Save the Date! Winter Agronomy Meeting on February 27th
- Stearns CD
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
Date: February 27th, 2026
Time: 9:00am-1:00pm (check in beginning at 8:30am)
Location: Sauk Rapids Government Center Community Room (250 Summit Ave N, Sauk Rapids, MN 56379)
Don’t miss the Stearns, Benton, Morrison, and Sherburne county Winter Agronomy Meeting, hosted by the University of Minnesota Extension and local SWCD’s. The event begins with presentations from professionals and researchers who serve Central Minnesota and beyond. It will be followed by lunch and networking time. Topics will include general agronomy subjects and agricultural conservation practices, with this year’s conservation theme being diversified crop rotations.
Relay cropping is a practice that can be used to improve annual yield compared to a single-crop season. Dr. Matthew Helmers will be sharing the latest in relay cropping research from Iowa State Extension. It’ll be a great opportunity to get a feel for how relay cropping could impact your farm.
Crop farm margins are tight with input prices at new highs and crop prices at severe lows. Brad Carlson will be sharing best management practices to help growers get the most out of their Nitrogen. He’ll teach growers how to calculate the most profitable rate of N to apply and how application strategies impact nitrate loss.
Dr. Anthony Hanson will be sharing the latest University of Minnesota research in IPM and greenbridging. Anthony has worked extensively to build pest forecasting tools to help growers make the most informed decisions. By applying this background to research of his own and from across the state, he’ll share what growers should know about effective pest management in diversified cropping systems, such as those with cover crops.
One of the biggest hurdles in implementing cover crops is managing your herbicide plan to accommodate cover crop species. Jim Mages, a sales agronomist at Nutrien, will be sharing some herbicide plan suggestions that will allow growers to integrate more crops into their rotation.
Catch the Quad County Winter Agronomy Meeting at the Sauk Rapids Government Center Community Room on February 27th, 2026, from 9 am to 1 pm. RSVP is encouraged to ensure we have enough lunches. We hope to see you there!
