KENNEWICK, Wash. – Mark your calendars now to attend the 2013 WSU Oilseed Production and Marketing Conference “Golden Opportunities” scheduled for Jan. 22-23 at the Three Rivers Convention Center in Kennewick. Plan to attend the only conference in the Pacific Northwest addressing oilseed agronomy, processing, economics, marketing and end use.
Several keynote speakers from major canola production regions of North America will highlight the two-day conference, including Gary Hergert, University of Nebraska; Bob Schrock, winter canola producer from Kiowa, Kansas; Ron Sholar, executive director of the Great Plains Canola Association; and Phil Thomas, president of Brassica Corp Ltd., of Alberta, Canada and author of the Canada Canola Growers Manual.
Experienced regional oilseed and livestock producers, WSU, OSU and UI research and Extension faculty, and regional and national industry representatives will be sharing their expertise and perspectives in plenary and region-specific breakout sessions. Topics will include oilseed crop and chemical rotation, weed control, whole-farm economics, variety selection, nutrient and water use, insects and diseases, oilseed meal in livestock rations, biodiesel distribution, quality and use, and more.
Current and future oilseed producers, livestock producers, crop input suppliers and advisors, oil and meal end users, researchers and supporting agency personnel are all invited to attend.
Numerous growers, in a variety of rainfall zones and employing a variety of cropping systems, have attested to the positive impact of growing oilseed crops. “From the perspective of soil health, there is no doubt that an oilseed crop does something to the ground that’s good,” said Lee Druffel of Colton. “Canola has improved my crop diversity, it’s a deficit irrigation crop, and it also has helped break disease cycles,” added Jeff Schibel of Odessa. Curtis Hennings, Ritzville concurred, saying, “I definitely consider growing canola a successful venture when four out of five years I’ve made more money off canola than winter wheat.”
The workshops are being sponsored and supported by Washington State University, USDA-ARS, Washington State Department of Agriculture, Washington Canola and Rapeseed Commission, U.S. Canola Association, conservation districts and local agribusinesses.
Sponsor opportunities and exhibit space are available by contacting Karen Sowers at 509-396-5936 or ksowers@wsu.edu, or Dennis Roe at 509-335-3491 or rdroe@wsu.edu.
Registration and agendas will be posted by Nov. 30 at http://css.wsu.edu/biofuels/conference.