The 2015 Nebraska Dry Edible Bean Day will feature advice for producers, research updates, news about health benefits, and reports from the state commission and U.S. Dry Bean Council.

It will be held Tuesday, Jan.13, at the Gering Civic Center, and is sponsored by the Nebraska Dry Bean Growers Association (NDBGA). Registration is free and begins at 8:30 a.m. and the program starts at 9 a.m. In addition to the NDBGA annual meeting and lunch, speakers will include:

• Duane Maatz, director of the U.S. Dry Bean Council. Maatz has an extensive agricultural background and was appointed executive director of the Council in October.
• Henry Thompson of the Cancer Research Lab at Colorado State University will be back by popular demand. His presentation is titled "What is the future in health and wellness?"
• Representatives from Pickett Equipment, Horizon West, and 21st Century Equipment will present a combine forum.
• Specialists and educators from the University of Nebraska Panhandle Research and Extension Center will provide updates on dry bean variety breeding; application of iron; new UNL mobile water apps; direct harvest; new chemical copper-alternative products for bacterial disease management; and harvest quality and insect resistance.
• Cindy Allen from the Nebraska Dry Bean Commission and Dave Wolf of the North Platte Natural Resources District also will be speaking.

David Ostdiek
Communications Specialist, Panhandle REC