Farmers and agribusiness dealers can gain valuable information on managing nematodes in corn and soybean during a workshop on December 13. The program will be held at Buck's Barn, 5020 IL Route 84, Thomson, Illinois.

Why the concern over nematodes? Corn nematodes are the most frequently overlooked cause of corn diseases and currently, soybean cyst nematode is the most damaging soybean pest in the state. Some of the questions addressed during the workshop include: Who should be concerned about nematodes, and why? What is the life cycle and characteristics of nematodes? How do I manage and control nematodes? What are "new" strategies in nematode management?

Dr. Terry Niblack, University of Illinois Extension nematologist, will be the featured presenter. The workshop will include handout material, informal discussion, and the opportunity to view nematodes under a microscope. Emphasis will be placed on nematode problems and management specific to sandy soil. Registration begins at 9:30 am, and the workshop will be conducted from 10:00 am to 2:30 pm. Continuing education units (CEU's) in integrated pest management have been applied for Certified Crop Advisers.

The cost is $20.00 per person if registered by December 6, or $30.00 per person after the 6th. Individuals can register by contacting Carroll County Extension, 807 D South Clay Street, Mt. Carroll, IL 61053; phone 815-244-9444. Make check payable to University of Illinois Extension or make credit card payment via the Jo-Carroll website at http://jdc.extension.uiuc.edu. A brochure is available from the Carroll County Extension office. The program is sponsored by University of Illinois Extension.

University of Illinois Extension will offer Master Gardener training at Oregon and Rock Island beginning in January, 2008. Volunteer Master Gardeners are a vital link in getting horticulture information to the public. They provide answers to a variety of home gardening questions and volunteer their services for community beautification plans, Junior Master Gardener programimg, gardening workshops and numerous other projects.

Master Gardener Trainees receive over 60 hours of in-depth training from University of Illinois educators and specialists. The classes contain unbiased, research-based practical information. Basic botany, vegetables, fruits, insects, diseases, soils, turf grass and ornamentals such as trees and flowers are a sampling of the topics taught.

Master Gardeners are ordinary people with two special qualities – a love of gardening and nature, and the desire to share that knowledge with others. Applicants must fill out the application, sign the volunteer agreement form, submit a fee for training manuals and return all of this to the Extension office by early December. Because class size is limited, all applicants will be interviewed. An internet training option is also available for those unable to attend in person.

Classes are offered one day a week for 11 weeks. Upon completion of the course, the intern is expected to volunteer 60 hours of service, mostly during week days, over a one or two year period.

"Helping others learn to grow" is the mission of the program. Anyone interested in learning more about the program and the specifics of the 2008 training schedule should contact the University of Illinois Extension Office in Mt. Carroll at 815-244-9444 or in Elizabeth at 815-858-2273.

Helping farm women develop their management and decision-making skills and gain confidence in agriculture, the workshop program "Annie's Project – Education for Farm Women" is being offered in Stockton during February. Dates of the six session series includes February 5, 8, 12, 15, 19 and 22 with each session running from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at Holy Cross Church, Stockton.

Using several agriculture industry and University of Illinois Extension educators as speakers, Annie's Project will cover topics that include goal setting, business planning, family communications, keeping track of financial records, interpreting financial information, understanding insurance options (liability, health, life, long-term care, crop, etc.) leases, retirement and estate planning, risk management, commodity marketing basics, soils and crop basics, and much more.

The course fee is $50 which covers the cost of a program binder, computer software, handout materials and refreshments. For more information or to obtain a program flyer, contact Jo Daviess County Extension at 815-858-2273 or e-mail seoconno@uiuc.edu. Sign up today as space is limited. Program sponsors include 1^st Farm Credit Services, Carroll Service Company, Ag & Small Business Service of Lena, Highland Community College, Jo Daviess Farm Bureau and University of Illinois Extension.

Sustaining Illinois Soils will be the focus of the Soil and Water Management Workshop to be offered by University of Illinois Extension at 3 locations on December 6, 2007 and 2 locations on February 21, 2008. The workshop will provide 4 continuing education units in soil and water management and 1 hour in nutrient management for Certified Crop Advisors. Although CCA credit is offered, anyone interested is welcome to attend.

