DATE: 1/6/2005

CONTACT: Dr. John Mueller, (803) 284-3343, ext. 223

David Howle, (864) 646-2120

WRITER: Tom Lollis, (803) 284-3343, ext. 241

Clemson schedules meetings to discuss soybean rust

CLEMSON -- South Carolina soybean producers who are worried about reports on the discovery of soybean rust disease in the state late in 2004 can get an update at any of several meetings Clemson University has planned for January.

Two three-hour meetings are planned for Clemson Extension agents, agricultural industry personnel and Certified Crop Advisers and eight two and a half hour sessions are geared toward growers, according to David Howle, assistant director for Regulatory and Public Service Programs at Clemson University.

“Although the meetings have somewhat different target groups, everyone is welcome to attend any of the meetings,” said Howle.

Agents, industry and CCA representatives will meet Jan. 11 at Edisto Research and Education Center (REC) near Blackville and on Jan. 13 at the Pee Dee REC near Florence. Each meeting will begin at 9 a.m. and run until noon.

All meetings will cover the history and spread of rust, the biology and management, industry perspectives on fungicides, research plans for 2005 and in-season communications with growers. At the RECs a session will also cover rust identification, sampling protocols and how to use the Plant Problem Clinic.

Growers will meet on the following dates at locations convenient for various county groups:

Jan. 13 – Growers in Sumter, Lee and Clarendon counties will meet from 2 to 4:30 p.m. at the F. E. Dubose Campus of Central Carolina Technical College in Alcolu. Greg Harvey is the contact person. His phone number is (803) 773-5561.

Jan. 18 – Newberry, Saluda and Edgefield counties will meet from 9 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. at the Saluda Young Farmers Tractor Pull Arena in Saluda. A meal will be provided.

Jan. 18 – Allendale, Hampton, Bamberg, Barnwell, Colleton and Dorchester counties will meet from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Furman Methodist Church Social Hall in Furman. Tommy Walker is the contact. His phone number is (843) 943-3427.

Jan. 19 – Orangeburg, Calhoun, Richland and Williamsburg counties will meet from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Ramada Inn in Santee. A meal will be provided. Charles Davis is the contact. His number is (803) 874-2354.

Jan. 19 – Darlington and Florence counties will meet from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Young’s Plantation at I-95 and Highway 76 in Florence. David Gunter is the contact. His number is (843)393-0484.

Jan. 19 – Dillon and Marlboro counties will meet from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Charcoal Grill in Dillon. Vic Bethea is the contact. His number is (843) 774-8218.

Jan. 20 – Horry and Marion counties will meet from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Horry County Extension office in Conway. Contact Bruce Johnson at (843) 365-6715.

Jan. 24 – Lee, Sumter and Clarendon counties will meet from noon to 2:30 p.m. at the State Cotton Museum in Bishopville. A meal will be provided. Contact Randy Cubbage at (803) 484-5416.

Drinks and light snacks will be provided at meetings without meals.

Three hours of continuing credit hours in pest management may be earned in the meetings at the REC centers. Two hours may be earned in the other meetings. Pesticide Applicator Recertification Credits are available at all meetings.

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