Hosted by OSU Extension

More than 50 people attended the first East central Oklahoma Pesticide Conference held at the McIntosh County Fairgrounds Thursday, Jan. 25.

“Hopefully we can grow next year,” said Pamela Ward, Extension Educator with OSU Extension who put on the event.

Those who attended received four credit hours for their participation.

“In order for private applicators (of herbicides) to keep their licenses, continuing education credit hours is required,” Ward said.

The trade show, which provides valuable information about applying herbicides to land, is open to the public as well.

Most of those who attended the initial event were from McIntosh County, but Adair, Sequoyah, Cherokee and Muskogee counties also were represented.

All of the speakers were from Oklahoma State University, including Kevin Shelton, State Pesticide Coordinator; Brian Pugh, Northeast District OSU Ex-tension Agronomist; Josh Bushong, West District OSU Extension Agronomist; Todd Baughman, OSU Extension Row Crop Weed Specialist; and Jace Goodwin, Sequoyah County Ag Educator.

Among topics covered were pasture recovery; rules and regulations for private applicators; spraying near ponds and waterway; spring wheat crops and cattle market outlook.

The trade show was a oneday event. Lunch was catered by Watson’s Meat Market of Checotah.