The North Dakota Grain Growers Association announced on July 21 that it will join the North Dakota Wheat Commission to host the 2020 Virtual Hard Red Spring Wheat Pre-Harvest Update on July 28 at 9:00 a.m. Central Standard Time.
This event is intended to provide domestic and international customers with up-to-date information about the spring wheat crop as harvest approaches. With many in-person meetings, including the Wheat Quality Council’s Annual Spring Wheat Tour, cancelled this year, industry participants are seeking alternative ways to assess crop potential.
According to organizers, “the two grower groups, along with surrounding state wheat commissions and producers will provide an update on the crop conditions, production and quality outlook and other important issues that have affected the 2020 crop.” Extension experts are expected to share agronomic and disease updates. Producers will contribute in-field video footage and first-hand discussions of crop conditions across the spring wheat region. The meeting will be held virtually via Zoom. Registration details and a full agenda can be found at https://ndwheat.com/events/2020VirtualHardRedSpringWheatPreHarvestUpdate/.
The agenda includes updates from several organizations: Dave Green of the Wheat Quality Council; Joel Ransom from NDSU Extension; Andrew Green, NDSU Spring Wheat Breeder; representatives from Montana (MT) Wheat & Barley Committee; Reid Christopherson of South Dakota (SD) Wheat Commission; Charlie Vogel of Minnesota (MN) Wheat Research and Promotion Council; Jim Anderson from University of MN Spring Wheat Breeder program; Jochum Wiersma from University of MN Extension; as well as Andrew Friskop from NDSU Extension who will discuss disease outlooks for this season.
The North Dakota Grain Growers Association obtains funding through membership dues from farmers and agricultural leaders, promotes economic vitality for farmers through advocacy, education, market development efforts, aims to boost profitability for North Dakota farmers through leadership initiatives, operates statewide while engaging at federal levels, influences policy supporting wheat and barley producers, and collaborates with other agricultural organizations such as the Midwest Council on Agriculture according to the official website.
Organizers said they hope this virtual event provides timely information despite travel restrictions. A wrap-up session with questions-and-answers is scheduled at the end.
