Montana State University Extension and North Dakota State University are collaborating to present MonDak Pulse Day on Feb. 15 at the Elks Club, Wolf Point. More than 12 years ago, Extension personnel in both Montana and North Dakota saw a need to address agronomic questions related to the rising amount of pulse production (peas, chickpeas and lentils) being done in Western North Dakota and Eastern Montana. Today this area, known as the MonDak area, produces 88% of the peas, 86% of lentils and 18% of chickpeas grown in the United States. The annual MonDak Pulse Day is the result of that shared effort. The workshop strives to bring together producers, researchers and industry in an atmosphere of collaboration and commonality. Montana is proud to be hosting the 12th occurrence of this highly successful program. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. (MST) at the Elks Club, Wolf Point. Lunch, sponsored by Northern Pulse Growers and educational materials are included in the $20 fee. Three private applicator credits and five commercial/governmental credits in the Dealer, Demonstration and Research, Ag Plant Pest, Right of Way, Regulatory Weed and Aerial categories, are being offered for attending the program.
The meeting begins with the top three challenges in pulse production. Brian Jenks, NDSU North Central Research Extension Center (NCREC) weed scientist, will start off the program with a discussion of pulse production’s number one challenge- weed management; followed by the number two challenge - disease issues and management presented by Michael Wunsch, NDSU plant pathologist, at the Carrington Research Center. Pulse productions third challenge; pest problems will be presented by Dr. Daniel Waldstein, NDSU Area Extension crop protection specialist.
Learn how pulse production improves wheat yields, soil health and a producer’s bottom line in the afternoon. Dr. Perry Miller, MSU Land Resources and Environmental Sciences professor, will discuss the long term value of pulses in rotation with wheat. Soil biology and the importance of soil quality will be presented by Dr. Catherine Zabinski, MSU Land Resources and Environmental Sciences associate professor. Dr. Brian Jenks steps up to the podium again and offers a discussion of desiccation research and restrictions.Shannon Berndt, executive director, or Kaye Effertz, Northern Pulse Growers Association marketing director, will provide an industry update and Leta Campbell will be speaking live from India via Skype where she will be attending the India Pulse Conclave. She will talk about Pulse Check-Off dollars and how they help to breathe life into the pulse industry— from farm to table.
Please join us for this valuable day of learning, connecting and networking. For more information please contact Ann Ronning, MSU Roosevelt County Extension ag agent: [email protected] 406-787-5312; Keith Brown, NDSU Extension agent in Divide County: [email protected] 701-965-6501; or Shelley Mills, MSU Valley County ag agent: [email protected] 406-228-6241.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Montana State University and the Montana State University Extension Service prohibit discrimination in all of their programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital and family status. Issued in furtherance of cooperative extension work in agriculture and home economics, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Douglas L. Steele, Vice Provost and Director, Extension Service, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717.
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