Grain crop producers can get a jump on planning for next year’s growing season by attending one of the early bird meetings organized by specialists in the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment.

Specialists will review challenges and issues of the 2013 growing season and offer suggestions for better management in 2014.

Meetings are scheduled for Nov. 18 at the Union County Extension office in Morganfield, Nov. 19 at the Sedalia Restaurant in Graves County and Nov. 20 at the Christian County Extension office in Hopkinsville. All meetings begin at 8:30 a.m. CST.

Topics this year include diseases and fungicide resistance, insecticide seed treatments and new bugs, keeping bin-bursting grain in good condition, weed control, methods for avoiding nitrogen losses in 2014 and land rent affordability when considering corn prices.

The meeting concludes with lunch at 12:30 p.m. provided by the Kentucky Corn Growers Association, Kentucky Soybean Board and the Kentucky Small Grain Growers Association.

Certified Crop Advisers can receive 3.0 continuing education units in the following categories: 1.5 in integrated pest management and 0.5 in crop management, nutrient management and professional development. Pesticide applicators can receive one general and one specific hour credits in categories 1A, 1B, 4, 10, 12 and 14.

For more information, visit the UK Grain Crops Extension website at http://www.uky.edu/Ag/GrainCrops/Briefs/EarlyBird2013.html or contact the following UK Cooperative Extension agents for agriculture and natural resources: Rankin Powell in Union County at 270-952-2092, Trent Murdock in Graves County at 270-247-2334 or Jay Stone in Christian County at 270-886-6328.