The December 6th workshop locations are at University of Illinois Extension offices in Oregon, Princeton, and Springfield (registration due by Nov. 29) and the February 21 workshop locations are at University of Illinois Extension offices in St. Charles and Freeport (registration due by Feb.14). Each meeting is scheduled for 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. Lunch will be provided for registrants. Presentations will be provided by both live speakers and through the U. of I. teleconference system.

Topics presented will include Understanding Illinois Soils, Soils and Climate Change, Recycling Dredged Sediment for Topsoil, Phosphorous and Soils, and Soil Microbiology. Speakers will include University of Illinois specialists and Extension Educators.

Registration fees are $30 per person, and must be sent to the Extension office location where participants will attend.. To obtain registration forms, contact one of the following Extension offices: Ogle County, Oregon, ph. 815.732.2191; Bureau County, Princeton, ph. 815.875.2878; Sangamon County, Springfield, ph. 217.782.4617; Stephenson County, Freeport, ph. 815.235.4125; or Kane County, St. Charles, ph. 630.584.6166 or email Duane Friend, Extension Educator, Natural Resources at friend@uiuc.edu.

Cows, Barns and People – Three great ways to modernize dairy operations! Come to the historic city of Galena, IL and network with dairy producers and industry specialists to see how you can modernize through nutrition, transition, choosing a builder, working with a consultant or modernizing yourself! The Tri-State Regional Dairy Summit V will be held on Tuesday, December 11, 2007 at the Galena Convention Center from 9:15 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. The cost is $40 per person and $20 for each additional person from the same family if registered by November 28, or $50 per person after then. A copy of the brochure can be obtained by contacting the Jo Daviess County office at 815-858-2273. Individuals can register by contacting Jodi McDermott , University of Wisconsin Platteville at 608-342-1365.

Healthy Soil=Healthy Plants - January 29 @ 1 p.m. or January 31 @ 7 p.m.

Carnivorous Plants - February 12 @ 1 p.m. or February 14 @ 7 p.m.

Climbers & Twiners: Vines for the Home Garden - February 26 @ 1 p.m. or February 28 at 7 p.m. (7 p.m. telenets are in Mt. Carroll Office ONLY)

All sessions are offered in Elizabeth or Mt. Carroll Extension Offices. Fee is $ 5 per person per session. Please register in advance by calling your county office.

Detailed results are now available at the Mt. Carroll and Elizabeth Extension offices for the nine Jo-Carroll Extension Unit soybean variety and corn hybrid plots harvested for 2007.

Carroll County plots include: two reduced tillage corn plots hosted by Sam Dykstra, Mt. Carroll where 49 corn-on- soybean entries averaged 208 bushels per acre and 50 corn-on-corn entries averaged 195 bushels; a no-till corn-on-soybean plot hosted by Phil Michael, Lanark, where 43 entries averaged 209 bushels; a reduced tillage soybean plot at Sam Dykstra's where 31 entries averaged 65 bushels and a no-till soybean plot at Phil Michael's where 33 entries averaged 74 bushels.

Jo Daviess County plots include: two reduced tillage corn plots hosted by Wayne Simmons, Stockton, where 56 corn-on-soybean entries averaged 200 bushels per acre and 59 corn-on-corn entries averaged 193 bushels; a no-till corn-on-soybean plot hosted by Howard Sincox, Apple River, where 41 entries averaged 192 bushels per acre and a no-till soybean plot also at Howard Sincox's where 34 entries averaged 51 bushels.

Plot sponsors included twenty participating seed companies and University of Illinois Extension. For each no-till plot, additional assistance and sponsorship included the Carroll County Soil and Water Conservation District and the Jo Daviess County Soil and Water Conservation District in their respective counties. Plot results booklets can be picked up at your local Extension office or are available by e-mail by contacting Mark Maidak, Jo-Carroll Unit Director, at mmaidak@uiuc.edu

