Twin Falls, Idaho
December 8, 2008
The future of biotechnology in the
nation’s sugarbeet industry—and the future of the industry
itself—will be the keynote topics when the
University of Idaho’s 2009
Snake River Sugarbeet Conference meets Jan. 8-9 in Twin Falls.
The conference’s general session will kick off Thursday
afternoon at 1:45 p.m. at the Canyon Crest Event Center, 330
Canyon Crest Drive. Sugarbeet geneticists from Betaseed, Inc.,
and Hilleshog Seed will outline what’s on the horizon for
biotechnology in sugarbeets, and molecular biologist Imad Eujayl
of the USDA Agricultural Research Service in Kimberly will
describe the impacts of molecular genetics on sugarbeet growers.
Executive director Mark Duffin of the Idaho Sugar Beet Growers
Association will also share his thoughts on the future of the
U.S. sugarbeet industry.
Beginning with registration at 8 a.m. on Friday at the College
of Southern Idaho’s Fine Arts Auditorium, concurrent sessions
will address a broad range of requested topics affecting today’s
grower:
- effects of strip tillage
on sugar and sugarbeet yields, including comments by a panel
of growers who have tried it
- pesticide application
technology for improved weed control
- tank mixes with other
pesticides and the effects on weed control in Roundup Ready®
sugarbeets
- planter maintenance and
stand establishment
-
seed treatments for
disease and insect management
- irrigation and disease
management
- economics of sugarbeets in
a rotation versus chasing high-priced commodities
- economics of re-planting
- sugarbeet storage
research, including how storage is affected by agronomic
practices
- Spanish-language
workshops, including sugarbeet diseases, integrated pest
management and reducing bee poisoning from pesticides
Speakers from the University of
Idaho, Oregon State University, University of Nebraska, USDA
Agricultural Research Service, Bayer CropScience, Miller
Research and Amalgamated Sugar will be on hand to field growers’
questions.
The conference, offered at no charge, will conclude at 5 p.m. on
Friday. In addition to the University of Idaho, it is presented
by Amalgamated Sugar Co. LLC, Idaho Sugar Beet Growers
Association, Nyssa-Nampa Beet Growers and Elwyhee Beet Growers.
Founded in 1889, the University of Idaho is the state’s
flagship higher-education institution and its principal graduate
education and research university, bringing insight and
innovation to the state, the nation and the world. University
researchers attract nearly $100 million in research grants and
contracts each year; the University of Idaho is the only
institution in the state to earn the prestigious Carnegie
Foundation ranking for high research activity. The university’s
student population includes first-generation college students
and ethnically diverse scholars. Offering more than 150 degree
options in 10 colleges, the university combines the strengths of
a large university with the intimacy of small learning
communities. |
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