MonDak Pulse Day Feb. 21 in Williston Will Highlight Legume Production

The first ever MonDak Pulse Day will be held Feb. 21 at the North Dakota State University Williston Research Extension Center.

The day begins with registration at 9:30 a.m. CST (8:30 am MST). Researchers and extension specialists from Montana State University and North Dakota State University along with representatives from grower groups and private industry will discuss aspects of raising chickpeas, dry peas, and lentils in the Montana-Dakota region.

The event is open to the public and was organized by the MSU and NDSU Extension service agents in northeastern Montana and northwestern North Dakota. The program will take place in the Ernie French Center at the NDSU Williston Research Extension Center, which is located 5 miles west of Williston on U.S. Highway 2. For more information, contact the center at (701) 774-4315 or any of the local county extension offices in northeastern Montana or northwestern North Dakota.

Perry Miller, assistant professor of cropping systems, land resources and environmental sciences at MSU, will open the day with a discussion of profitable crop rotations with legumes. Miller is known for his crop rotation work involving pulse crops at the Semiarid Prairie Research Centre at Swift Current, Sask., before coming to MSU.

Kent McKay, NDSU Extension Service area agronomist will outline a systems approach to handling a common disease problem, Ascochyta. Jack Reisselman, MSU extension plant pathologist will review other diseases and seed treatments.

During noon lunch, representatives from the North Dakota Dry Pea and Lentil Association, the North Dakota Dry Pea & Lentil Council, and the Montana Pulse Growers will give updates on their activities. A $5 charge at the door will cover noon lunch and coffee during breaks.

Miller will open the afternoon session with a discussion of fertility and inoculant management. Brian Jenks, NDSU weed scientist at the North Central Research Extension Center in Minot, will review weed control strategies in pulse crops. MSU agronomist Dennis Cash will talk about annual legumes for forages and grazing. Jim Staricka, soil scientist at the Williston Research Extension Center, will discuss the center’s annual legume study. Jerome Knudson of Superior Grains in Crosby will outline how managing pulse crops for quality can influence income.

The afternoon will wrap up with a grower panel discussion. Panel members will include speakers and several local growers who have experience growing pulse crops. After each of the growers on the panel gives a short talk on their operation, questions will be taken from the audience.

The program will also include a trade show that will give producers opportunities to visit with industry representatives. There will also be three pesticide recertification credits available for Montana private applicators and application is being made for continuing education credits for Certified Crop Advisers.

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Source: James A. Staricka, (701) 774-4315, jstarick@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Editor: Tom Jirik, (701) 231-9629, tjirik@ndsuext.nodak.edu