By Andi Anderson
The Michigan State University Extension is organizing an online session focused on managing Cercospora leafspot, an important crop disease affecting sugarbeets. This session is part of the 2026 MSU Extension Field Crops Virtual Breakfast Series and will be held on Thursday, June 4. It aims to provide useful knowledge on identifying and controlling the disease to improve crop yields.
The session will be presented by Jaime Willbur, an Associate Professor at Michigan State University. She is well known for her work in research and extension programs related to sugarbeet diseases. During the session, she will explain the symptoms of Cercospora leafspot and share effective management strategies. As the weather becomes warmer and leaf wetness increases, the risk of disease also rises. Therefore, early-season disease control is important to protect crops and maintain sugar levels at harvest.
After the main presentation, agricultural meteorologist Jeff Andresen will provide a weekly weather update. His reports are an important part of the series, as they help farmers plan their activities according to changing weather conditions. Many farmers find these updates helpful for making better decisions in the field.
The Virtual Breakfast Series takes place every Thursday from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m., running from March through September. These sessions are conducted through Zoom, allowing participants to join using computers, tablets, mobile devices, or even a phone call. The program is flexible and adapts to current farming issues and seasonal challenges.
Each session also includes a 20-minute question-and-answer segment, where participants can interact directly with experts and ask questions. This helps farmers gain practical solutions to their problems. Participants are advised to join a few minutes early to check their connection and receive any announcements.
The program is free to attend, and participants can also earn restricted use pesticide credits and certified crop adviser education units by attending live sessions.
To join, participants must register once and will then receive weekly reminders along with joining instructions. They can choose to continue or stop receiving updates at any time. Overall, this virtual program offers a valuable opportunity for farmers to improve their knowledge and manage crop diseases effectively.
Photo Credit: michigan-state-university-msu
Categories: Michigan, Education