Experts to teach farm forensics

Diagnosing crop culprits focus of OSU Extension Service workshop

By DD BIXBY

H&N Staff Writer

February 28, 2008

   Cops investigate crimes. Doctors examine patients. 

   But how do farmers figure out what’s wrong with crops in a field? 

   A team of OSU Extension specialists will be in Klamath Falls Friday to present an interactive workshop on farm forensics, a specialty involved in diagnosing crop issues. 

   “We get involved in cases with crops severely injured or dying and have to figure out what’s going on with it,” said Richard Affeldt, team leader and OSU weed scientist from Madras . 

   The event begins at 8:30 a.m. in the OSU Klamath Basin Research and Extension Center . Experts will present a step-by-step method for diagnosing crop culprits, such as insects, nematodes, weeds, disease, soil fertility, irrigation and cultural problems. 

   Familiar crops 

   Affeldt’s team will deal with some familiar crops to the Klamath Basin , and some unfamiliar. 

   This, he said, is so participants can step away from what they know and learn the process, which can be applied to a broader scope of crops. 

   Crops used as examples in the workshop will include wheat, onions, potatoes, alfalfa and grass seed. 

   Local extension agent Brian Charlton echoed Affeldt, saying that the workshop dealt more with the process than the culprit or the crop. 

   “It’s the decision making process that’s the main learning component,” he said. “The main intent is just how to refine and improve your diagnostic skills. I think, often times in order to do that, it’s good to have an example of problems that may not be applicable to this specific area. 

   “A cool aspect of the workshops is that we take real live problems that we’ve seen in the field,” Affeldt said. “And then we role play as the angry farmer.” 

   Skills to be tested 

   In the role-reversal activity, participants get to test their new diagnostic skills against the “angry farmers.” 

   Affeldt said about 20 people have pre-registered for the workshop. There is a cap of 40 participants, and they have had to turn people away at other workshops. 

   The Klamath Falls stop is the third in the workshops four-stop tour around Oregon . 

   Traveling with Affeldt are Glenn Fisher, an entomologist from Oregon State University ; Phil Hamm, an OSU plant pathologist from Hermiston , Oregon .

What:   Crop Diagnostic Workshop

When:   Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Where:   OSU Klamath Basin Research and Extension Center auditorium, 3328 Vandenberg Road .

Who:   OSU extension specialists from around Oregon

Cost:   $40

Contact:   Richard Affeldt, OSU Extension in Jefferson County , (541) 475-3808.
iston; and Don Horneck, an OSU agronomist from Hermiston.

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