By Andi Anderson
A special bonus episode of the Talking Crop podcast highlights an important educational session planned for the 2026 Northwest Illinois Agronomy Summit in Freeport, Illinois.
The episode is hosted by Kathryn Seebruck and features a discussion with Dan Smith, an expert in nutrient and pest management.
Dan Smith serves as the Outreach Program Manager for the Nutrient and Pest Management Program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension.
In the podcast conversation, he shares insights into his upcoming presentation at the agronomy summit, where he will speak about practical weed control solutions for today’s farmers.
Dan Smith’s presentation is titled “Managing waterhemp with cover crops.” During his session, he will explain how cover crops can be added to existing crop rotations to help suppress waterhemp, a weed that has become a major challenge in many crop production systems. He will discuss how cover crops compete with weeds for sunlight, nutrients, and space, making it harder for waterhemp to grow and spread.
The discussion also focuses on how farmers can successfully use cover crops without disrupting their current farming practices.
Dan Smith emphasizes that cover crops can support long-term soil health while also reducing weed pressure. These practices can help farmers manage weeds more sustainably and reduce dependence on chemical controls over time.
The Northwest Illinois Agronomy Summit is designed to provide practical and research-based information to farmers, crop advisers, and agronomy professionals.
Registration for the event is available online, and participants can also register by phone through the local extension office. The registration fee includes lunch, and certified crop advisers can earn five continuing education units by attending.
The Agronomy Summit series has expanded across Illinois, offering consistent education in multiple locations. A complete list of summit events is available online, helping producers choose sessions that best fit their needs and farming goals.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-zoomtravels
Categories: Illinois, Education, Rural Lifestyle