FarmWeek, IL
12-15-06
Leaders to Discuss Reviving University, Industry Partnerships
Kay Shipman
The final session of the University of Illinois' 2007 Crop Protection Technology
Conference Jan. 3-4 will address public-private partnerships.
An expert panel will discuss U of I and agribusiness partnerships, starting with a
presentation by Iowa State University’s ag dean on the relevance and
effectiveness of Extension corn and soybean pest management programs. Bob
Hoeft, head of the U of I crop sciences department, and Jean Payne, president of
the Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association, will react to Iowa State Dean
Wendy Wintersteen’s comments and give their own perspectives.
“There are fewer (ag) industry and university people who have the expertise to
deal with (agricultural) problems. If we don’t work together, it won’t be good,”
Hoeft said.
Wintersteen will describe a new Iowa program that links the university with
industry. Participating agribusiness partners receive information that they, in turn,
share with their customers, he said.