As corn, soybean, and wheat prices decrease, some growers are looking to pulse crops as an alternative crop to be integrated into current cropping systems. To learn about getting started with pulse crops or how to enhance your existing pulse production, don’t miss the 2019 Nebraska Pulse Crops Expo January 7 in Kearney. 

The program is free and will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Holiday Inn, 110 S. 2nd Avenue.

“Pulse crops such as yellow or green field peas, lentils, and chickpeas fit well with cropping systems throughout the state,” said program coordinator and Extension Educator Strahinja Stepanovic. “With a rapidly growing industry and increased knowledge and resources, it is becoming easier to grow them as well as to find seed, crop insurance, and a market for them.”

Last year’s Pulse Crops Expo at Grant was attended by 165 people from seven states (Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado, Wisconsin, Missouri, Idaho, and Utah).  Of the participants surveyed, 93% indicated that information and contacts acquired at the meeting would help them farm more profitably in the next year, Stepanovic said.

Lucas Haag, northwest area agronomist with Kansas State University, will be the keynote speaker, presenting on field pea growth and development and management of field peas at critical growth stages.

Other presentations, focused on dryland production in western Nebraska (S) or irrigated production in central and eastern Nebraska (C-E), will include:

• Field Pea as Fallow Replacement (W)
• Response of Field Pea to Planting Date and Seeding Rates (W)
• Are High-Performing Pea Cultivars Different Across Regions in Nebraska? (W)
• Tillage Effects on Pulse Crop Germination and Yield (W)
• How to Grow Chickpeas – Challenges and Opportunities (W)
• Double Cropping Pulses with Cover Crops, Forages and Short-Season Crops (C-E)
• Cover Crop Grazing after Field Peas (C-E)
• Irrigated Field Peas and Chickpea Production (C-E)
• Marketing Panel with representatives of the pulse grain processing industry (W, C-E)
• Promoting the Pulse Crops Industry in Nebraska – Should Nebraska have a Pulse Crops Checkoff? (W, C-E)

There also will be updates from certified seed dealers, market reports, crop insurance updates, and more. 

The 2019 NE Pulse Crops Expo is sponsored by the SARE (Sustainable Agriculture and Research Education), the Nebraska Environmental Trust, and pulse crops industry partners. (See program flyer for full list of sponsors.)               

Registration

 The event and lunch are free, but preregistration is required by January 2. To register:

• Use the online form at https://cropwatch.unl.edu/nebraska-pulse-crops-expo-registration
• Call or send a text to  402-318-1124  
• Email Strahinja Stepanovic sstepanovic2@unl.edu

Rooms are available at the Holiday Inn for a special event rate of $99.95 per night. Call 308-237-5971 and ask for the Pulse Crops Meeting rate.