Technology, Irrigation and Nutrient Updates for South Florida Vegetable Growers

Wednesday, August 23, 2006; 8:15 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

UF IFAS Miami-Dade County Extension; 18710 SW 288 Street, Homestead, FL

Call to register for lunch: 305-248-3311 ext 232 or 0, e-mail:twol@ufl.edu

 

Goals of this program:

·         Updates on the principles and practices of efficient water and nutrient management of vegetable crops, importance of proper irrigation and fertilization in preventing pest problems and improving crop health, yield and quality.

·         Updates on technologies available to farmers to improve crop production.

·         The program will be a mix of hands-on demonstrations and lectures in the classroom.

 

Moderator: Teresa Olczyk, UF IFAS, Miami-Dade County Extension Agent III

Program:

8:15     Registration, coffee & pastellitos

8:30     Welcome and pre-training survey – Teresa Olczyk

8:50     How to reduce nitrogen volatilization loss after fertilizer applications – Yuncong Li, UF IFAS

9:10     What is new from the UF IFAS Vegetable Fertilizer Task Force –E. Simonne, UF IFAS

 

9:30     Break - visiting Ag Industry displays

 

9:45     Hands on demonstration: First rotation

10:15   Hands on demonstration: Second rotation

10:45   Hands on demonstration: Third rotation

11:15   Hands on demonstration: Fourth rotation

11:45   Hands on demonstration: Fifth rotation

 

Attendees will be divided into 5 groups and will attend sequentially the 5 stations:

Station 1:        How to use weather data on line to grow healthier crops – Kati Migliaccio, UF IFAS

Station 2:        Updates on K-Pam application through drip systems - Mike Herrington, Amvac Corporation

Station 3:        Practical determinations of water and fertilizer applications (calculations) - Eric Simonne, IFAS

Station 4:        Use of Quick Sap Test to determine health of your crop – T. Olczyk & David Studstill, UF IFAS

Station 5: Overhead irrigation uniformity test, updates on water issues – Christian Miller, UF IFAS

 

12:15   Lunch, sponsored by the Ag Industry, visiting Ag Industry displays

12:45    Keep your plants healthy with proper drip irrigation system maintenance – Mark Burgess, Roberts

             Irrigation

1:05     Updates on Methyl Bromide alternatives, other fumigants and herbicides – Speaker TBD

1:25      USDA NRCS EQIP Program (Cost Share) - Water and nutrient conservation, Christine Coffin, USDA

             NRCS

1:40     Questions and answers session, discussion - Teresa Olczyk, UF IFAS

1:50      Post-training survey - Teresa Olczyk  

2:10     Program Evaluation, certificates of attendance and door prizes

 4 CEUs were granted in the following categories: Ag. Row Crop Pest Control, Private Applicator Ag Pest Control and Demo/Research;   CCA points will be available.