Annual MonDak Pulse Day To Be Held In Glasgow

Montana State University Extension and North Dakota State University Extension personnel have been collaborating for 20 years to bring an annual quality pulse production extension program to the producers of the MonDak region.

The event alternates between being held in North Dakota and Montana. This year, MonDak Pulse Day will be held Feb. 19 at the Elks Club (309 2nd Ave S) in Glasgow.

As pulse acreage and production increases in the MonDak region, the need for unbiased, research based, quality information also increases. In the past five years attendance at the MonDak Pulse day has averaged 100 participants, which correlates to the quality of the program and the increase in pulse acres across the region.

The program will start at 8:30 a.m. with registration and the start of the trade show. The registration fee can be paid at the door. Throughout the day, there will be breaks in the program to attend the trade show and lunch has been sponsored by Northern Pulse Growers Association.

Presentations will start at 9 a.m. as Bryan Neville, an animal scientist at the NDSU Carrington Research Center, will discuss using pulse crops as forages for livestock. Neville’s research focuses on utilizing alternative feeds and co-products.

Following Dr. Neville’s talk will be Dr. Ken Hellevang, Extension Engineer of Agriculture and Biosystems Engineering at NDSU. Dr. Hellevang has over 40 years of experience in the mechanics of storing and handling grain and he will lead a discussion on grain storage and handling.

Keynote speaker Shawn Fladager will round out the presentations before lunch. Fladager serves as the branch manager for Northwest Farm Credit Services and has ties to the Peerless area. He will give an overview of crop insurance and how it can work for you.

Brian Gion, NPGA marketing director, will provide a pulse update to the group and Dr. Gautam Pradham, NDSU Williston Research Extension Center agronomist, will discuss soybean production in the MonDak region. Dr. Pradham has led the dryland research program since 2014 and had been focusing on crop varieties and breeding lines that adapt well to the semiarid no-till condition of the MonDak Region.

Finishing up the program will be an informative presentation on Palmer amaranth by MSU Extension agents Tim Fine (Richland County) and Shelley Mills (Valley County). Found in North Dakota in 2018, Palmer amaranth is a highly competitive plant and should be on everyone’s watch list.

Pesticide applicator credits and CCA continuing education units will be available.

For further information on the MonDak Pulse Day, contact your local MSU Extension office (Daniels County 487-2861, Fort Peck Reservation Agent 768-3431, Richland County 406--433-1206, Roosevelt County 787-5312, Sheridan County 765-3406 or Valley County 228-6241) or the Williston Research Extension Center (701-774-7315).