
2019 was the last in-person crop diagnostic day.
Ontario’s annual summer crop conferences are retreating to the digital realm for another growing season amid continued uncertainty about provincial reopening plans. The first instalment of this year’s all-virtual series is set for July 21st as a live-streamed video. (See the links at fieldcropnews.com when they become available; last year’s sessions are also found there.)
Eight video sessions are planned in total, released every two weeks through Oct. 21. Three sessions will be broadcast as actual live events.
The online ‘Summer Diagnostic Days’ series combines and replaces what would normally have been three day-long field gatherings of farmers in Winchester (Eastern Ontario Diagnostic Day), Ridgetown (Southwestern Ontario Diagnostic Day) and Elora (FarmSmart Expo and Diagnostic Day). They’re a summertime tradition dating back more than 25 years — uninterrupted until the pandemic came along.
Registered attendees can earn continuing education credits toward Crop Advisor certification, and that’s true with the virtual editions as well. Up to eight credits are available this year.