Crop Diagnostics Schools are a one day, hands-on learning opportunity designed to refine the diagnostic skills of agronomists. The schools offer the change to hear first-hard from experts new cropping information, examine plants, dig in the soil, pull weeds, catch insects and hone diagnostic skills. As outlined by Government of Saskatchewan, Agriculture department some of the main focus areas will include the following:

1. Insect scouting and identification – learn how to use a sweep net and how to identify pests and beneficial insects in a real field situation.
2. Disease scouting and identification – test your knowledge of various plant and root diseases. Experts will be on hand to assist with identification and to teach you about disease diagnostics.
3. Weed identification – you will learn how to sample and collect plants to be sent into the crop protection lab for identification, as well as how to sample and collect weed seeds that you suspect are herbicide resistant.
4. Herbicide injury symptoms and application technology – observe how water quality has a major influence on the effectiveness of certain herbicides and how it can cause serious damage to various field crops.
5. Fertility and soil management – learn more about of salinity gradient, soil texture, fertility management and nutrient deficiencies.
6. Attending the school provides an update on current disease, insect and weed concerns, will improve your trouble-shooting skills, enhance your crop management skills, address interacting factors of nutrient, pest and environmental stress as well as provide CCSC and CCA credits.

To register for a Crop Diagnostics School near you, click on the link for your province:

Alberta: June 23-25
http://www.farmingsmarter.com/growing-knowledge/the-farming-smarter-field-school/2015-field-school

Manitoba: July 7-9 and July 14-16
http://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/crops/crop-diagnostic-services/manitoba-crop-diagnostic-school.html

Ontario: July 8-9
http://www.diagnosticdays.ca/index.cfm

Saskatchewan: July 28-30
http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=hacndtmab&oeidk=a07eaolt56rb38e3682