February 13, 2008
Use before March 7-12
Contact: Michael E. Hunter, Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) of Jefferson County, 315-788-8450; Joe Lawrence, CCE of Lewis County, 315-376-5270; Peter Barney, CCE of St. Lawrence County, 315-379-9192

�Weed Warrior� Dr. Russ Hahn to Speak at North Country Crop Congresses

Cornell University calls him the �Weed Warrior.� North Country farmers call him when they need to deal with the latest unwanted plant pest in their alfalfa, corn, and hay fields. At the 2008 North Country Crop Congresses on March 12 in Madrid, NY, and March 13 in Carthage, NY, Dr. Russell Hahn will speak on �New Herbicides and Field Crop Weed Control for 2008.�

Hahn will share the latest information on weed control products � particularly three that have been registered for use on corn crops in the past year. Hahn has field tested Impact, Distinct and Status and will offer his early opinions on their efficacy. He will also talk about how to best use weed control products for cost-effective results that maintain crop yield and quality. Hahn has shown that farmers, in some instances, can cut herbicide use by as much as one-half.

With more than a quarter-century of research and field experience with reduced-risk weed management, Hahn has also dedicated himself to educating farmers to be proactive about learning about weeds.

�To choose the most effective, least-toxic products, growers need to appreciate the differences between say, horsenettle and ragweed, and how each grows. If my prayers could be answered, it would be for growers, whether conventional or organic, to know their weed identification and basic plant biology. And then to get the planting date, seeding rate, nutrient management, and other cultural practices right. The package has to go together,� Hahn says.

Michael E. Hunter, field crops educator with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County, says, �Dr. Hahn has field-tested his recommendations. He knows what works and what doesn�t. Listening to him at these Crop Congresses can save North Country farmers time, aggravation and money.�

Dr. Gary Bergstrom, who will speak at the Crop Congresses on alfalfa, corn and soybean diseases, including brown root rot that is now impacting alfalfa and forage grass crops, says, �Many field crop producers decide to attend a winter crops meeting based on whether Russ Hahn is on the program.�

In July 2007 Hahn was awarded an �Excellence in IPM Award� from the New York State Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program. Hahn�s research has shown how farmers can reduce their herbicide use using IPM.

Also on the Crop Congresses� agenda are a presentation by Cornell entomologist Dr. Elson Shields on �Managing Field Crop Insect Pests� and North Country Field Crop Research updates presented by Hunter, and Cornell Cooperative Extension Field Crops Educators Joe Lawrence of Lewis County and Peter Barney of St. Lawrence County.

The registration fee for the 10 am to 3 pm Crop Congresses on March 12 at the Madrid Community Center and March 13 at the Carthage Elks Club is $15 by March 7; $20 after; with lunch included. To register, contact Cornell Cooperative Extension in Jefferson County at 315-788-8450 or in St. Lawrence County at 315-379-9192.

The annual Corn Congress at the William H. Miner Agricultural Research Institute in Chazy, NY, will be held on March 4 with guest speaker Dr. Limin Kung, Jr. of the Dairy Nutrition and Silage Fermentation Lab at the University of Delaware. Call 518-846-7121 x117 for more details. # # #