University of Minnesota Extension is offering five Small Grain Winter Workshops in central, western and southern Minnesota this month and in February to highlight small grain production.

Extension specialists point out that adding a small grain crop to the rotation in central and southern Minnesota could help manage challenges with herbicide resistance and pests such as soybean cyst nematodes, soybean aphids and corn rootworm.

Extension hosts small grain winter workshops

The small grain program will help farmers determine if small grains can work on their farms and rotations. Information provided also will provide the tools needed to make small grain a successful crop. This includes information on production agronomics, variety selection, disease identification and fungicide use, fertility, quality, equipment and economics.

Time will be set aside for open forum to discuss related topics and on farm experiences.

Dates, locations, times and contacts are as follows:

• January 18 – Morris, WCROC Ag Country Auditorium, 11:30 - 4:00
(Contact Doug at 218-770-4396)

•February 16 – Le Center, Ambulance Svc / Le Sueur Co. EOC, 10:30 - 4:00
(Contact Diane at 507-357-8230)

•February 17 – Cold Spring, Great Blue Heron, 10:30 – 2:30
(Contact Joe at 320-980-2915)

•February 18 - Slayton, Pizza Ranch, 1:00 - 4:00
Part of Winter Crops Day beginning at 9:00
(Contact: Liz Stahl at 507-372-3900)

•February 19 - Benson, McKinney's, 10:00 – 2:30
(Contact: Scott at 320-760-6129).

Presenters will vary by location including:
•Jochum Wiersma, University of Minnesota Extension Small Grain Specialist,
•Jim Anderson, University of Minnesota Spring Wheat Breeder,
•Madeleine Smith, University of Minnesota Small Grains Pathologist,
•Doug Holen, University of Minnesota Extension Crops Educator and
•Phillip Glogoza, University of Minnesota Extension Crops Educator.

No registration is needed and lunch included at all sites (fee in Slayton).

For more information or brochure contact Doug Holen at 218-770-4396 or [email protected]