Quad County Crops Newsletter
Tri-County Crop Management Input Seminar
December 9th, 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Crow River Winery
4848 MN-7, Hutchinson, MN 55350
University of Minnesota Extension and the Hutchinson Chamber of Commerce are excited to announce the 2026 Crop Management Input Seminar set for Tuesday, December 9, 2025. This event will run from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Crow River Winery in Hutchinson. Tickets are $20 per person at the door or available through one of our event sponsors and at the McLeod County Extension Office and will be available in late October. Opportunities for education, networking and fun are all included in this year’s program, along with a light breakfast and catered lunch. Presentations include:
Debalin Sarangi – Weed Management
Bob Koch – Soybean Pest Management
Dan Kaiser – P&K Soil Testing and Fertilizer Requirements
Dave Nicolai and Matt Pfarr– Crops Hot Topics for 2026
Dean Malvick – Corn and Soybean Diseases
Ed Usset – Grain Marketing
During the program, the Hutchinson Chamber of Commerce Agribusiness Committee will also be recognizing the Ag Person of the Year Award. More information can be found by going to z.umn.edu/CropSeminar2026. You can also contact Taylor Herbert at 612-394-5229 or therbert@umn.edu. Or call the McLeod County Extension Office at 320-484-4334
Women in Agriculture Network Conference
The Women in Ag Network is a collaboration between the University of Minnesota Extension and Minnesota’s Farm Service Agency. It provides educational opportunities and events that enhance women’s leadership, management and production skills in agriculture. Our goal is to connect individuals to relevant, research-based education and to each other. All are welcome.
Learn more and register for the 2026 Women in Ag Network Conference.
Great Lakes Cover Crop Project
The Great Lakes Cover Crop Project (GLCCP) is recruiting farmers for the 2025-26 season to help identify cover crop best management practices and nutrient contributions. Farmers who enroll complete a short management survey in the winter and collect cover crop photos and height measurements at termination in the spring. In return, participants will receive a cover crop biomass and nutrient estimate report plus $50 per field for up to three fields. Sign up for GLCCP here!
MN Organic Conference
Whether you're an experienced producer or new to the field, don’t miss out on this valuable opportunity to connect with Minnesota’s thriving organic community!
January 8th-9th, 2026 | River's Edge Convention Center, St. Cloud
2025 University of Minnesota field crop variety trial results available now
University of Minnesota variety trials compare varieties across companies to help farmers make the most informed seed purchasing decisions. Crops trialed in 2025 include barley, canola, oat, soybean, spring wheat, winter rye, and winter wheat.
Soil health lab test quick guide: What can they tell us?
Fall is a popular time of year for soil sampling. If you submitted samples this year and have had soil health on your mind, this article compares a few soil health tests that can help you measure the health of your soil beyond the nutrients in it.
Navigating tight margins in agriculture
This article is short and sweet. In times of tight margins for crop growers, Garen Paulson shares his list of business traits to ponder to make sure you’re maximizing the financial productivity of your farm. Obviously, the name of the game is to increase revenue and reduce cost; here are some tips on how.
