March 1996
Small Grains Institute March 6-7 in Crookston
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Prairie Grains is the
official publication of
the Minnesota
Association of
Wheat Growers,
North Dakota Grain
Growers Association,
South Dakota Wheat,
Inc., and the
Minnesota Barley
Growers Association.
This year, however, marks a significant step in the SGI's six-year history; exhibits and part of the program as well have been broadened to include other northern-grown crops, in addition to small grains.
"We felt this move was necessary for the growth of the SGI, and to stress the importance of crops such as sunflowers, dry beans, canola, and soybeans, that these crops are beneficial to farmers and enhance small grains in a rotation system," says Morris Davidson, extension agent for Grand Forks County, and chair of this year's SGI. Sugarbeets and potatoes have not been included, since those crops are showcased in other area shows and institutes.
Over 100 exhibits dealing with crops services, products, and equipment covering close to 100,000 square feet are expected at the SGI. Show hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. There is no charge for admission or parking, and concessions will be available.
Ken Root is the host of AgriTalk, a national daily farm radio talk show that is broadcast on 120 stations in 28 states. AgriTalk focuses on issues facing rural America and agriculture.
Root is a former vo-ag teacher and former executive director of the National Agrichemical Retailers Association. In addition to hosting AgriTalk, based in Kansas City, Root runs two companies which work with ag retailers and manufacturers to communicate with agrichemical dealers and to ensure compliance with rules and regulations of state and federal agencies.
At the SGI, Root will originate his broadcast for the day with the topic, "The U.S.-Canadian Grain Dispute," at 10 am on March 6. Marvin Duncan, professor of agricultural economics at North Dakota State University, will join Root as a radio guest on the subject. Audience members will have a chance to watch the AgriTalk radio show take place, and may participate in discussing the U.S.-Canadian grain issue.
Root puts his radio headphones aside to speak on the topic, "Rural America Makes a Comeback," at 1 p.m. on March 6.
Also on March 6, Terry Gregoire, NDSU area extension specialist, will discuss profitable canola production techniques at 11:30 a.m.; and at 2:30 p.m., David Noetzel, professor emeritus at the University of Minnesota, will discuss the orange blossom wheat midge.
Pat Jensen became executive director of the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute last fall. Prior to joining AURI, Jensen served as the acting assistant secretary for marketing and regulatory programs at USDA in Washington, D.C. Before that, Jensen built an extensive career in agriculture, ranging from deputy commissioner at the Minnesota Department of Agriculture in the late 1980s to government relations director for the Pillsbury Company in the early 1980s.
At the USDA, Jensen managed three agencies regulating quality, marketing, and transportation of the nation's food supply. "I never intended to stay in Washington. The average assistant secretary stay is 18 months-I stayed longer than usual," said Jensen in an AURI publication after her arrival. "I wanted to gain a unique kind of experience and come back to Minnesota to put it to use."
Jensen has worked with ag commissioners in virtually every state, in Central and South America, in Mexico and overseas. She will be the SGI's keynote speaker at 11:30 a.m. on March 7.
Other speakers that day include Vern Hofman, NDSU ag engineer, who will evaluate the stripper grain header and the air-assist sprayer technology at 10 a.m.; as well as the 1996 small grains outlook at 1 p.m., featuring Neal Fisher, North Dakota Wheat Commission; Sheldon Laib, Futech Commodity Services; and Pat Henderson, American Oat Association. The program will conclude at 2:30 pm with a discussion of weeds to watch in 1996, by Bev Durgan, U of M extension weed specialist.