Crop Management Online Course

This course includes a wide range of topics, from basic agronomics to advanced practices and new research.

Topics

The information provided focuses on field crop systems, including row crop and dairy forages in New York and the northeastern United States. However, many of the agronomic principles covered in the course are applicable to other growing climates and systems.

Nutrient Management
Soil Management
Managing Environmental Risk
Crop Management (by individual crop)
Disease & Insect Management
Weed Management

Who should enroll?

It will be valuable for decision makers and key employees in the cropping system on the farm. Crop advisors and other technical service providers interested in crop production will also benefit from the class. There will be a mix of basic “101” level material combined with more advanced concepts and recent research findings.

There will be aspects of the course that are specific to northeast U.S. growing conditions and cropping systems, but most of the material will be applicable to any dairy or field crop operation.

Instructors

Joe Lawrence
Kirsten Workman
Quirine Ketterings
Aaron Ristow (American Farmland Trust)
Kitty O’Neil
Shawn Bossard
Mike Stanyard
Mike Hunter
Aaron Gabriel
Greg Albrecht (NYSAGM)
Ken Wise
Gary Bergstrom
Erik Smith
Bryan Brown

Course calendar

Week 1: Introduction

Dates:

Start: January 5
Q&A session: January 11 at 1:30 PM EST
Homework and quiz due: January 19

Topics:

Intro to Moodle
Successful Crop Management Strategies

Speakers:

Kathy Barrett
Rob Lynch
Joe Lawrence
Kirsten Workman

Week 2: Nutrient Management

Dates:

Start: January 12
Q&A session: January 18 at 1:30 PM EST
Homework and quiz due: January 26

Topics:

Soil Sampling/Interpretation
Lime
N, P, K Guidelines & Recommendations
Fertilizer & Manure Math

Speakers:

Quirine Ketterings
Kirsten Workman
Joe Lawrence

Week 3: Soil Management

Dates:

Start: January 19
Q&A session: January 25 at 1:30 PM EST
Homework and quiz due: February 2

Topics:

Soil Health: the why and how
Soil Compaction
Tillage Equipment
Equipment Setup & Calibration

Speakers:

Aaron Ristow
Kitty O’Neil
Shawn Bossard
Kirsten Workman

Week 4: Managing Environmental Risk

Dates:

Start: January 26
Q&A session: February 1 at 1:30 PM EST
Homework and quiz due: February 9

Topics:

Understanding pertinent Regulations
Risk Management & Assessment: runoff, leaching
Manure Management
Conservation Practices

Speakers:

Greg Albrecht
Quirine Ketterings
Kitty O’Neil
Aaron Ristow

Week 5: Crop Management

Dates:

Start: February 2
Q&A session: February 8 at 1:30 PM EST
Homework and quiz due: February 16

Topics:

Row and Forage Crop Management Considerations: corn, soybean, wheat, forages
Establishment, In-season Management, Harvest
Grain Storage

Speakers:

Mike Stanyard
Aaron Gabriel
Joe Lawrence

Week 6: Pest Management - Disease and Insects

Dates:

Start: February 9
Q&A session: February 15 at 1:30 PM EST
Homework and quiz due: February 23

Topics:

IPM Principles; GMO traits for pest management
Scouting; Insect Management
Disease Management

Speakers:

Ken Wise
Erik Smith
Gary Bergstrom
Joe Lawrence

Week 7: Pest Management - Weeds

Dates:

Start: February 16
Q&A session: February 22 at 1:30 PM EST
Homework and quiz due: March 1

Topics:

Weed ID & Lifecycles
Alternative Control Measures
Sprayer Operation/Calibration
Herbicide Resistance & Management

Speakers:

Mike Hunter
Cornell Weed Science Faculty

Platform and Technology Requirements

How it works

This course is offered online using the web-based platform, Moodle. From the comfort of your home or office, watch pre-recorded presentations and engage at your convenience each week. Quizzes are integrated to reinforce concepts of each presentation. Weekly Q&A sessions are offered for further engagement opportunities.

Internet

We recommend that you use a computer with a DSL or cable modem connection, or a mobile device with a fast connection for optimal viewing of videos.

Software

Special software for the course is not required, beyond an internet browser (Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Safari, Chrome, Opera, etc.) and a small free download you will be automatically prompted to complete to access webinars on Zoom. It is helpful, but not strictly necessary, to have Microsoft Office (for Word and Excel documents). Your instructor can provide other options if you don’t have Office.

Hardware

You DO need to have functioning speakers for the webinars but DO NOT need to have a headset or video camera. You should be familiar with the functions of your computer and with browsing the internet. The more comfortable you are with new technology and distance learning, the more you will get out of the course.

For More Information

Joe Lawrence

Dairy Forage Systems Specialist

PRO-DAIRY

Joe Lawrence

(315) 778-4814
jrl65 [at] cornell.edu

Kirsten Workman

Nutrient Management and Environmental Sustainability Specialist

PRO-DAIRY

Kirsten Workman

kw566 [at] cornell.edu

Kathy Barrett

Senior Extension Associate

Animal Science

PRO-DAIRY

Kathy Barrett

(607) 229-4357
kfb3 [at] cornell.edu

Robert Lynch

Dairy Herd Health and Management Specialist

PRO-DAIRY

Robert Lynch

(607) 255-6830
rlynch [at] cornell.edu

Heather Darrow

Conference Coordinator

Animal Science

PRO-DAIRY

Heather Darrow

(607) 255-4478
hh96 [at] cornell.edu

Accessibility

We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to engage fully. If accommodations are needed to participate or fully access content, please contact Heather Darrow at hh96 [at] cornell.edu (hh96[at]cornell[dot]edu).