By Andi Anderson
Michigan State University Extension invites farmers and ag professionals to the next session of the Field Crops Virtual Breakfast Series on Thursday, June 12, 2025. This free session will focus on Cercospora leaf spot, a serious sugarbeet disease, and how to manage it early in the growing season.
Dr. Jaime Willbur, associate professor at MSU, will lead the presentation. She is an expert in sugarbeet disease management and will offer strategies for identifying the disease, understanding risk factors, and applying early-season control methods to protect yields and improve sugar content at harvest.
As summer brings warmer temperatures and wetter leaf conditions, early action becomes more critical. This session is designed to help farmers improve their disease scouting and make informed decisions.
Following the presentation, Jeff Andresen, MSU Extension’s agricultural meteorologist, will give a 15-minute weather summary and forecast, highlighting conditions that may affect disease development and fieldwork. A live Q&A will follow, allowing participants to interact with MSU specialists and educators.
The Virtual Breakfast Series takes place every Thursday from 7–8 a.m., March through September, and provides timely updates on field crop issues. Each session includes a featured topic, weekly weather outlook, and open discussion time.
Participation is free and easy. Just sign up once to receive a Zoom link and weekly email reminders. Attendees can join by computer, tablet, smartphone, or phone call.
Bonus for live attendees: many sessions offer Restricted Use Pesticide (RUP) credits and Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) continuing education units.
To register and receive weekly notifications, visit the MSU Extension Field Crops Virtual Breakfast Series sign-up page. Don’t miss this opportunity to stay informed and connected throughout the growing season.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-luiscarlosjimenezi
Categories: Michigan, Education, Rural Lifestyle, Farm Safety