Golden Triangle barley workshop set for Feb. 15 in Conrad

MSU News Service

BOZEMAN — Montana State University Extension will co-host a free barley workshop from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 15, at the Pondera Shooting Sports Complex, located at 972 Granite Road in Conrad.

Registration begins at 8 a.m.

The workshop will begin with an update from the Montana Wheat and Barley Committee. Following the update, Kent McVay, MSU Southern Agricultural Research Center, will offer a session on rotations, weed and nutrient management. The morning’s events will conclude with a session given by Laura Demmel, National Association of Conservation Districts, called “Field to Market/Sustainability.”

A free lunch will be provided for all participants following the morning sessions. The MSU Western Triangle Agricultural Research Center will host an entomology booth during the lunch hour.

The afternoon sessions will begin with a presentation on “Management Strategies for the Good and Not So Good Times” given by Anton Bekkerman, associate professor of agricultural economics at MSU.

Next will be a presentation on barley breeding given by Jamie Sherman, associate research professor in the MSU Department of Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology.

The final presentation of the afternoon will be an overview of the industry and markets given by Collin Watters of the Montana Wheat and Barley Committee.

  Following the final presentation, representatives from the malting barley industry will hold a panel discussion. The panel will include Ryan Pfeifle from Farm Power Malt, Ron Ueland from Montana Craft Malt and representatives from AB InBev, MillerCoors and Malteurop. Snacks and refreshments will be available during this panel.

There will be one private/commercial pesticide applicator point available to all registered participants.

To reserve a spot, contact the Pondera County Extension Office at 406-271-4054 or adriane.good@montana.edu. The deadline to RSVP is Friday, Feb. 9.

MSU Extension is an ADA-EO//AA/Veteran’s Preference employer and provider of educational outreach. If participants require accommodation for a disability, please notify the local Extension office at least 48 hours in advance.

For more information, contact Kari Lewis, Glacier County Extension, at 406-873-2239 or kari.lewis@montana.edu.