Great Lakes Crop Summit plants at FireKeepers

A two-day conference in Battle Creek next month will give farmers a chance to learn about topics ranging from unmanned aerial vehicles to crop rotation.

The inaugural Great Lakes Crop Summit is scheduled for Jan. 22-23 at FireKeepers Casino Hotel.

It's sponsored by the Corn Marketing Program of Michigan, the Michigan Wheat Program and the Soybean Promotion Committee.

"It only makes sense for us to partner on programs that bring content important to all the facets of a grower's operation to one location, so growers can attend fewer meetings and get more concise, important information that will affect their bottom line," said Jody Pollok-Newsome, executive director of the Michigan Wheat Program.

Crop topics

Besides crop production and management techniques, speakers will discuss environmental labeling, soil drainage and irrigation.

Gretchen West of Unmanned Vehicle Systems International will talk about present and future use of unmanned aerial vehicles and robots in agriculture.

Laura Lindsey of Ohio State University will speak on wide-row wheat cultivation.

Michigan State University's Martin Chilvers and Purdue University's Kiersten Wise will discuss prevention and control of wheat diseases.

MSU experts will also address bee pollinators and colony-collapse disorder.

Registration

The deadline for registration for the conference is Jan. 8.