonnie Thompson on the effect glaciers have on the land.
"We have topics that target livestock farmers, a group that you wouldn't think would be interested in a conservation tillage program. But there will be several topics related to livestock operations that have a heavy emphasis on environmental quality, such as composting," said Reeder.
Conference sponsors are also offering sessions on soil and water quality issues targeted specifically to crop consultants. " This one day session will likely give them the desired five CCA (Certified Crop Advisor) credits, which are pretty difficult to come by," said Reeder.
Early registration is $20 per day or $30 to attend both days. Registration after Feb. 11 is $30 a day or $40 for both days. For a copy of the agenda, registration information, or directions to Ohio Northern University, contact the Hancock County Ohio State Extension office at (419) 422-3851 or the Allen County Soil and Water Conservation District at (419) 223-0040.