PULLMAN, Wash. — More than 800 people are expected to attend the Sixth Northwest Direct Seed Cropping Systems Conference, Jan. 8-10, at the WestCoast Hotel in Pasco.
The conference and a new commercial Direct Seed Trade Show will present the latest technologies and experiences with direct seed cropping systems in the Northwest, according to Roger Veseth, extension conservation tillage specialist for Washington State University and University of Idaho.
Twenty eight speakers, including six growers, from Idaho, Oregon, Washington, South Dakota and New Zealand, will be featured.
Topics will include:
- The great debate on high versus low disturbance direct seed openers
- Stacked rotation and other pest management strategies
- Transition economics
- Crop marketing strategies for direct seeders
- Residue management options
- New weed control strategies
- Managing for increased soil carbon and productivity.
Eleven drill company representatives will present new innovations in direct seed drills and openers for seed and fertilizer placement, residue management and hillside stability.
Activities and accomplishments of PNW Direct Seed Association will also be highlighted.
The Conference program will provide four state pesticide applicator recertification credits and 26 continuing education credits for certified crop advisers.
A special pre-conference feature at the WestCoast Hotel will be the Jan. 7-8 PNW STEEP 2002 Research Review of conservation tillage systems research projects underway in Idaho, Oregon and Washington. Entrance will be free to conference participants.
Check the conference Website for additional information, at http://pnwsteep.wsu.edu/directseed, or call the conference office, (509) 547-5538, ore-mail Wendy Peay at wpeay@mcmgt.com.
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