MISSISSIPPI STATE – The annual Row Crop Short Course that offers three days of intensive agricultural education in December will start with a heavy focus on irrigation.

The event is free to producers who register by Nov. 27. Those who register late must pay $40 per person. Darrin Dodds, Extension cotton specialist, is coordinating the Dec. 2-4 event in the Bost Extension Center at Mississippi State University.

The 2013 Row Crop Short Course will begin with an irrigation symposium hosted by Jason Krutz and several other crop and irrigation specialists with the MSU Extension Service and the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station.

Half a day will be spent on entomological issues in various row crops. Nutrient management and weed management issues will fill another day. Additional topics will include plant pathology and land management for wildlife.

“Dr. Laura Grapes from Monsanto will speak regarding RNAi technology, which will be sure to raise some eyebrows,” Dodds said. “Each year, we try to bring in speakers who will address needs our producers have, inform them on the latest research findings and introduce them to new issues and technologies that will impact their profession.”

Certified Crop Advisor continuing education units, pesticide applicator recertification and consultant license renewal credits will be available at the short course.

The event includes lunch each day, an evening social and fish fry Dec. 2 and a steak-and-shrimp dinner Dec. 3. Contact Kathy Johnson at 662-325-2701 or Dodds at 662-325-4072 or dmd76@pss.msstate.edu for more information.