Writer: Marlene Fritz (208/364-4010 in Boise)
Source: John Gallian (208/736-3600 in Twin Falls)

TWIN FALLS, Idaho–Presentations by key sugarbeet industry executives and technical workshops by nearly two dozen agricultural scientists are slated for Jan. 13-14 when the Snake River Sugarbeet Conference meets in Twin Falls.

The conference will be presented cooperatively by the University of Idaho College of Agriculture, Amalgamated Sugar Co. LLC and Idaho’s and Oregon’s three grower groups. It will be held at the College of Southern Idaho.

Participants will hear industry reports from Ralph Burton, vice president of agriculture for Amalgamated Sugar Co. LLC in Ogden, Utah; Tom Schwartz, executive vice president of the Beet Sugar Development Foundation and the American Society of Sugar Beet Technologists; Ruthan Geib, vice president of the American Sugarbeet Growers Association; Richard Keelor, president and chief executive officer of The Sugar Association Inc., and Mike Phillips of the Biotechnology Industry Organization.

Agricultural scientists from the University of Idaho, Oregon State University, Montana State University, Amalgamated Sugar Co. LLC and other private industries will describe research progress. Among their topics will be insect, nematode and weed control–including the effects of reduced cultivation with transgenic varieties–cultural practices for maximum economic benefit, stand evaluation and replant decisions, yearly composting effects, techniques for precision irrigation and impacts of green manures.

Also on the agenda will be new variety evaluations, disease recognition and management, tare lab operation, new chemical products, new uses for existing products, and such harvest topics as topping, irrigation, equipment and storage.

Registration, which is free, will begin at 7:30 a.m. Jan. 13 at CSI’s Fine Arts Center. The program itself will start at 8:15 a.m. Jan. 13 and conclude at noon Jan. 14. Commercial exhibits will be open concurrently with the program.

Participants will be eligible for Idaho and Oregon pesticide applicator recertification credits and for Certified Crop Advisor credits in crop production, pest management, soil and water, and fertility.

For more information, contact John Gallian, University of Idaho extension sugarbeet specialist, at (208) 736-3600 in Twin Falls.