For Immediate Release, April 17, 2024
The first Purdue Extension field crop call for the season took place via zoom on April 9,
2024. These calls have been an internal tool used in Extension since 1982, when
Educators and Specialists would huddle around landline telephones to give updates on
production issues facing local field crop growers. In turn, the specialists on campus
would give what recommendations they had to combat the issues.
As we move Extension into the 21st century, we are finding new ways to utilize
technology in order to meet the in-season informational needs of crop growers. Now
that the calls are being hosted online, they can be recorded, edited down to just the vital
pieces, and shared in a relatively timely fashion with our crop producers. You can find
our first Purdue Extension Crop and Weather Update for 2024 on the Purdue On The
Farm YouTube Channel at https://youtube.com/@PurdueOnTheFarm.
Each call this season will start with a state weather update from the Indiana State
Climate Office, then each department on campus is invited to give updates; agronomy,
botany and plant pathology, entomology, weed science, agricultural economics, and
agricultural engineering. The Office of the Indiana State Chemist is also invited to the
calls to provide regulatory updates as policies are frequently evolving from season to
season and even within seasons.
This first update features a winter weather summary and throughout the update there
are discussions of its implications for pest issues this season. Specialists also shared
early-season wheat management reminders, equipment maintenance reminders, and
other production issues to keep an eye out for as the season gets under way. Growers
can expect the remaining Crop and Weather Updates will be posted to the Purdue on the
Farm YouTube Channel on April 26, May 10, May 24, June 7, June 21, July 12, August 9,
and September 13, 2024.
To reach members of the Purdue Extension Field Crops and Purdue on the Farm Teams,
please reach out to purdueonthefarm@purdue.edu.
Crystal Van Pelt
Extension Educator
Purdue Extension Elkhart County
17746 County Road 34 Ste E
Goshen, IN 46528-6898
Phone 574-533-0554 Fax 574-533-0254
Email: cvanpelt@purdue.edu