The opening General Session is entitled, The Effects of Higher Energy Prices on Agriculture. The keynote address will be given by Minnesota House Rep. Al Junhke of Willmar. The representative will elaborate on the role state government has played in legislating energy policies affecting agriculture in his presentation titled, “Renewable Energy and Government: Past, Present, and Future.” The other three speakers of the General Session are:

• The New Nitrogen Recommendations and how they will affect Minnesota Agriculture? Dr. John Lamb, Dept. of Soil, Water, and Climate, University of Minnesota

• Oil and Gas Markets: Pricing and Potential Interactions with Economic Activity. Dr. Don Hanson, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois

• How will Increased Energy Prices affect the Fertilizer Industry? Bruce Vernon, Director of Crop Nutrients Marketing, Agriliance, St. Paul, Minnesota

Concurrent sessions will follow on Monday afternoon and continue all day Tuesday, November 22. Topics offered on Monday afternoon will discuss grain marketing delivery and renewable energy sources, current research on head blight in small grains, fungicidal effects of glyphosate on small grains, soybean rust update, improved sprayer technology for penetrating the soybean canopy, and glyphosate resistance in weed management. On Tuesday, 14 different speakers will address topics in:

Soybean Disease Management: fungicide use, soybean viruses, and Sudden Death Syndrome in soybeans.

Crop Management: Roundup Ready alfalfa for 2006, corn hybrids for ethanol plants, and agriculture’s vulnerability to weather.

Nutrient Management: iron choloris, N application using remote sensing, keeping public water safe

Insect & Nematode Management: Extended diapause of NCR, soybean rust fungicides impacting soybean aphids, tank mixing of pesticides, and managing soybean cyst nematode.

Online registration is available at this web address along with information on location, lodging suggestions, and CEUs being offered. All concurrent sessions will run for 50 minutes and offer 1.0 CEU/topic in the designated category appearing in the CPM program. A CCA application for CEUs will be made to the Minnesota CCA Board.

Early registration (before November 18) for the two-day program is $190. One-day registration is $140, for either day. After November 18 the two-day registration fee will be $215 and $165 for one day.

If you do not have access to the Internet and would like a registration form or more information about the CPM Short Course, call 612-625-2778 or email at cavan008@tc.umn.edu. Register early to avoid the late fee and to ensure your place at the CPM short course.