Farmers wanting to learn more about pulse crops, including peas, chickpeas and black-eye peas, should plan to attend the Pulse Crop Expo in Grant Thursday, Jan. 18.
    The event will be held at the Henry J. Stumpf International Wheat Center just east of Grant at 76025 Rd 329.
    Extension Educator Strahinja Stepanovic said this will be a must-attend event for farmers anxious to learn more about growing and marketing  pulse crops.
    Stepanovic said the expo is designed to bring farmers together with leaders of the pulse crops industry in Nebraska, including seed vendors, processors and buyers.
    He said there will be three pedigreed seed companies (variety owners), eight certified seed dealers, and seven pulse crop processors/buyers in attendance from Nebraska and beyond.
    The day’s agenda, which begins with a welcome reception at 8:30, includes updates on federal crop insurance protection for pulse crops, review of marketing options available to producers, research and yield data on yellow peas, and a look at the emerging opportunities for black-eye peas and chickpeas.
    The agenda also includes more than two hours available for networking between the vendors and growers.
    Stepanovic has been conducting ongoing research on pea production in the region.
    He noted the production of field peas in the region has continued to increase. From 2011 to 2017, field pea acreage in Nebraska increased from 10,000 to around 60,000 acres.
    In addition, the number of certified seed dealers increased from two to eight, and Nebraska became home for three field pea processing facilities.
    These include New Alliance in Bridgeport, Gavilon in Hastings and a new facility being built at Venango’s AgriForce Seed in partnership with the  Redwood Group, which offers marketing for pulse crops.
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