WSU oilseed production and marketing conference

Mark your calendars now to attend the 2013 WSU Oilseed Production and Marketing Conference “Golden Opportunities” scheduled for January 22-23, 2013 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 of 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.

Whether you are a first-time or experienced oilseed producer, crop input supplier, crop consultant, oil and meal end user, researcher, supporting agency personnel, or simply have an interest in oilseed production, processing and marketing, you are encouraged to attend the conference. Plenary sessions will cover general agronomic topics, while breakout sessions will be divided into region-specific cropping systems to discuss topics in more detail.

Preregistration is $75 for one or both days and is available until January 14, 2013. Late and on-site registration will be $95 and meals cannot be guaranteed.

The Hilton Garden Inn has a block of rooms available at a special conference rate until January 4, 2013. Sponsor opportunities are available. Contact Karen or Dennis by phone or email.

CCA and Pesticide CEU credits have been applied for.

For questions, contact Karen Sowers at 509-396-5936 or ksowers@wsu.edu or Dennis Roe 509-335-3491 or rdroe@wsu.edu.