2023 Crop Diagnostic School

This Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture event will be in person for the 2023 year. You can expect an in-depth training opportunity for agronomists, producers, industry and retail to improve their crop scouting skills and further their agronomic knowledge. The Crop Diagnostic School will be a one-day event in Indian Head, Sk. There will be two available dates to choose from. Each day will be identical in material.

Indian Head, SK – July 25 OR 26 (one day only)
Host: Indian Head Agricultural Research Foundation
Location: Bell Barn, Indian Head, SK

Directions: From #1 highway at Indian Head turn north on highway #56 and head 3km north. The bell barn will be located on the west side of the highway. There will be signs for the school so no one misses the entrance, and someone will coordinate parking upon arrival

Time: 8:00 to 3:00 each day with registration beginning at 8am.
Cost: $100.00 per person (includes lunch)

Each day will have the same projects and exercises:

1. Weed ID Station – At this year’s weed station, attendees will learn how to identify common weeds and how to tell the difference between commonly confused weeds using key distinguishing features. There will be potted weeds, as well as an area of undisturbed land where weeds are able to grow during the season. The station will start with an ID quiz of the potted weeds and an explanation of their key features. After the quiz we will go into the field for more hands-on learning of weeds we find. The station will also have a weed seed display and information on weed seed bank longevity.
2. Disease Station – Putting the Fun in Fungi: Want to know what diseases and issues the experts are focusing on this year? Join pathologists Dr. Sabine Banniza and Dr. Randy Kutcher from the University of Saskatchewan, Dr. Michelle Hubbard from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and Dr. Alireza Akhavan from the Ministry of Agriculture discuss disease and management in pulses, cereals, and canola.
3. Insect Station -The Good the Bad the Ugly! – This year’s insect identification station will focus on pests and beneficial insects alike! Come learn from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Research Scientists, Dr. Meghan Vankosky, Dr. Tyler Wist, as well as Saskatchewan Agriculture’s Provincial Insect & Pest Management Specialist, Dr. James Tansey as they guide you through scouting and identifying insects found in the plots and in your sweep net!
4. Herbicide Station – The herbicide station for 2023 will feature the Provincial Weeds Specialist, Clark Brenzil, discussing three separate demonstrations. One will demonstrate herbicide injury symptomology from Group 2 sprayer tank contamination and soil residual carry over. Another will show hard water antagonism and potential solutions to maintain glyphosate efficacy. The third group will reveal herbicide injury symptomology that can occur in drift situations from 8 different groups of herbicides on 6 different crops.
5. Soils Station – The soils station will be separated into three parts. You will hear from Jeff Schoenau, crops extension specialists, agri-environment specialists and an irrigation agrologist in this session. We will be covering how to hand texture soils and the impact soil texture has on your crop. We will also cover how different forage crops can have an impact on soils. Prepare to get your hands dirty in a soil pit dug on site.

Attendees should come prepared for weather (bring rain gear, rubber boots, sunscreen, hat, etc.) as the event will be rain or shine. To help reduce the spread of clubroot, please ensure that you wear appropriate footwear to be worn under plastic booties.

Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are pending for Certified Crop Advisors.

Limited spaces are available and attendees should register early to guarantee a spot!

If you would like more information, please feel free to contact any Crops Extension Specialists with Saskatchewan Agriculture.