Agricultural News
Canola College Comes to Enid This Thursday
Tue, 17 Feb 2015 16:50:57 CST
Agricultural producers interested in learning how to maximize their canola production should register now to attend Canola College this Thursday in Enid. Canola College is a joint effort of Great Plains Canola Association, Oklahoma State University's Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Kansas State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Risk Management Agency and cooperating partners in the canola industry.
"It's a great opportunity to learn from and speak with leading experts in the field, and interact with more than 300 new or veteran canola producers and industry members," said Ron Sholar, Great Plains Canola Association executive director. "This will be the premier canola education and training event in the region for 2015."
Registration will begin Thursday at 8 a.m. with the program kicking off at 9 a.m. and finishing at 3:30 p.m. The conference will take place at the Chisholm Trail EXPO Center, located at 111 W. Purdue St. on the north side of Enid. OSU Cooperative Extension canola specialist Josh Bushong said this is the third year of the event and they have had a lot of success with the Canola College program.
"There's a lot to learn, whether you are a new grower or experienced grower, we have a wide variety of topics," Bushong said.
Canola college will cover everything from the basics of growing canola, to varieties, fertility, making a crop budget, the economics of the crop and how to get that next ten bushels. Bushong said pest management experts from OSU will be at the Canola College to discuss weed, insect and disease identification and control.
"There will be four concurrent breakout sessions and participants will have the opportunity to hear from every expert taking part in a particular session," Bushong said.
Radio Oklahoma Network Farm Director Ron Hays interviewed Josh Bushong about Canola College. Click on the LISTENBAR below to listen to the full interview.
Canola College is designed for canola producers as well as wheat producers that might consider growing the crop. After several tough years, the canola industry has learned some important lessons in having some failed crops. Bushong said we have learned what to do and what not to do and how to make sure producers are more successful in growing canola.
"Canola College provides value, whether you're a grower, crop insurance agent, member of an agricultural government agency or a canola service or product provider," Sholar said. "A key benefit of attending is the opportunity to visit with industry partners who provide the equipment, products and services needed to produce the crop."
Canola acreage for the region has increased dramatically since 2010. There are approximately 300,000 acres planted in the southern Great Plains states this year
Lunch and refreshments are being provided free-of-charge to participants, thanks to the generous sponsorship of canola industry members. Although there is no cost to attend., pre-registration is encouraged. That's available online by clicking here.
"Although participants can register at the door, we ask everyone to pre-register as soon as possible because it greatly aids our planning and helps ensure that sufficient numbers of conference materials, refreshments and meals are on hand," Bushong said.
Anyone seeking additional information about the Feb. 19 Canola College should contact Bushong by email at josh.bushong@okstate.edu or by phone at 405-744-9600, or Sholar by email at jrsholar@aol.com or by phone at 405-780-0113.
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI
Top Agricultural News
More Headlines...