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This is an eOrganic article and was reviewed for compliance with National Organic Program regulations by members of the eOrganic community. Always check with your organic certification agency before adopting new practices or using new materials. For more information, refer to eOrganic's articles on organic certification.

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This webinar was presented on December 16, 2015. Watch it on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8O0O-1CYY8

Handout of the slides: Download

Nitrogen management is one of many challenges that organic strawberry growers face. In this webinar, we will address the challenges of nitrogen management in strawberries, pattern of nitrogen uptake over plant growth cycle and synchronizing N supply, pre-plant amendments and leaching losses, and issues with fertigation efficiency.

Joji Muramoto is an Associate Researcher in the Department of Environmental Studies, University of California, Santa Cruz. He is a soil scientist/agroecologist specializing in fertility and soilborne disease management in organic strawberries and vegetables in central coastal California.

Mark Gaskell is a Farm Advisor with the University of California Cooperative Extension. Mark joined UC in 1995 and since that time he has been responsible for research and educational outreach programs for Small Farms and Specialty Crops in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties of California.

Carol Shennan is an agroecologist in the Department of Environmental Studies. She has been working on management of organic cropping systems for many years, with an emphasis on cover crops, nutrient management and soilborne disease management; and is the Project Director of CalCORE - the California Collaborative Organic Research and Extension network - a consortium of researchers, farmers, extension and other organizations dedicated to organic agriculture research.

This is an eOrganic article and was reviewed for compliance with National Organic Program regulations by members of the eOrganic community. Always check with your organic certification agency before adopting new practices or using new materials. For more information, refer to eOrganic's articles on organic certification.

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This is an eOrganic article and was reviewed for compliance with National Organic Program regulations by members of the eOrganic community. Always check with your organic certification agency before adopting new practices or using new materials. For more information, refer to eOrganic's articles on organic certification.

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This webinar took place on December 9, 2015. Watch it on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YClztqxJg6A

Presenters: Rammohan Balusu, Ayanava Majumdar, Auburn University. Elena Rhodes, University of Florida. They are participants in a NIFA OREI project: Development and Participatory Implementation of Integrated Organic Pest Management for Crucifer Vegetable Production in the South.

A previous eOrganic webinar on the Yellowmargined Leaf Beetle described the biology and basic management approaches for this pest. This webinar will provide advanced IPM information related to trap crops, attractants, and biorational insecticides. We will conclude with a detailed discussion of organic integrated pest management strategies suitable for multiple pest problems in organic and conventional crucifer production systems.

For all other upcoming and archived eOrganic webinars, see http://www.extension.org/pages/25242

Dr. Rammohan Balusu is a Research Fellow II at Auburn University. He works on ecologically-based pest management tactics in fruit and vegetable crops. He has been working on Yellowmargined leaf beetle problem in organic crucifer production since 2006.

Dr. Ayanava Majumdar is an Extension Entomologist with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System and his work focuses on developing vegetable IPM recommendations for a variety of crops. He is also the SARE program coordinator at Auburn University and has established a strong organic educational program for small producers in Alabama.

Dr. Elena Rhodes is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Florida, where she specializes in integrated pest management in small fruit and vegetable crops. Her current major projects include the management of yellow margined leaf beetle, Microtheca ochroloma Stål, in cole crops and blueberry gall midge, Dasineura oxycoccana (Johnson), in blueberries. Major past projects include the management of twospotted spider mites, Tetranychus urticae Koch, in strawberries and flower thrips, Frankliniella spp., in blueberries. Minor projects include various efficacy trials, a feeding assay of stink bugs in blackberries, and assisting with grape root borer research.

This is an eOrganic article and was reviewed for compliance with National Organic Program regulations by members of the eOrganic community. Always check with your organic certification agency before adopting new practices or using new materials. For more information, refer to eOrganic's articles on organic certification.

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This webinar was recorded on November 17, 2015. Watch it on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhkrSpts2Qw

This webinar will discuss the impacts of extreme weather on organic farming systems in the Midwest region and explore opportunities for increased weather resiliency with an emphasis on soil management.

The content of the webinar will draw primarily from research literature, farmer interviews and the presenter’s personal experiences conducting large-scale organic row-crop research in Western IL.

