Great Lakes Field Crops Irrigation Meeting 2026
Feb. 25, 2026
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Blue Gate Theatre
195 N. Van Buren St., Shipshewana, IN 46565
Agricultural producers from Indiana and Michigan need to fine-tune their irrigated corn and soybean production systems to maintain and increase profitability. Because of this, Michigan State University Extension and Purdue University Extension are cooperating to conduct an educational program to address issues related to producing corn and soybean under irrigation. This meeting is offered with financial support from the Michigan Soybean Committee, Corn Marketing Program of Michigan, Indiana Corn Marketing Council and Indiana Soybean Alliance.
AGENDA
| 8:30 a.m. | Registration opens (light breakfast available) |
| 9 a.m. | Welcome & Announcements |
| 9:05 a.m. | Cash Rents on Irrigated Land - Jon LaPorte, MSU |
| 9:45 a.m. | Soybean Weed Management Under Irrigation - Christy Sprague, MSU |
| 10:30 a.m. | Break |
| 10:40 a.m. | Cover Crops Under Irrigation - Grower Panel |
| 11:30 a.m. | ESA Pesticide Regulatory Update - Mark Evans, Purdue |
| 12 p.m. | Lunch |
| 1 p.m. | Irrigation Scheduling: Justifying Water Use, Keeping Records - MSUE Irrigation Team |
| 1:30 p.m. | Disease Concerns of Irrigated Corn and Soybeans - Darcy Telenko, Purdue |
| 2:15 p.m. | Break |
| 2:25 p.m. | Fertility, Manure and Irrigation - Melissa Lehman, Agronomic Solutions |
| 3:20 p.m. | Grainonomics: Unraveling Current Markets and Identifying Opportunities - Jerod Leman & Brian Wiggins, Wellington Commodities |
| 4 p.m. | Evaluation, Credits and Adjourn |
CREDITS
3 Michigan RUP credits (Private Core, 1A)
Indiana PARP (sponsored by the Indiana Corn Marketing Council & Indiana Soybean Alliance)
Indiana Commercial CCH: Category 1, 14, RT
CCA CEUs: 1 NM, 1.5 SW, 1.5 IPM, 1 PD
COST
Due to generous support from our sponsors, we are able to offer this meeting at a cost of only $40 per person when registering by Feb. 18 ($50 after that date). The cost includes all educational programming, event handouts, and a family-style lunch at the Blue Gate Restaurant. Registrations cancelled on or after Feb. 19 will incur a $40 cancellation fee.
Registration for Great Lakes Field Crops Irrigation Meeting 2026 is open.
Registration closes at 11:59 p.m. ET on February 23, 2026.
Accommodations
Michigan State University Extension programs, services events, and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, or veteran status. Accommodations for persons with disabilities may be requested by contacting the event contact two weeks prior to the start of the event. Requests received after this date will be honored whenever possible.
Contact Information
For questions regarding registration, please contact Nicolle Ritchie with MSU Extension at ritchi67@msu.edu or 269-858-8739 for assistance.
For more information about the program, contact the LaGrange County Extension Office at 260-499-6334 or lagrangeces@purdue.edu.