Continuing Education Credits

The RMRTA Conference will offer several options for CEC for the following categories: LR, 108, 206, 207 and Core Credits.  See below.  Also, the conference has been approved by Nebraska and Wyoming for our out of state attendees.

GCSAA and SFMA have both approved the conference for external education points!

These codes will be given at the end of the conference.

AM Workshops - Tuesday, December 3, 2024

AM Workshops - 8AM-11AM

  • Turf and Weedy Grass Identification (Category 206) - Dr. Tony Koski - This workshop will discuss why correct identification of both the weed and desirable turf is essential for developing integrated management programs for weeds in turf management. Also, the importance of correct identification allows the applicator to make better decisions on which herbicides are most likely to control the weed, while reducing the potential for phytotoxic responses from the turf. Identification will be taught using live samples and an assortment of hard copy keys/books and internet-based keys and phone apps.

PM Workshops -12PM-3PM

  • Tree & Shrub Identification (Category 207) - Dr. Alison O'Connor, Eric Hammond - CSU - This hands-on session will focus on the plant diagnostic process. Tree and shrub samples will be used to help students become more proficient in plant identification. Plant diagnostic samples will be presented for diagnosis and discussion.
  • Soilborne Diseases: Monsters Underneath the Bed (Category 206) - Dr. Lee Miller - Purdue University - Soilborne turfgrass diseases are particularly difficult to diagnose and manage because the pathogens subversively infect and damage roots well before plant symptoms arise. This seminar will describe the soil environment in correlation with the biology and epidemiology of the pathosystem of soilborne diseases infecting cool-season turfgrasses. The course will also explain the crucial aspects of each disease cycle, highlighting where disease control measures can most effectively impede pathogen development.

Wednesday, December 4, 2024

9:00AM-10:00AM

  • Dr. Tony Koski - Colorado State University - Stupid Things That Turf People Do To Trees (Category 207) - Most of our landscapes have trees and turf growing together. Routine turf management practices like mowing and string trimming, done improperly, can negatively impact the health of trees. The use of pesticides - especially herbicides - and likewise cause unintended injury to trees. This talk will discuss the unintentional problems that can afflict trees when turf management around those trees isn't thoughtfully practiced.

10:00AM-11:00AM

  • Dr. Roch Gaussoin - University of Nebraska - Pre, Post or Both for Better Annual Grass Control (Category 206) - Herbicide options for annual grass control include preemergence and postemergence. Traditionally, applicators have used two preemergence applications in the Spring and postemergence “rescue” treatment if needed. Is there a more efficacious approach? Research results will be presented to show advantageous of multiple scenarios for optimal annual grass control.

2:00PM-3:00PM

  • Dr. Lee Miller - Purdue University - Lawn: Diagnosing Lawn Problems Often Requires Some Digging (Category 206)- While fewer diseases may afflict turfgrass when the mower blade is raised, several problems can still raise eyebrows when damaging a lawn or sports field. This seminar will discuss the thought process in diagnosing issues on higher cut turfgrasses, including how to differentiate between true diseases and abiotic disorders, which may require a closer look at soil conditions and some inquiry of your clientele.

3:00PM-4:00PM

  • Dr. Kevin Frank - Michigan State University - When Bad Things Happen to Good Turf: Diagnosing and Solving Abiotic and Biotic Injury (Category 206) - This presentation will cover real world scenarios where turf damage occurred and discuss potential solutions. Case studies and recovery strategies will be presented for insect, disease, weed, and abiotic stresses.
  • Dr. Tony Koski - Colorado State University - Conversion To Natives (Category 207) The conversion of conventional lawn grass turf areas to less-intensively maintained native grasses has become a common practice in HOAs, commercial landscapes, and city-maintained spaces. Success or failure of these conversions is dependent on informed species selection, correct seeding timing and process, smart water management during establishment, and timely use of herbicides. This talk will present the most important aspects of the conversion process to ensure success.

