MSU Extension cropping seminars set for January 2023 in the Golden Triangle

From the MSU News Service

BOZEMAN — Montana State University Extension will host its annual cropping seminar series Jan. 9-13, 2023, in the Golden Triangle area of north-central Montana. Speakers will cover topics such as cereal grain varieties, pulse management, soil fertility management and estate planning. 

Interested people can attend seminars in Chester, Choteau, Conrad, Cut Bank, Fort Benton, Great Falls, Havre, Shelby and Stanford.

There is no charge for the seminars, and all agricultural producers are encouraged to attend. Seminars begin at 8:30 a.m., though the Great Falls seminar, only, will begin at 9:30 a.m.

Both commercial and private pesticide licensing recertification credits will be available.

At the seminars, an update on cereal grain varieties will be presented by Jed Eberly, assistant professor of agronomy and soil microbiology from the MSU Central Agricultural Research Center; Peggy Lamb, a research scientist coordinating the variety testing program at MSU’s Northern Agricultural Research Center; and Wyatt Medina, a research associate coordinating on- and off-station variety trials under the supervision of Justin Vetch at the Western Triangle Agriculture Research Center. Presentations will address local test plot results and integrated pest management of wheat stem sawfly. Current collaborative research activities include variety development and testing of small grains and many other crops.

In addition, Kevin McPhee, professor of plant genetics and breeding at MSU, will present an update on pulse crop breeding for Montana. McPhee’s research goals include the development of high-yielding pulse crop — pea, lentil and chickpea — varieties using conventional breeding approaches. New varieties are targeted with good agronomic characteristics, resistance to disease and adaptability to environmental stresses present in Montana and regionally, McPhee said.

Soil fertility management will be presented by Clain Jones, MSU Extension soil fertility specialist, and Manbir Rakkar, assistant research professor at MSU. A variety of topics will be addressed, including the 4Rs — right source, right rate, right time and right place — acidity and volatilization of foliar applications. Rakkar’s research program is focused on resolving soil acidification issues. She is investigating various techniques to prevent, mitigate and adapt to soil acidification in Montana.

Estate planning will be presented by Marsha A. Goetting, professor and Extension family economics specialist. Goetting has authored more than 50 MontGuides and offers numerous educational programs that provide information on financial and estate planning. She has received state, regional and national awards for her programs.

Dates, locations and contact numbers for each cropping seminar are:

Monday, Jan. 9

• Great Falls: Great Falls College MSU’s Heritage Hall, 2100 16th Ave. S. Contact Rose Malisani at 406-454-6980.

Tuesday, Jan. 10

• Choteau: Stage Stop Inn, 1005 Main Ave. Contact Jenn Swanson at 406-466-2491.

• Conrad: Pondera Shooting Sports Complex, 972 Granite Road. Contact Dan Severson at 406-271-4054.

Wednesday, Jan. 11

• Cut Bank: Glacier County Library, 21 First Ave. SE. Contact Kari Lewis at 406-873-2239.

• Shelby: Comfort Inn, 455 McKinley Ave. Contact Kim Woodring at 406-424-8350.

Thursday, Jan. 12:

• Chester: United Methodist Church, 510 Monroe Ave. Contact Jesse Fulbright at 406-759-5625.

• Havre: Hill County Fairgrounds 4-H Chuckwagon, 1676 U.S. Highway 2 W. Contact Colleen Pegar at 406-400-2333.

Friday, Jan. 13

• Fort Benton: Montana Agricultural Center, 1205 20th St. Contact Tyler Lane at 406-622-3751.

• Stanford: City Hall, 102 Central Ave. Contact Katie Hatlelid at 406-566-2277.