By Andi Anderson
Registration is now open for the 37th Annual Integrated Crop Management (ICM) Conference, which will be held on December 9–10, 2026, at Prairie Meadows in Altoona, Iowa.
Organized by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and the Iowa State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the event is designed to provide agricultural professionals and farmers with the latest research, expert insights, and practical crop management information.
The two-day conference serves as an important educational platform where participants can learn about emerging agricultural technologies, crop production practices, pest management strategies, soil health, nutrient management, and water quality issues.
Attendees will also have opportunities to network with industry professionals and gain knowledge that can be directly applied to farming operations and customer advisory services.
Erin Hodgson, professor and extension entomologist at Iowa State and one of the conference organizers, emphasized the value of the event, stating, "What makes the ICM Conference unique is the ripple effect. The information shared during these two days doesn't stop with the individuals in the room. Attendees take what they learn back to their customers, colleagues and farming operations, helping improve decisions on acres across Iowa and beyond."
This year’s conference will feature 32 educational workshops covering a wide range of agricultural topics. Experts from leading universities and agricultural organizations will share research findings and management recommendations to help producers address current and future challenges.
Featured presentations include a keynote by Zach Easton, H.E. and Elizabeth Alphin professor and extension specialist in biological systems engineering at Virginia Tech, focusing on nutrient reduction goals and water quality challenges in agricultural watersheds. A panel discussion led by Matt Helmers, professor and director of the Iowa Nutrient Research Center at Iowa State, will allow participants to discuss conservation and water quality concerns affecting agriculture.
Additional presentations will explore crop disease management, biological products, regional crop management approaches, and market opportunities. Morgan Goodnight, Ph.D. candidate at Purdue University, will discuss factors influencing fungicide effectiveness. Bradley Miller, associate professor of agronomy at Iowa State, will explain how landscape and soil differences impact farming decisions.
Connor Sible, research assistant professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, will review the effectiveness of biological agricultural products. Margaret Smith, forage agronomist with Albert Lea Seeds, will share insights into oat production opportunities for food, feed, and cover crop seed markets.
A new feature of the conference is the mobile ISU Extension Store, where attendees can purchase field guides, crop production references, and other educational publications.
The event also offers professional development benefits. Certified Crop Advisers can earn up to 14 continuing education credits, while Iowa commercial pesticide applicators can complete required continuing instruction courses in several certification categories.
Early-bird registration is available through November 16 for $260. Registration from November 17 through December 3 costs $310, while on-site registration will be available for $350. Additional fees apply for pesticide continuing instruction courses.
By bringing together leading experts and agricultural professionals, the Integrated Crop Management Conference continues to provide valuable knowledge and practical solutions that support productive, profitable, and sustainable farming operations.
Photo Credit: istock-dusanpetkovic
Categories: Iowa, Crops, Sustainable Agriculture