Drainage practices, tillage systems, crop establishment and rotation, cover crop and weed management, and precision technologies will be discussed as components of cropping systems that have greater weather resiliency both in terms of crop performance and management flexibility.

Dr. Joel Gruver is an Associate professor of Soil Science and Sustainable Agriculture and director of the Organic Research Program at Western Illinois University.

This is an eOrganic article and was reviewed for compliance with National Organic Program regulations by members of the eOrganic community. Always check with your organic certification agency before adopting new practices or using new materials. For more information, refer to eOrganic's articles on organic certification.

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Watch the webinar on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhkrSpts2Qw

This webinar, by Diego Nieto of UCSC, took place on December 2, 2015. The webinar describes the role of predators and/or parasitoids in managing cabbage aphids, diamondback moth and cabbage root fly in organic brassica crops.

Diego Nieto has been a research entomologist at the University of California, Santa Cruz since 2001 and has studied issues related to pest management in cotton, cole crops, strawberries and olives.

Find all upcoming and archived eOrganic upcoming and archived webinars at http://www.extension.org/pages/25242.

This is an eOrganic article and was reviewed for compliance with National Organic Program regulations by members of the eOrganic community. Always check with your organic certification agency before adopting new practices or using new materials. For more information, refer to eOrganic's articles on organic certification.

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This webinar was presented by Jennifer Reeve and Earl Creech of Utah State University on November 10, 2015. Watch it on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imvtu7OvSNA

Dryland organic wheat production in the arid West encompasses a large percentage of the organic wheat acreage in the United States. However, declining wheat yields and poor quality caused by lack of soil fertility and growing weed pressure threaten the economic and environmental sustainability of these farms. Composts have a strong carryover effect with potential to improve soil fertility and productivity of dryland organic wheat systems but the long-term benefits have not been thoroughly evaluated.

A new multi-state long-term project was initiated in the fall of 2014 involving a collaboration between scientists at Utah State University, Washington State University and the University of Wyoming. The long-term goal is to develop long-term on-farm research sites devoted to testing and showcasing organic dryland wheat management strategies for increased water use efficiency, weed management, soil quality, wheat yield and quality, and economic viability for dryland organic wheat growers. This webinar will present data from the original compost carryover research project in Utah as well as introduce the goals and objectives of the new multi-state long-term project.

Download a pdf handout of the presentation here

Earl Creech is an Assistant Professor and Extension Agronomist in the department of Plants, Soils and Climate at Utah State University.  Dr. Creech conducts applied research that addresses critical needs of Utah’s irrigated and dryland production agriculture. He works closely with agricultural producers, federal and state agencies, agribusiness organizations, life sciences companies, the media, and the scientific community concerned with crop management issues.

Jennifer Reeve is Associate Professor of Organic and Sustainable Agriculture in the department of Plants Soils and Climate at Utah State University. Her current research focuses on nutrient management and soil health in organic and integrated tree fruit, vegetable, pasture and grain systems. She is also chair of the Southern Coordinating Committee: Quantifying the linkages among soil health, organic farming and food. In 2012 she received an award for civically engaged scholar from the Utah Campus Compact for her work with the USU Student Organic Farm. Originally from England she earned a Bachelor of Science in Ecology from the University of Sheffield in 1995 followed by a MS in Soil Science from Washington State University in 2003 and a PhD in Soil Science from Washington State University in 2007.

This is an eOrganic article and was reviewed for compliance with National Organic Program regulations by members of the eOrganic community. Always check with your organic certification agency before adopting new practices or using new materials. For more information, refer to eOrganic's articles on organic certification.

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This webinar took place on November 4, 2015. Watch it on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3Kx7I4d4hU

This webinar is aimed at a general audience, gardeners, farmers, and ag professionals. Viewers will learn how to make consistent and safe compost teas for gardening and agricultural use. We will discuss how compost teas are viewed and regulated by the National Organic Program and Environmental Protection Agency. Viewers will leave with an improved understanding of compost teas and how they can be beneficially used.