Dec 4	8:30-12:00	Agronomy Update	U of I Stephenson County 815-235-4125	Freeport-Highland Community College
Dec 6	9:00-2:00	Soil & Water Mgmt Workshop	U of I Ogle County, 815-732-2191	Oregon-Farm Bureau Building
Dec 6	9:00 a.m.	PSEP Training & Testing	U Of I Stephenson County 815-245-4125	Lena-Community Building
Dec 11	9:15-3:45	Dairy Summit V	U of Wisconsin 608-342-1365	Galena-Convention Center
Dec 13	9:30-2:00	Nematodes Workshop	U of I Carroll County 815-244-9444	Thomson- Buck's Barn
Dec 13	8:00-3:00	Information Technology For Ag Conference	U of I McLean County 309-663-8306	Bloomington-Interstate Center
Dec 13	8:00-3:00	2007 Illinois Farm Economic Summit	University of Illinois 217-333-5506	Sycamore-Center for Agriculture
Jan 8	7-9 p.m.	Shepherd's Telenet Program	U of I Carroll County 815-244-9444 or U of I Jo Daviess County 815-858-2273	Mt. Carroll & Elizabeth- Extension Meeting Rooms
Jan 9		Farm Show	U of I Dekalb County 815-758-8194	Dekalb-NIU Convocation Center
Jan 14	7-9 p.m.	Shepherd's Telenet Program	U of I Carroll County 815-244-9444 or U of I Jo Daviess County 815-858-2273	Mt. Carroll & Elizabeth- Extension Meeting Rooms
Jan 15	9:45-2:30	Illinois Dairy Days	U Of I Stephenson County 815-245-4125	Freeport-Highland Community College
Jan 16	9:45-2:30	Illinois Dairy Days	U of I Jo Daviess County 815-858-2273	Elizabeth– Community Building
Jan 17-18		Midwest Organic Conference	University of Illinois 217-244-2880	Champaign– Illini Union
Jan 24	9:00 a.m.	PSEP Training & Testing	U of I Carroll County 815-244-9444	Shannon-First State Bank
Jan 29	1:00 p.m.	Healthy Soil=Healthy Plants Telenet	U of I Carroll County 815-244-9444 or U of I Jo Daviess County 815-858-2273	Mt. Carroll & Elizabeth- Extension Meeting Rooms
Jan 31	9:00-12:00	Small Grain Workshop-Wheat	U of I Winnebago 815-986-4357	Pecatonica-US Bank Basement
Feb 5	9:00-12:00	Annie's Project (Six Sessions)	U of I Jo Daviess County 815-858-2273	Stockton-Holy Cross Church

Dec. 6 - 9 a.m. U of I Stephenson Co. 815-235-4125 - Community Bldg. Lena

Dec. 11 - 9 a.m. U of I Warren Co. 309-734-5161 - VFW Hall, Monmouth

Dec. 19 - 9 a.m. U of I Henry Co. 309-853-1533 - Blackhawk East, Galva

Jan. 24 - 9 a.m. U of I Carroll Co. 815-244-9444 - First State Bank, Shannon

Jan. 29 - 8:30 a.m. U of I Lee So. 815-857-3525 - Loveland Community Bldg.

Jan. 30 - 9 a.m. U of I Rock Island Co. 309-796-0512 - Community Bldg., Milan

Pre-registration is required for all sessions by calling the office listed. $ 30 training fee per person.

The Northwestern Illinois Forage and Grassland Council will host their hay and straw auctions at the Orangeville Boco MiniMart parking lot, Route 26, on the 2^nd and 4^th Saturday's beginning at 11 am. The next auctions will be on Nov 24 and Dec 8 & 22. Questions about the auctions can be directed to Jim McNeil, B & M Hay Auctions (608-938-4822 or 608-293-9999), or Don Brown, Jr. (815-238-8372).

Lot 1	7 round bales, new seeding, alfalfa, $35/bale
Lot 2	10 large squares, 3rd crop, alfalfa, $55/bale
Lot 3	12 large squares, 1st crop, alfalfa, $55/bale
Lot 4	210 small squares, 2nd crop, alfalfa, $2.20/bale
Lot 5	188 small squares, 2nd crop, alfalfa, $2.20/bale
Lot 6	11 round bales, 1st crop, alfalfa, $30/bale
Lot 7	13 round bales, 1st crop, alfalfa, $29/bale
Lot 8	18 large squares, 3rd crop, alfalfa, $66/bale
Lot 9	6 round bales, 3rd crop, alfalfa, $38/bale