Iowa City, IA

January 27, 2026

Johnson County Extension Office
3109 Old Hwy 218 South, Iowa City, 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

8:30     Registration opens

8:55     Welcome Rebecca Vittetoe, extension field agronomist

9:00    2025 Crop Year Review: What Went Well, What Went WrongMark Licht, associate professor and extension cropping systems specialist (CM)

10:00    Should I Spray or Should I Go Fishing?Alison Robertson, extension plant pathologist (PM)

11:00    Waterhemp Management and Resistance ConcernsWesley Everman, assistant professor and extension weed science specialist (PM)

12:00    Lunch (provided)

1:00    Session A (select one topic)

  • Managing Soil and Water Resources: Where, When, and Why to Use Cover CropsRick Cruse, professor, director of the Iowa Water Center (SW)
  • Cybersecurity and Crisis Response: Protecting Farms and Ag Retail ConnectionsRyan Drollette, extension farm management specialist (CM)
  • Save Money and Meet Your Corn’s Need for N-Fertilizer in 2026Melissa Miller, project director, Iowa Nitrogen Initiative (NM)

2:00     Break

2:10    Crop Market Outlook for 2026 and BeyondChad Hart, professor and extension ag economist (CM)

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

4:15     Meeting adjourns


Registration Information

Register early and save! Early registration is $75 and ends at midnight on January 20, 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.


Your location host



Logan McCrea
extension field agronomist
ldmccrea@iastate.edu
(641) 226-7102
@LoganMccrea



Rebecca Vittetoe
extension field agronomist
rka8@iastate.edu
(712) 540-3319
@rkvittetoe



Virgil Schmitt
extension field agronomist
vschmitt@iastate.edu
(563) 260-3721
@VirgilSchmitt