Some of the pesticides discussed in this presentation were tested under an experimental use permit granted by WSDA. Application of a pesticide to a crop or site that is not on the label is a violation of pesticide law and may subject the applicator to civil penalties up to $7,500. In addition, such an application may also result in illegal residues that could subject the crop to seizure or embargo action by WSDA and/or the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. It is your responsibility to check the label before using the product to ensure lawful use and obtain all necessary permits in advance.

Download a pdf handout of slides for this webinar

For all other upcoming and archived eOrganic webinars, see http://www.extension.org/pages/25242

Dr. Lynne Carpenter-Boggs is an Associate Professor of Sustainable and Organic Agriculture at Washington State University. Her work aims to improve global health and sustainability through biological and appropriate technologies for agriculture.

Catherine (CeCe) Crosby is a Ph.D. candidate in Soil Science at Washington State University. CeCe has led hundreds of pre-nursing students through chemistry and environmental science courses, and currently is researching the feasibility of composting for new uses in society.

This is an eOrganic article and was reviewed for compliance with National Organic Program regulations by members of the eOrganic community. Always check with your organic certification agency before adopting new practices or using new materials. For more information, refer to eOrganic's articles on organic certification.

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This is an eOrganic article and was reviewed for compliance with National Organic Program regulations by members of the eOrganic community. Always check with your organic certification agency before adopting new practices or using new materials. For more information, refer to eOrganic's articles on organic certification.

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This is an eOrganic article and was reviewed for compliance with National Organic Program regulations by members of the eOrganic community. Always check with your organic certification agency before adopting new practices or using new materials. For more information, refer to eOrganic's articles on organic certification.

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This webinar was recorded on March 24, 2015.

Watch it on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gUYbMAGQxA

The Carrot Improvement for Organic Agriculture (CIOA) project is a breeding effort to addresses the critical needs of organic carrot farmers by developing orange and novel colored carrots with improved nematode and disease resistance, improved weed competitiveness, and improved nutritional value and flavor. The project is also comparing the relative performance of varieties in organic versus conventional farming systems through replicated trials in four states and exploring the response of various genotypes to soil microbial environments. Join us to hear project results from the first three years, learn about advancements in breeding for nematode resistance, and gain insights into the genetic component of plant response to beneficial microbiota and implications for organic farming systems.

SLIDES FROM THE WEBINAR AS A PDF HANDOUT

Philipp Simon, USDA, Agricultural Research Service and Department of Horticulture, University of Wisconsin - Madison

Phil Simon holds a B.S. in Biology from Carroll College, and an M.S. and Ph.D. in Genetics from the University of Wisconsin. He is a USDA, ARS Research Geneticist and faculty member of the Department of Horticulture at the University of Wisconsin - Madison. Phil's research includes vegetable genetics and breeding with a focus on carrot improvement. His carrot breeding targets nematode and disease resistance, and improved flavor and nutritional quality. He has developed carrot germplasm with high carotene content, mild fresh carrot flavor, purple color, and root-knot nematode resistance.

Micaela Colley. Executive Director, Organic Seed Alliance

In addition to being the Executive Director, Micaela Colley manages participatory plant breeding, research and education projects with farmers, university researchers and other seed professionals. She has authored several educational publications covering topics on organic seed production, on-farm crop improvement and variety trailing, and teaches workshops on seed related topics.

 Jared Zystro, Research and Education Assistant Director, Organic Seed Alliance

Jared Zystro has a master’s degree in plant breeding and plant genetics from the University of Wisconsin and has worked in the organic seed industry for over 10 years, managing seed production at two farms and conducting research and education projects with OSA. In his work at OSA, he manages OSA's regional development in California, conducts participatory breeding projects and variety trials, and teaches farmers about seed production and plant breeding at workshops, conferences and field days.

 Philip Roberts, Professor and nematologist, University of California - Riverside

Philip Robert's research focuses on genetics of resistance and tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses of vegetables and agronomic crops, and the deployment of resistance through plant breeding and integrated pest management strategies. In particular, resistance to nematodes and fungal pathogens of carrots, cowpea and other grain legumes, cotton, and tomato has been a major focus.

