January 21, 2026

FFA Enrichment Center
1055 SW Prairie Parkway, Ankeny, Iowa

Crop Advantage Series meetings provide a solid foundation of current, research-based crop production information to help you make informed decisions. Topics for each meeting are selected for your fields and your growing conditions.

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Program

8:15     Registration opens

8:55     Welcome – Meaghan Anderson, extension field agronomist

9:05    Should I Spray or Should I Go Fishing? – Alison Robertson, extension plant pathologist (PM)

10:00    Session A (select one topic)

• From Bin to Bottom Line: Managing Inputs and Maximizing Returns – Patrick Hatting, extension farm management specialist (CM)
• Nitrate in 2025: What can we do about it? – Matt Helmers, director, Iowa Nutrient Research Center (SW)
• Save Money and Meet Your Corn’s Need for N-Fertilizer in 2026 – Melissa Miller, project director, Iowa Nitrogen Initiative (NM)

11:00    Session B (select one topic)

• Nitrate in 2025: What can we do about it? – Matt Helmers, director, Iowa Nutrient Research Center (SW)
• Sulfur in Corn and Soybean: What We Know and What We’re Learning from the Iowa SulfURNET – Richard Roth, assistant professor and ext. nutrient management specialist (NM)
• Navigating Weather, Weeds, and Regulations to Optimize Weed Management – Wesley Everman, assistant professor and extension weed science specialist (PM)

12:00    Lunch (provided)

1:00    Session C (select one topic)

• Save Money and Meet Your Corn’s Need for N-Fertilizer in 2026 – Melissa Miller, project director, Iowa Nitrogen Initiative (NM)
• Playing Limbo with Soybean Seeding Rates and Row Spacing – Mark Licht, associate professor and extension cropping systems specialist (CM)
• Sulfur in Corn and Soybean: What We Know and What We’re Learning from the Iowa SulfURNET – Richard Roth, assistant professor and ext. nutrient management specialist (NM)

2:00     Session D (select one topic)

• Navigating Weather, Weeds, and Regulations to Optimize Weed Management – Wesley Everman, assistant professor and extension weed science specialist (PM)
• Take a STEP in Your Farm Succession, Transition, and Estate Plan – Patrick Hatting, extension farm management specialist (CM)
• Cover Crops: Species and Establishment – Mark Licht, associate professor and extension cropping systems specialist (SW)

3:00     Break

3:15     Iowa Private Pesticide Applicator Continuing Instruction Course. Additional fee applies. Applicators must attend the entire meeting to receive recertification credit. – Meaghan Anderson, extension field agronomist

4:15     Meeting adjourns

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Registration Information

Register early and save! Early registration is $75 and ends at midnight on January 14, 2026. Late or on-site registration is $100. Registration includes lunch, refreshment breaks, and CCA credits.

Please note that private pesticide applicator continuing education is NOT included in the registration. The $30 fee for that will be collected on-site.

Registration opens December 4, 2025.

Reminders

• Cancellations requesting a refund must be received no later than 3 days prior to the meeting (except weather related).
• Confirmation of registration and receipts are sent via email. Please provide a valid email address when registering.
• For assistance with registration, receipts, cancellation or questions on the status of your registration please contact Registration Services at (515) 294-6222 or registrations@iastate.edu.

Weather

If weather conditions cause a change in meeting plans a notice will be posted on this webpage, emailed to pre-registered attendees,  and provided to local media and radio stations. Any decisions regarding holding the meeting will be announced before 6:00 AM the day of the meeting. Meetings will not be rescheduled. Those registered may transfer to another location or request a refund.

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