North Dakota State University (NDSU) has set the 2023 Best of the Best in Wheat Production meeting for Feb. 15 at the Grand Hotel in Minot, North Dakota.

The program starts at 9 a.m. Central Time with an agenda that covers small grain diseases, fertility, variety selection, weed management and a market outlook. The program will conclude around 3 p.m.

Small-group, hands-on breakout sessions will feature bacterial leaf streak, weed identification, Palmer amaranth and a demonstration from the NDSU Wheat Quality Lab.

Dave Franzen, NDSU Extension soil specialist, will discuss fertility recommendations and new research using optical sensors for determining the need for post-anthesis nitrogen in wheat.

“With the high cost of fertilizer and the uncertainty of discounts or premiums available for spring wheat, farmers will benefit from knowing that they can use sensors to determine the need for late-season nitrogen application at flag-leaf to increase grain protein,” says Franzen.

Ryan Buetow, Extension cropping systems specialist at the Dickinson Research Extension Center, will discuss his work on low pH (acidic) soils and strategies to deal with them in no-till production systems.

“We’ve seen many fields testing with low pH in the last few years in western North Dakota, and we want producers to be on the lookout for any signs of acidifying soils,” says Buetow.

Brian Jenks, weed scientist at the North Central Research Extension Center in Minot will present weed control recommendations and focus on tough-to-control weeds such as kochia.

“We’re seeing that kochia is getting harder to control,” says Jenks. “Some of the products we were able to count on just aren’t as effective as they used to be, so I’m encouraging growers to use multiple strategies when controlling kochia.”

Certified Crop Advisor Continuing Education Units (CEUs) will be offered. Participants can earn up to 3.5 CEUs in the following categories: 1.0 Nutrient Management, 1.0 Pest Management, 1.0 Crop Management and 0.5 Professional Development.

The Best of the Best meeting is free to attend but registration is requested to help with meal planning. To register, go to www.ndwheat.com, email at ndwheat@ndwheat.com or call 701-328-5111.

This event is sponsored by the North Dakota Wheat Commission and North Dakota Grain Growers Association.

NDSU Agriculture Communication – Feb. 2, 2023

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

Editor: Kelli Anderson, 701-231-6136, kelli.c.anderson@ndsu.edu