Purdue University and Michigan State University are hosting the 2009 Michiana Crops Conference on Dec. 4 in Shipshewana.

The conference will be from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Blue Gate Restaurant and Bakery, 195 N. Van Buren Street. Preregistration cost is $35 per person until Monday. Registration after Monday will be $40 per person.

Topics and speakers are:

* Global economic outlook for agriculture by Chris Hurt, Purdue Extension Ag economist.

* Manure: Is it part of your core values? by Brad Joern, Purdue Extension nutrient management specialist.

* Weed resistance issues from 2009 by Bill Johnson, Purdue Extension weed expert.

* Corn and soybean disease wrap-up by Kiersten Wise, Purdue Extension plant pathologist.

* Thoughts on seeding rates for corn by Bob Nielsen, Purdue Extension corn specialist.

* Cover crops: Using legumes in a management way for fertility by Dale Mutch, MSU Extension cover crops integrated pest management specialist.

* DriftWatch for the private applicator recertification program by Steve Engleking, Purdue Extension educator in LaGrange County.

Continuing education units, continuing certification hours, private applicator recertification credits, and restricted-use pesticide credits for Michigan applicators will be available to participants for an additional fee of $10.

Brochures and registration forms can be downloaded at http://www.agry.purdue.edu/dtc.

For more information about the conference, contact Connie Foster at (888) EXT-INFO or cfoster@purdue.edu or Corey Gerber at (765) 496-3755 or gerberc@purdue.edu.