Crop producers are encouraged to attend a pesticide update training planned for Thursday at Deerfield Farms Crop Center in New Wilmington.

A second session will be held Nov. 4 at the Atrium on Route 422, west of Butler. Both programs are scheduled to run from 7 to 9:30 p.m.

Justin McCullough and Ryan Hockensmith, agronomists from Deerfield Farms Service, will discuss pest-related issues experienced in Western Pennsylvania during the 2008-09 growing season.

Topics will include cutworms, soybean aphids, corn leaf diseases, slugs and the emergence of late annual weeds in many fields. Core topics will include pesticide storage options and a review of math problems commonly encountered with crop protection.

The program was approved for two credits of category 01 and two credits of core toward updating a pesticide applicator's license.

There is no charge for the meeting, but those interested are asked to register by contacting Deerfield Farms Service at 724-946-3551.

Deerfield Farms Service is just east of New Wilmington on Route 208.