Lori Hoagland, Assistant Professor, Specialty Crop Production Systems, Purdue University

Dr. Hoagland’s research focuses on soil microbes and their interactions with plants to increase crop productivity and reduce negative impacts of farming systems on the environment. Current projects include efforts to identify management practices that stimulate the activity of microbes that efficiently cycle nutrients, suppress soil-borne pathogens, and/or help plants tolerate drought stress, and select carrot and tomato varieties that actively recruit and host beneficial microbes that help plants resist pathogen infection.

Cathleen McCluskey, Communications and Outreach Associate, Organic Seed Alliance

Cathleen McCluskey supports OSA's communications, leads the organization’s design work, and organizes the biennial Organic Seed Growers Conference. She is a graduate of The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington where she studied Agricultural Systems Analysis, coordinated food sovereignty campaigns, and organized for federal-level public engagement regarding issues of market concentration in the agriculture sector.

This is an eOrganic article and was reviewed for compliance with National Organic Program regulations by members of the eOrganic community. Always check with your organic certification agency before adopting new practices or using new materials. For more information, refer to eOrganic's articles on organic certification.

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This webinar was recorded on March 3, 2015. Watch it on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6O3YEHX26g

Beginning in 2010, the Northern Organic Vegetable Improvement Collaborative (NOVIC) has been conducting participatory vegetable variety trials on a network of organic farms across the northern U.S. While critical for producing findings that accurately reflect working farms, participatory research poses unique challenges in terms of data quality and analytical methods. Alexandra Lyon, a PhD student who has been working for NOVIC since 2010, will discuss a straightforward, graphical approach that uses the NOVIC variety trial data to assess the stability of variety performance across variable environments. From this work, future participatory breeding and variety trial efforts can be better informed and made more efficient and effective. This webinar is meant for an audience of researchers, farmers, and other professionals interested in farmer collaboration and participatory research.

Slides from the webinar as a pdf handout

Alexandra Lyon studies how participatory plant breeding and variety trials can help meet the needs of organic vegetable growers in the Upper Midwest, as part of the Organic and Sustainable Research Program run by Dr. Erin Silva at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is a PhD candidate in the Nelson Institute for Environmental Science and a founding organizer of the Student Organic Seed Symposium, an annual event aimed at supporting graduate student involvement in organic seed and plant breeding.

This is an eOrganic article and was reviewed for compliance with National Organic Program regulations by members of the eOrganic community. Always check with your organic certification agency before adopting new practices or using new materials. For more information, refer to eOrganic's articles on organic certification.

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This webinar was recorded on February 17, 2015. Watch it on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggc_Es3bo6U

This webinar will provide an introduction to the concept of weed management with air-propelled abrasive grits, or "weed blasting", in organic cropping systems. We will present information about the design of the first abrasive-grit applicator and initial field studies in corn, soybean, tomato, and pepper crops. Lastly, we will outline ongoing and future research objectives recently funded by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture Organic Research and Extension Initiative.

Dr. Sam Wortman is an assistant professor in the Department of Crop Sciences at the University of Illinois. He studies urban and local food production and the goal of his research is to develop cropping systems and cultural practices that maximize productivity and profitability with minimal environmental impact.

Dr. Sharon Clay is a weed scientist with a 20% teaching/80% research position at South Dakota State University. Over her career, she has worked in many aspects of weed biology and weed control including cover crops, resistant weeds, biocontrol, crop/weed interactions, and exploring critical weed free periods in many types of crops.

Dr. Daniel Humburg is an Agricultural Engineer and Professor in the department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering at South Dakota State University. He has 23 year of experience teaching engineering design of agricultural machines, and oversaw the design and fabrication of the first abrasive weed control system to be mounted on a tractor.

Slides from the webinar as a pdf handout

This is an eOrganic article and was reviewed for compliance with National Organic Program regulations by members of the eOrganic community. Always check with your organic certification agency before adopting new practices or using new materials. For more information, refer to eOrganic's articles on organic certification.

