NEWS

Pulse 101 workshop in Fort Benton and Conrad

David Murray
dmurray@greatfallstribune.com

MSU Extension will host a Pulse Production workshop on Wednesday, Feb. 15, in both Conrad and Fort Benton.

With low commodity prices in cereal grains, there is growing interest among Montana farmers in raising pulse crops (peas, beans and lentils). However, many production and marketing challenges exist. The workshop will cover production, marketing, insurance, disease management and common mistakes with chemicals and inoculates, and will conclude with a producer panel.

Both locations will begin with registration at 8:30 a.m. and will conclude by 4 p.m. The Conrad workshop will be held at the Pondera Shooting Sports Complex, 972 Granite Road. The Fort Benton workshop will be held at the Ag Center, 1205 20th St.

RSVP by Friday, Feb. 10, to ensure an accurate headcount for lunch.

Presenters will include Dr. Perry Miller, Land Resources and Environmental Sciences professor at Montana State University. Miller’s presentation will cover necessary field preparations and seeding recommendations, growing season management, and equipment and techniques necessary for safely handling pulse crops during harvest. He will also provide recommendations for crop rotations when using pulses.

Jeff Winkler, Mountain View Cooperative pulse specialist, will explain common mistakes that he’s seen regarding inoculant and chemical use, and share tips on how to prevent those mistakes in the field.

Chrissy Cook will bring her expertise in markets and contracts to the pulse workshop. She will also talk about different pulses and varieties, and their current demand in the marketplace. Cook works for Hodgkiss Seed in Choteau. Hodgskiss Seed is a family-owned and operated seed business established in 1968. They are growers, processors, and retailers of foundation, registered, and certified seed.

The insurance portions will be covered by Kevin Swanson of Leavitt Insurance in Conrad, and by Shawn Fladager from Northwest Farm Credit Services Insurance of Great Falls at the Fort Benton workshop.

Dr. Jessica Rupp, MSU Extension Plant Pathologist, will cover diseases identification and management of pulse crops. North Dakota and Canadian farmers are already facing numerous disease challenges in their pulse crops, and Dr. Rupp will provide education for best management practices to prevent these diseases from making it to the Golden Triangle.

Both locations will conclude with a producer panel of local pulse crop producers sharing their experiences and tips and tricks they’ve learned through growing pulse crops with the day wrapping up by 4 p.m.

Pesticide points have been applied for and lunch will be available on site for $8. For any questions regarding the event or to RSVP, contact Tyler Lane (MSU Extension – Chouteau County, 622-3000, tyler.lane@montana.edu) or Shaelyn Meyer (MSU Extension – Pondera County, 271-4054, shaelyn.meyer@montana.edu).