NPGA Convention Presentations

2018 NPGA Convention A Success!

The 25th Annual Convention of the Northern Pulse Growers Association took place January 22nd & 23rd, 2018 at Holiday Inn-Riverside in Minot, ND. The two days where filled with diverse speaker presentations, industry reports, networking, live demonstrations and generous prize give-a-ways in celebration of 25 years!

Jerry Schillinger, then - NPGA President, moderated the two-day event. Schillinger remembered the days when neighbors asked him, “Are you growing those funny crops again this year?” He responds today, “They’re not funny anymore.” According to recent consumer data by the USA Dry Pea & Lentil Council, domestic pulse consumption as tripled since 2013 to 2017 marketing years. NPGA’s Marketing Director, Brian Gion says that new pulse processing facilities are growing as well, with new plants in Plentywood, MT; Beach, ND; and Harrold SD.

Darren and Brian Hefty, farmers and producers of the popular radio show, Ag PhD. took the stage for a stimulating collaborative presentation followed by a live radio show broadcast. The significance of the Hefty Brother’s presentation was improving the agronomic practices for growing pulse crops, including a wide array of topics from the advantages of cover crops, inoculation and seed treatment to reading a soil test from start of finish.

Growers appreciate any information that helps them grow a better crop, so presentations like Dr. Brian Jenks – NDSU Weed Scientist, Dr. Thomas Stefaniak – NDSU Asst. Pulse Breeder, and Dr. Julie Pasche – NDSU Plant Pathologist were presenting on the latest issues and information and answering any producer questions. The closing presentation was from Dale Thorenson, with Gordley Associates – the policy consultant to the US pulse industry explaining the status of the 2018 Farm Bill.

Closing out the day was Excellence and Service Awards, it is important to recognize those individuals that have contributed to the development of the pulse industry and have dedicated their time, support and service on the NPGA Board of Directors and the ND Dry Pea & Lentil Council. Service Awards were presented to Mark Schmidt of Tiago, ND, serving 9 years on the NPGA Board of Directors and Kevin Haas of Jamestown, ND also serving nine years on the ND Dry Pea & Lentil Council. Producer Excellence Award was presented to Beau Anderson of Williston, ND and Industry Excellence Award was presented to Kevin Haas of Jamestown, ND.

Lentils were leading the show at Monday evenings exhibitors’ social with Rebellion Brewing Company’s Lentil Cream Ale provided by AGT Food and Ingredients and the consensus was the lentil beer was a real contender to the Bud Light that was being served.

Day two was jumped started with hearing from our ND congressional representation followed by the annual business meeting, elections, and industry policy positions to finish out the morning. Tim McGreevy, USADPLC CEO and Pat Smith USADPLC Chair presented the current marketing efforts and results of the North American Marketing Campaign and presented the NPGA and the ND Dry Pea &Lentil Council a 25 years of service award.

The convention closed with a live demonstration of a grain bin rescue presented by a specially trained Minot Fire and Rescue team.

During the convention, in a different meeting area, 48 exhibitors and sponsor carried out business from what is the best seed to plant to the best inoculants to use, weed killing solutions, processors, exporters, shippers and some new comers to the industry. More than 25 door prizes were giving away throughout convention to encourage interaction between attendees and exhibitors. The grand prize was a $2,600 grain bin safety kit to donate to the winner’s rural fire department of their choice. The winner of the grain bin safety kit was Brian Kaae of Dagmar, MT.

NPGA Elects Officers

After the NPGA Annual Convention, the NPGA Board of Directors had an election of officers. Chris Westergard, a pulse producer from Dagmar, MT was elected at NPGA’s President for 2018. Elected Vice-President was Mark Hardy of Beach, ND; Treasurer Sam Arnson, Williston, ND; and Secretary Chad Anderson of Minot, ND. Newly elects to serve first terms on the NPGA Board of Directors were Ryan Davidson, from Tioga, ND to serve District V and Kevin Haas from Jamestown, ND to serve District VII. Remaining board consists of Jerry Schillinger, Circle, MT – District III; Chad Doheny, Dutton, MT – At Large; Matthew McCabe, Ekalaka, MT – At Large; Todd Wagner, Nashua, MT – District I.

2018 Convention Presentations

NPGA Update by Shannon Berndt, Exec Director

AgPhD By Darren and Brian Hefty

Farm Bill Update by Dale Thorenson

Weed Control Update by Dr. Brian Jenks, NDSU

Root Rot: Have you heard (or had) enough yet? by Dr. Julie Pasche

Pulse Breeding Program by Dr. Thomas Stefaniak

NPGA Domestic Marketing Update by Brian Gion

USA Dry Pea & Lentil Council Update by Tim McGreevy

NPGA Convention Presentations

Growers

Join the NPGA

News

Events

Pulse Quick List

Platinum Sponsors