North Dakota State University Extension, the North Dakota Wheat Commission and the North Dakota Soybean Council will hold the annual Best of the Best in Wheat and Soybean Research Program on Jan. 28 at the Grand Hotel in Minot, North Dakota. This meeting provides wheat and soybean growers, agronomists and other agriculture professionals with timely updates on variety performance, pest management and market conditions.

“The Best of the Best program has provided wheat growers in western North Dakota with locally relevant and current, research-backed recommendations for over 15 years,” says Clair Keene, NDSU Extension small grains agronomist. “This year, we are excited to again partner with the Soybean Council to expand the scope of the meeting and cover the two largest crops by acreage in the state.”

The program will start at 8:30 a.m. CST with a welcome from Paige Brummund, NDSU Extension agriculture and natural resources agent in Ward County. NDSU speakers will discuss the following topics:

• Andrew Friskop, NDSU Extension cereal pathologist, will provide a look ahead at small grain diseases to be aware of in 2026.
• Brian Jenks, weed scientist at the North Central Research Extension Center, will discuss weed control successes and failures in 2025 and developing a proactive weed management plan for the 2026 season.
• Clair Keene will discuss variety selection for spring wheat, durum and oats, and she will make recommendations for western North Dakota based on NDSU variety trial data.
• Ana Carcedo, NDSU Extension broadleaf crop agronomist, will present results from recent soybean seeding rate trials.
• Victor Gomes, NDSU Extension agronomist at the Dickinson Research Extension Center, will highlight his work investigating soybean inoculation practices for western North Dakota.
• Bryon Parman, agricultural finance specialist in NDSU's Department of Agribusiness and Applied Economics, will discuss current conditions for obtaining operating loans and interest rates.
• Naeem Kalwar, NDSU Extension soil health specialist at the Langdon Research Extension Center, will discuss practical tips for identifying and managing saline and sodic soils.

The 2026 breakout sessions include weed identification, managing white mold in soybean and dry bean, and distinguishing between common abiotic and biotic stress in wheat.

Allison Thompson, a market analyst with The Money Farm based in Ada, Minnesota, will be the final speaker of the day. Thompson previously worked as a farm business management instructor at Lake Region State College and found her passion in understanding and communicating about grain markets in an applied and helpful way for farmers. She is actively involved in her family’s farm, producing corn, soybean, wheat and barley.

The Ward County Crop Improvement Association and commodity board elections will be held after the program concludes at 3 p.m.

The Best of the Best event is free to attend, but registration is requested by Jan. 25 to help the organizers plan for lunch. Registration, as well as a full event agenda, is available at ndsu.ag/BoB-program-26.

Certified crop advisers can earn continuing education units (CEUs) by attending the event.

NDSU Agriculture Communication – Jan. 15, 2026

Source: Clair Keene, 701-231-7405, clair.keene@ndsu.edu

Editor: Dominic Erickson, 701-231-5546, dominic.erickson@ndsu.edu