Field Crops Virtual Breakfast to Focus on Nematodes

Nematodes are microscopic and worm-like. While some are beneficial, others are plant parasites and cause significant losses for Michigan's field, vegetable, fruit and ornamental crops. The Michigan State University Extension Field Crops Virtual Breakfast at 7 a.m. on Sept. 1, 2022, will feature Marisol Quintanilla, applied nematologist in the Department of Entomology at Michigan State University. Quintanilla will give an update on her latest research on soybean cyst nematode, sugarbeet cyst nematode, and a few others that affect crops such as corn and wheat.

Following Quintanilla's presentation, MSU Extension climatologist Jeff Andresen will present a 15-minute weather summary and forecast. One RUP credit and one CCA credit will be awarded following the presentations. A question and answer period will follow until 8 a.m. Other MSU Extension specialists and educators will be available for discussion.

Sign up for the Field Crops Virtual Breakfast at http://eepurl.com/gm-PIv

MSU Extension Field Crops Virtual Breakfast sessions are held every week during the growing season via Zoom. These virtual meetings take place every Thursday morning from 7 to 8 a.m. through Sept. 22. The Virtual Breakfast Series is flexible, fluid and able to adapt when issues arise due to unforeseen growing conditions. There will be an open 25-minute Q&A session following the presentations with MSU specialists and educators. Participants are encouraged to log into the Zoom link five minutes prior to the start time for a tech check and receive announcements.

Participating is easy and free! You can join the live meeting via Zoom using a computer, tablet, mobile device or regular phone line. If you are new to Zoom, simply download the Zoom app and you will be ready to join online every week to see visuals shared by presenters. A call-in by phone option is also available but note that you will only hear the audio portion.

Participants must sign up to receive an email notification with instructions for joining the Virtual Breakfast. You only need to do this once and you will receive the Zoom link and call-in phone number, as well as weekly reminders every Wednesday and Thursday. Participants receiving emails can opt in or out at any time.

Sign up to receive Virtual Breakfast Zoom information at http://eepurl.com/gm-PIv If you cannot participate in the live session at 7 a.m., you can view the recorded version at any time. However, only the live session will be eligible for RUP and CCA credits. Recordings will be closed-captioned and available at the Field Crops Virtual Breakfast webpage and the MSU Extension Field Crops Team social media platforms: Facebook, Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts and Twitter.

If you are unable to sign up online, call the Lapeer County MSU Extension office at 810-667-0341.