Thursday, December 5, 2024

8:00AM-12:00PM

  • Pesticide Applicators Core Credits - Lisa Blecker - Colorado State University - Core Credit CEU will provide all 7 core commercial applicator credits: Use of Pesticides: Label Reading Applicators will learn how to read the label and where to find the information they need to know when making pesticide applications. This will include; Restricted use statement, Brand name, active ingredient list, Ag Use Requirements box, non-ag use requirements box, mode of action, formulation, directions for use, and precautionary statements. Pesticides and their Families: Mode Of Action (MOA) Applicators will learn about what Mode of Action is and why it’s important to pay attention to the modes of action they are using on their crop/site. Applicators will receive resources they can use to help them make more informed and effective pesticide application decisions. Applicators will learn how to use the label to help them identify the mode of action they are using and how to make effective pesticide applications. Environmental Protection: Endangered Species Act (ESA) Applicators will learn about the new EPA requirements regarding the Endangered Species Act and pesticide applications. Applicators will learn how they can use the label and other resources to comply with these new requirements. Applicator Safety: Respiratory Protection Applicators will learn how to properly use respirators and comply with all respirator training/use requirements. This includes; how to find the proper respirator for the job and applicator, how to complete a medical evaluation, how to complete a fit test, and how to complete and document respirator training. Applicators will learn how to read and interpret label PPE statements as they pertain to respirators. Public Safety: Pesticide Spills and Emergency Response Applicators will learn how to prevent spills and emergencies. In case of emergency, applicators will learn proper spill clean-up procedures, as well as first aid and emergency procedures. Applicators will learn how to find emergency and safety information on the label, SDS, and workplace resources.

8:00AM-9:00AM

  • John Scott - Department of Agriculture - Dept. of Agriculture Regulations and Changes (Category LR)
  • Whitney Cranshaw - Colorado State University - The Secret Life Of Gallmakers (Category 207) - Perhaps the most unusual kind of injury that insects can produce on plants is the production of galls. These are abnormal growths that some insects (and some mites) can tease the plant to produce on leaves, stems, flowers and fruit. The galls that are produced rarely cause significant injury to the plant, but often attract attention and concern. They are also distinctive and each kind is associated with one kind of plant, so they can often be used in plant identification. This program will review how galls are produced and discuss the lives of the “bugs” that make them.
  • Kaitlyn Quincy - SePro - The Basics of Algae and Aquatic Weed Management (Category 108) - Managing algae and plants in aquatic systems can be a difficult task. This talk aims to outline the basics of managing aquatic systems to help participants develop comprehensive, effective treatment plans with proven strategies. This presentation covers management of floating, emergent, and submersed aquatic species, including plants and algae, using herbicides and algaecides. The speaker will address the consideration of end goals, water use, and water characteristics when developing a management plan. It includes discussion of new chemistries and techniques to manage nuisance aquatic species and will provide an outline of how to approach a variety of aquatic management challenges.

9:00AM-10:00AM

  • Colm Allan - Corteva - Weed Management Program in Turf: IPM Strategies to Keep Turf Weed Free (Category 206) - I will be discussing weed management strategies for turf; including but not limited to: cultural approaches, biological controls, and chemical control.
  • Kaitlyn Quincy - SePro - The Importance of Water Quality in Managing Aquatic Systems (Category 108) - This presentation will focus on the influence water quality has on common aquatic management problems. It will invite participants to take a whole-lake approach to management, rather than treating individual problems like plants or algae. The speaker will discuss the role of nutrient cycling and it’s impact on common aquatic issues. The speaker will offer solutions to some of the most common water quality problems such as high nutrient loading from both the water column and the sediment.

11:00AM-12:00PM

  • Colm Allan - Corteva - Turfgrass Diseases (Category 206) How to Identify, Mitigate, and Manage Through Sound IPM Strategies - Pathology 101 – i.e. disease development, hosts, environments, pathogen, etc. Disease Identification Cultural control practices (i.e. irrigation schedules, mowing, fertilization, traffic, etc.) Chemical control: preventative vs. reactive
  • Taylor Turner - Numerator Technologies - Management Of Turf Under Poor Irrigation Sources (Category 206) - The top 1.5 to 2 inches of turf soil profiles will mimic the irrigation water sources. If the water sources are high in alkalinity, calcium bicarbonates and sodium. Turf grasses will be affected by poor water infiltration, penetration, calcium bicarbonate and sodium toxicities. The seminar will be covering strategies to improve water movement into soil profiles to reduce amount of irrigation applied. In situations of calcium bicarbonate, sodium toxicity will be discussing management strategies to improve soil structure, improve overall fertility of turf grasses and increasing turf quality.
  • Whitney Cranshaw - Colorado State University - Ever Changing Challenges Of Insect Problems (Category 207) - There are many things that make the types of insect problems found on woody landscape in the western states to be unique. They can also be quite dynamic, shifting over time due to factors such as climate events, introduction of new species, and changes in pesticide availability and performance. A review of what have been many of the more significant changes observed in Colorado since the mid-1980s will be provided.
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