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This broadcast took place on Friday, February 6, 2015, from the Organicology Conference in Portland, Oregon. Watch them as a YouTube playlist at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZMuQJAj6rOpCbyVNOxJacexaLZ0STf1f

This workshop will present and discuss key crop rotations that include high demand/low supply crops that can be grown in the Pacific Northwest. This session will build on the Growing the Market Intensive and the work Oregon Tilth is doing to identify these crops and create a concrete picture of supply gaps and market opportunities. It will include a brief overview of the market analysis findings, and cover key considerations for producers to integrate these crops into current rotations, including acreage needs, variety selection, planting schedules, equipment, etc. The buyer will discuss how farmers can work with wholesalers to plan production and the producer will discuss the challenges and benefits of integrating new crops and her experiences working with buyers.

Speakers: James Henderson, Farm Liaison, Hummingbird Wholesale; Michael McMillan, Sourcing Manager, Organically Grown Company; Nick Andrews, Senior Instructor, OSU Center for Small Farms & Community Food Systems; Pete Postlewait, Co-Owner, Nature Fresh Farms

This discussion features experts from Washington State University and Rodale Institute who will present new research focused on improving soil health in organic systems. Participants will learn about soil health principles and practices for building healthy soils such as no-till and minimized tillage, cover crops, and crop rotations. This workshop will help organic and transitioning farmers identify soil health issues and improve soil health management on their farms. The workshop will also provide an overview of common soil health challenges for organic farmers and discuss the latest information on the topic from the National Organic Program and National Organic Standards Board. The session will cover information on federal conservation programs that provides financial and technical assistance for conservation projects.

Speakers: Mark “Coach” Smallwood, Executive Director, Rodale Institute; Doug Collins, Small Farms Educator & Soil Scientist, Center for Sustaining Ag & Natural Resources, WSU; Ben Bowell, Organic Education Specialist, Oregon Tilth & NRCS 

View selected recordings from this workshop here or on this YouTube playist:

• Considerations in Organic Seed Production: Jared Zystro, Organic Seed Alliance
• The Yearly Seed Production Cycle: Rowen White, Sierra Seeds
• Seed Cleaning: Beth Ragourshek, Canyon Bounty Farm
• Economics of Seed Growing: Steve Peters, Organic Seed Alliance; Andrew Still, Adaptive Seeds and Rowen White, Sierra Seeds

This is an eOrganic article and was reviewed for compliance with National Organic Program regulations by members of the eOrganic community. Always check with your organic certification agency before adopting new practices or using new materials. For more information, refer to eOrganic's articles on organic certification.

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This webinar by Dr. Yong-Lak Park of West Virginia University was recorded on January 22, 2015. Watch it on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spRyLe8AmL4

Brown marmorated stink bugs (BMSB) have caused considerable economic damage in the Mid-Atlantic states, and biological control agents against BMSB are not readily available for growers yet. In this webinar, the efficacy and utilization of the spined soldier bug as a native biological control agent will be presented and discussed. This webinar is for a mixed audience including researchers, extension specialists and agents, and growers seeking information on biological control of stink bugs.

Slides from the webinar as a pdf handout

Dr. Park is an associate professor in the entomology program at West Virginia University. His research team has been working on a state-wide brown marmorated stink bug and natural enemy survey, organic stink bug management, and mass rearing of the spined soldier bug.

This is an eOrganic article and was reviewed for compliance with National Organic Program regulations by members of the eOrganic community. Always check with your organic certification agency before adopting new practices or using new materials. For more information, refer to eOrganic's articles on organic certification.

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This webinar was recorded on January 13, 2015. Watch it on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuArxCxG_A8

Imported cabbageworm, vegetable loopers, and diamondback moths can be serious pests of brassicas and other crops. Using many years of information from four farms, we have characterized successful whole-farm management systems. Our analysis suggests paths to success for other farms who have, or anticipate, cabbageworm outbreaks.

Slides from the webinar as a pdf file

Jake Asplund is a Ph.D. student in entomology at Washington State University. His work focuses on examining arthropod community interactions in agriculture.

Doug O'Brien owns and operates Doug O’Brien Agricultural Consulting, providing on-site technical advice, field monitoring, and research for clients involved in fresh produce growing, harvesting, cooling and marketing. He is an adjunct professor at Cabrillo College, in Santa Cruz, CA and teaches classes in organic farming. Previously, Doug was a co-owner of an organic produce brokerage company, a crop production manager, and an assistant farm advisor.

