Emerging Innovation in Plant Breeding and Technologies - A Peek at the Future | Ben Rogers, Pioneer Field Agronomist

Ben's keynote address will focus on innovations on the horizon including developments in genetics including disease tolerance and trait technology to help manage crop pests and reduced stature corn. Discussion will include pest pressure management through AI and data learning tools to help growers make timely and informed decisions about pest management practices. He will also introduce new innovations coming for a more sustainable product placement methodology as well as fungicide application and seeding rate decision making.

Managing Herbicide-Resistant Weeds in NY Corn & Soybean | Dr. Vipam Kumar, NYS Extension Weed Scientist, Cornell University
New invasive weed species such as palmer amaranth and waterhemp (pigweeds) are rapidly spreading across NYS. Several populations of these pigweeds have recently been identified with multiple herbicide resistance. In addition, horseweed and Italian ryegrass populations have also developed resistance to commonly used herbicides. Dr. Kumar will provide an up-to-date overview of herbicide resistant weeds in NY cropping systems, highlight results from ongoing field projects evaluating alternative chemical tools and non-chemical management strategies for controlling herbicide-resistant weeds.

Livestock Risk Protection (LRP) Insurance Program | KC Slade, Risk Management Specialist, Farm Credit East—Crop Growers
LRP is federally subsidized risk management program designed to protect against a decline in livestock prices, allowing producers to set a price floor and mitigate risk from marketplace volatility (producers' price doesn't affect indemnity). LRP insures a wide variety of livestock including: fed cattle, feeder cattle and swine.

Birds & the Bees Legislation and the Fate of Neonics | Janice Degni, Extension Field Crop Specialist For the past 20 years neonicotinoid insecticides have been reliable seed treatments to help control both below and above ground insect pests since they translocate. It is believed that they have contributed to pollinator and bee decline. Additionally, the high solubility, persistence and toxicity of these products to aquatic insects is harming aquatic food chains.

Emerging Disease Pests and Soil Borne Diseases of Soybean | Dr. Camilo Parada Rojas, NYS Extension Plant Pathologist, Cornell University Meet Dr. Parada, our new Extension Field Crop Plant Pathologist, replacing Dr. Gary Bergstrom who retired. Dr. Parada will give an update on the status of Tar Spot in NY corn fields. He will review soil borne diseases in soybeans with a focus on white mold and Southern rust in corn, an emerging threat will be addressed.

Solar Farms—Benefit or Detriment? |Mr. Michael McMahon, Chair, Homer Town Planning Board 

A thought provoking presentation on the challenges of solar development on productive farmland. What is driving solar development? How will NYS meet competing goals of expanding solar farms and dairy processing plant expansion in the state. How will we meet the demand for milk production at the rate we are losing farmland.