IDENTIFICATION AND MANAGEMENT OF AGRONOMIC PESTS

FISC 23

Students will learn about the multiple aspects of pesticides (herbicides, insecticides, and diseases) use in WI agronomic crops through learning about the patterns, application methods, resistance, regulation, and safe application. Emphasis will be placed on how to utilize existing resources to use pesticides safely, legally, and effectively while minimizing environmental impacts.

ENTOM 450

Covers population and community ecology, plant-insect interactions, insect biodiversity and biogeography, and applied ecology. Weaves basic ecological theory and principles with their application to entomological problems such as conservation, biological control, agriculture, and insect-vectored diseases of plants and humans. Uses current entomological and ecological scientific literature and draws on examples from a broad range of natural and managed ecosystems. Broadens from pairwise species interactions (e.g., a predator and its prey) to the entire community of organisms and their physical environment. Emphasizes the theoretical principles and historical background underlying the various topics with a link to potential applications in agriculture, conservation, pest management, and/or invasion biology.

FISC 145

Precision agriculture can aid in reducing inputs for crop production. Course provides an overview of precision agriculture technologies and will cover Global Positioning Systems, Geographic Information Systems, variable rate technology, section/flow control, soil and yield mapping, and guidance systems. Economics of the different technologies will be discussed. Previous experience with precision agriculture systems is not required.

FISC 123

Using tools to effectively manage the most common weed, insect, and disease pests seen on turfgrass in the Midwest; including proper identification of each pest, the biology of each pest, and cultural and chemical control strategies for each pest.

FISC 140

Principles of operation, construction, maintenance, and management of machines for the production of agricultural crops. Laboratory sessions include working with machine components and actual field machines. Previous experience with farm machinery is not required.