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Java needs to be installed and working on your computer for you to be able to join the webinar. If you have concerns, go to http://java.com/en/download/testjava.jsp prior to joining the webinar. If you are running Mac OS X 10.6 with Safari, please be sure to test your Java. If it isn't working, please try Firefox (http://www.mozilla.com) or Chrome (http://www.google.com/chrome). The webinar program will require you to download software before connecting you to the webinar, so if you don't have administrative rights on your computer, you may not be able to do this, although you can listen in by phone. If you'd like to test your connection to gotowebinar in advance, go here.

This is an eOrganic article and was reviewed for compliance with National Organic Program regulations by members of the eOrganic community. Always check with your organic certification agency before adopting new practices or using new materials. For more information, refer to eOrganic's articles on organic certification.

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This webinar took place on December 18, 2014. Watch it on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgS3twVZ-HA

All organic dairy farmers know the importance of pasture as the primary feed source for their cattle. But part of managing pastures well is honing our observation skills to assess what the plants and animals are telling us about their health. In this webinar, presented by grazing and organic certification specialist Sarah Flack, we will review the key grazing principles that help your cattle maximize dry matter intake from pastures and avoid potential problems. We will also look at examples of how to observe the livestock, their manure, soils and pasture plants to determine how well your pasture management system is working.

Sarah Flack is a consultant specializing grass based and organic livestock production. Since the early 1990's, she has been teaching workshops and providing practical, technical grazing and organic management education for farmers, organizations, institutions and individuals working on farms and in rural communities. Sarah has authored a book on organic dairy production, co-authored a second book on the subject, written articles and facts-heets on grazing and organic production, and has produced videos and webinars. Sarah also provides consulting services as an organic certification inspector for several agricultural organizations nationwide. She has degrees in Environmental Agriculture and Biology, and Plant and Soil Sciences from the University of Vermont. Sarah grew up on a grass-based livestock farm in northern Vermont where she still lives.

 Slides from the webinar as a pdf handout is available at www.eorganic.info/sites/eorganic.info/files/u461/SFlack_PastureMonitoring_12182014.pdf

eOrganic contains articles, videos, and webinars for farmers, ranchers, agricultural professionals, certifiers, researchers and educators seeking reliable information on organic agriculture, published research results, farmer experiences, and certification. The content is collaboratively authored and reviewed by our community of University researchers and Extension personnel, agricultural professionals, farmers, and certifiers with experience and expertise in organic agriculture.

Find all upcoming and archived eOrganic webinars on organic farming and research topics at http://www.extension.org/pages/25242

This is an eOrganic article and was reviewed for compliance with National Organic Program regulations by members of the eOrganic community. Always check with your organic certification agency before adopting new practices or using new materials. For more information, refer to eOrganic's articles on organic certification.

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This webinar was recorded on December 4, 2014. Watch it on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOAI5NV-N3I

Radishes can provide two benefits to the organic dairy pasture: 1) to extend the grazing season with a high energy feedstock, and 2) to provide “bio-drills” by utilizing the tap roots of these plants to address soil compaction. In this webinar, Fay Benson and Liz Burrichter will describe their on-farm research with brassicas, including no-till seeding Daikon Radish into grazing swards.

Slides from the webinar as a PDF handout

Fay Benson is the project manager of New York's Organic Dairy Initiative and small dairy support specialist with Cornell University's South Central NY Dairy team. Fay has been working with grazing and organic dairy farmers for 10 years and also operated his own dairy farm for more than 20 years.

Elizabeth Burrichter is a program assistant with New York’s Organic Dairy Initiative and is an organic dairy educator with Cornell Cooperative Extension.

eOrganic contains articles, videos, and webinars for farmers, ranchers, agricultural professionals, certifiers, researchers and educators seeking reliable information on organic agriculture, published research results, farmer experiences, and certification. The content is collaboratively authored and reviewed by our community of University researchers and Extension personnel, agricultural professionals, farmers, and certifiers with experience and expertise in organic agriculture.

Find all upcoming and archived eOrganic webinars on organic farming and research topics at http://www.extension.org/pages/25242

This is an eOrganic article and was reviewed for compliance with National Organic Program regulations by members of the eOrganic community. Always check with your organic certification agency before adopting new practices or using new materials. For more information, refer to eOrganic's articles on organic certification.

