The 23 ^rd Annual Crop Production Clinic Field Day on March 1 helped prepare agricultural producers in western Oklahoma for crop production in a season of drought.

“This year, our major focus is the weather and chemical prices.

“We are facing a drought in western Oklahoma, and herbicide and pesticide prices are up,” said Jason Warren, Oklahoma State University Extension specialist for soil and water conservation.

“We talk about weather outlook so producers can be prepared. It is important to at least have an idea of what the weather is going to do, so you can change your management style to adapt.”

The event was Tuesday at the Oklahoma Panhandle Research and Extension Center in Goodwell and included the following topics.

• Weather outlook and crop management based on the weather outlook

Gary McManus from the Oklahoma Climatological Survey (Mesonet) provided agricultural producers with a weather outlook during the event, and OSU scientists will discuss how producers can manage their crops in varying weather conditions.

• Nutrient management planning

A representative of the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Natural Resources Conservation Service talked about nutrient management planning and available programs.

• Input costs for herbicides and pesticides

OSU scientists provided an outlook on increased herbicide and pesticide prices and strategies on how to optimize the efficiency of products in chemical management.

• Testing Ag Performance Solutions (TAPS) program research and award winners

OSU scientists sharedhow nitrogen and water management affect profitability and efficiency factors.

TAPS is an interactive program that allows producers to test research-based, improved technologies and strategies at OSU Ag Research sites in the Oklahoma Panhandle.

It is a competitive program in which agricultural producers and OSU scientists are honored for their achievements.