Cropping seminars coming to the area

Press release

Montana State University Extension will host its annual cropping seminar series Jan. 6-10, 2025, in the Golden Triangle area. Speakers will cover topics such as noxious weeds, pulse insect management, pesticide updates, and winter barley.

Interested individuals can attend in Chester, Choteau, Conrad, Cut Bank, Fort Benton, Great Falls, Havre, Shelby or Stanford. There is no charge for the seminars, and all producers are encouraged to attend. The Choteau, Conrad, Cut Bank, Shelby, Chester, Havre, Fort Benton, and Stanford seminars will begin at 8:30 a.m. with registration. The Great Falls seminar will begin at 9:30 a.m. with registration Jan. 10. Both commercial and private pesticide licensing recertification credits will be available.

Montana’s croplands face growing threats from invasive species like rush skeletonweed and ventenata, which could significantly impact grain production if widely established. Dr. Jane Mangold will cover identification, biology, distribution, and Integrated Weed Management strategies for these priority species. Attendees will also receive updates on palmer amaranth in Montana and an overview of the Noxious Weed Seed Free Forage program.

Dr. Tiziana Oppedisano, Assistant Professor of Entomology and Insect Ecology at the MSU - Western Triangle Ag Research Center, will discuss strategies for managing pulse crop pests such as pea leaf weevil, army and pale western cutworms, and lygus bugs using Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Tom Allen will highlight the Northern Pulse Growers Association’s role in supporting producers and how checkoff funds are utilized to enhance pulse crop production.

Dr. Cecil Tharp, MSU Extension Pesticide Education Specialist, will explore common reasons for ineffective pesticide applications and provide updates on new pesticide regulations, including certification and training requirements, paraquat training, and potential changes to the EPA’s endangered species plan.

Dr. Joseph Jensen, Assistant Professor and Cropping Systems Agronomist at the MSU-Northwestern Ag Research Center, will share updates on MSU’s winter barley breeding program and plans for the release of the first winter barley line. He will also discuss current research on agronomic performance and pest management in the Golden Triangle, followed by a Q&A session to address growers’ concerns and future research needs.

Dates, locations and contact numbers for local cropping seminars are listed below:

Monday, January 6 — Stanford at Stanford City Hall, 102 Central Ave. RSVP to 406-566-2277 (option 3) or [email protected] Fort Benton at the Ag Center, 1205 20th Street. RSVP to Tyler Lane at 406-622-3751 or [email protected]

Tuesday, January 7 — Chester at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall, 10 E. Madison Ave. RSVP to Jesse Fulbright at 406-759-5625 or [email protected] Havre at the 4-H Chuckwagon 1676 US HWY 2 W at the Great Northern Fairgrounds. RSVP to Colleen Pegar at 406-400-2333 or [email protected]

Wednesday, January 8 — Cut Bank at the Glacier County Library basement, 21 First Ave. SE. RSVP to Kari Lewis at 406-873-2239 or [email protected]. Shelby at the Comfort Inn, 455 McKinley Ave. RSVP to Kim Woodring at 406-424-8350 or [email protected]

Thursday, January 9 — Conrad at the Conrad Moose Lodge, 617 S. Main Street. RSVP to Pondera County at 406-271-4054 or [email protected]. Choteau at the Stage Stop Inn, 1005 Main Avenue North. RSVP to Jenn Swanson at 406-868-4570 or [email protected]

Friday, January 10 — Great Falls at the Great Falls College MSU in room B101, 2100 16th Avenue S. RSVP to Rose Malisani at 406-454-6980 or [email protected]