Vernon, Texas, USA
June 30, 2015

Two days of canola conferences in neighboring states, Oklahoma and Texas, will provide producers an in-depth look at the crop that is generating a growing interest.

A canola field in full bloom near College Station. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Dr. Clark Neely.)

Canola has grown in popularity among Rolling Plains producers in the past decade, which stems from the growing acreage in Oklahoma, said Dr. Clark Neely, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service state small grains and oilseed specialist from College Station.

AgriLife Extension is joining forces with Oklahoma State University, Kansas State Research and Extension, Okanola, the Oklahoma Oilseed Commission and the Great Plains Canola Association to sponsor the annual summer canola conferences.

“This will be the first time we have brought one of these conferences to Vernon,” said Dr. Emi Kimura, AgriLife Extension agronomist in Vernon.

Winter canola pods growing on the Texas A&M AgriLife Research station near Chillicothe. (Texas A&M Agriculture Communications photo by Kay Ledbetter)

The first conference will be July 14 at the Enid Convention Center, 301 South Independence Ave. in Enid, Oklahoma. Most speakers will then travel to Vernon on July 15 where a second conference will be held at the Wilbarger County Events Center, 301 Wilbarger St.

There will be no charge for either conference, and registration will begin at 8 a.m. at both locations

The program will begin at 8:50 a.m., with the following lineup of topics and speakers:

– What and What Not to Do –  Dr. Josh Bushong, Oklahoma State University canola specialist, and Heath Sanders, Great Plains Canola Association field specialist, both from Stillwater, Oklahoma.

– Variety and Hybrid Performance – Dr. Mike Stamm, Kansas State University canola breeder from Manhattan, Kansas, at Enid; Neely will speak at Vernon.

– No-till Stand Establishment and Winter Survival – Bill Jones, Oklahoma State University graduate student.

– Soil Fertility and Nutrient Uptake – Dr. Brian Arnall, Oklahoma State University nutrient management specialist, and Dr. Ignacio Ciampitti, Kansas State University cropping system specialist.

– Canola Seed Handling and Storage – David Nowlin, Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service director in Caddo County, and Carol Jones, Oklahoma State University agricultural engineer.

– Canola Price Outlook – Dale Thorenson, assistant director of the U.S. Canola Association from Washington, D.C.

– Grower Panel, moderated by Heath Sanders, Great Plains Canola Association field specialist from Yukon, Oklahoma.

– Great Plains Canola Association and Oklahoma Oilseed Commission Updates – Ron Sholar, executive director from Stillwater, Oklahoma.

In Enid only, the educational event will be followed at 2:30 p.m. by the Great Plains Canola Association meeting.

Website: http://agrilife.org/

Published: June 30, 2015