Registration under way for hands-on oilseed workshops

canola-picCanola plants are growing in the greenhouse, speakers are planning their presentations, and registration is underway for the only workshops in the Pacific Northwest featuring all things oilseeds.

The WSU Oilseed Cropping Systems Project hosts three workshops, January 26 in Hartline, January 31 in Ritzville, and February 2 in Clarkston.

A new addition this year will be hands-on, interactive sessions featuring canola plants exhibiting nutrient deficiencies, different varieties of canola grown in soil containing varying levels of residual herbicides, and plants with drift herbicide injury. The format is also new, with participants divided into groups and taking part in eight 40-minute sessions. Presenters will include Pacific Northwest university research and Extension faculty, new and seasoned oilseed producers, and local agriculture industry reps.

Attendees can count on learning about optimizing oilseed production through managing crop and chemical rotation, drill calibration, variety selection, enterprise budgets, pest and disease identification, combine settings, yield results from PNW variety trials, fertilizer management, and much more.

Jeff Scott, Oklahoma canola producer and current U.S. Canola Association president, and Ron Sholar, executive director of the Great Plains Canola Association, along with Washington, Oregon, and Idaho producers will talk about forming a Pacific Northwest Canola Growers Association.

Registration is $20 and includes lunch and all refreshments. Each workshop will end with an industry sponsored social. Pesticide and CCA credits are available. Registration is available at www.css.wsu.edu./biofuels. Questions can be directed to Karen Sowers at ksowers@wsu.edu, 808-283-7013.