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This webinar was recorded on December 2, 2014. Watch it on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94pZYsu7kj8

In this webinar, the presenters will discuss the identification and crop damage of the yellowmargined leaf beetle, as well as trap cropping, attractants, and biological control. They will share relevant outcomes from a NIFA-OREI funded project: Development and Participatory Implementation of Integrated Organic Pest Management for Crucifer Vegetable Production in the South, and highlight IPM resources for producers and educators.

Slides from this webinar as a PDF handout

Dr. Rammohan Balusu is Research Fellow II at Auburn University. He works on ecologically-based pest management tactics in fruit and vegetable crops. He has been working on Yellowmargined leaf beetle problem in organic crucifer production since 2006.

Dr. Ayanava Majumdar is Extension Entomologist with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System and his work focuses on developing vegetable IPM recommendations for a variety of crops. He is also the SARE program coordinator at Auburn University and has established a strong organic educational program for small producers in Alabama.

Dr. Ronald D. Cave is a Professor of Entomology and Nematology at the University of Florida Indian River Research and Education Center. He received his PhD from Auburn University, his MSc from the University of California-Berkeley, and his BSc from the University of California-Davis. He was a Peace Corps volunteer in El Salvador and Paraguay and a professor for 15 years at the Panamerican School of Agriculture in Honduras, where he taught courses, conducted research on biological control, pest management, and biodiversity, and directed the Center for Biological Control in Central America. His research at the UF Hayslip Biological Control research and Containment Laboratory at the Indian River Research and Education Center in Ft. Pierce focuses on biological control of invasive arthropods, particularly the importation of exotic insects as candidate biological control agents, assessment of commercial natural enemies, and study of the biology of parasitoids and predators. Current projects target the cycad aulacaspis scale, the Mexican bromeliad weevil, and the yellowmargined leaf beetle. He teaches undergraduate and graduate courses and mentors graduate students. He is author or co-author of more than 100 peer-reviewed papers, 20 non-refereed publications, and 20 books or book chapters.

Find all upcoming and archived eOrganic webinars at http://www.extension.org/pages/25242

This is an eOrganic article and was reviewed for compliance with National Organic Program regulations by members of the eOrganic community. Always check with your organic certification agency before adopting new practices or using new materials. For more information, refer to eOrganic's articles on organic certification.

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This webinar was recorded on November 20, 2014. Watch it on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdpUExSfpLg

Out-wintering cattle involves keeping livestock outside for some or all of the winter. In this webinar, Dr. Brad Heins will describe a study that evaluated the effect of two winter housing systems on organic dairy production, somatic cell counts (SCC), body weight, body condition scores (BCS), and dry matter intake (DMI). The study included cows that were housed outdoors on a straw pack and indoors in a compost-bedded pack barn at the University of Minnesota’s West Central Research and Outreach Center in Morris, MN. Heins will also describes some basic considerations when out-wintering organic dairy herds, including access to adequate feed, water, and shelter.

PDF of Dr. Heins' presentation

Brad Heins is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Animal Science at the University of Minnesota, focusing on organic dairy production. Dr. Heins received his M.S. and Ph.D. at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. Currently, Dr. Heins conducts his research at the University of Minnesota’s West Central Research and Outreach Center (WCROC). The Center has a 100-head herd in a certified organic system, and a 130-head herd in a conventional grazing system. He also serves on the Minnesota Organic Advisory Task Force.

eOrganic contains articles, videos, and webinars for farmers, ranchers, agricultural professionals, certifiers, researchers and educators seeking reliable information on organic agriculture, published research results, farmer experiences, and certification. The content is collaboratively authored and reviewed by our community of University researchers and Extension personnel, agricultural professionals, farmers, and certifiers with experience and expertise in organic agriculture.

Find all upcoming and archived eOrganic webinars on organic farming and research topics at http://www.extension.org/pages/25242

This is an eOrganic article and was reviewed for compliance with National Organic Program regulations by members of the eOrganic community. Always check with your organic certification agency before adopting new practices or using new materials. For more information, refer to eOrganic's articles on organic certification.

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