As interest in field peas continues to grow across Nebraska, producers are invited to get a firsthand look at current research and variety performance at field pea plot tours on May 13-14.
The first day of the tours will be on Wednesday, May 13, at 5 p.m. CT, at the West Central Research, Extension and Education Center (WCREEC) dryland farm, south of North Platte. The tour will feature 20 acres of field peas. Along with spring and winter pea variety trials, agronomic studies on planting date, population, and planting depth, and peas grown on corn and wheat residue systems. The event will meet at WCREEC at 6:30 p.m. for pizza, networking, and discussion.
University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL) Cropping Systems Specialist Nicolas Cafaro La Menza and Alternative Crops Breeding Specialist Dipak Santra will share insights from field pea research conducted in collaboration with the Nebraska Dry Pea and Lentil Commission and the Nebraska Department of Agriculture. Attendees are encouraged to share their own experiences and observations.
Visiting pea breeders and developers from Washington State, Kurt Braunwart, Patrick Dailey, and Jackson Meyer, will also attend and are eager to hear from Nebraska producers and industry about genetics, production, and markets.
Participants will walk the plots and discuss opportunities and challenges for expanding field pea production in Nebraska. WCREEC is at 8503 S. Dodge Hill Rd. North Platte.
The second day of tours will be held on Thursday, May 14, visiting two field pea locations.
- 10 a.m. (MT) - Henry Stumpf International Wheat Center, 76025 Rd 329, near Grant.
- 1 p.m. (MT) - Roland Rushman Farm, 4627 Road 135, near Gurley.
No registration is required. Come walk the peas and help shape the future of field pea production in Nebraska.
For more information, contact Nicolas Cafaro La Menza at 308-696-6712 or Dipak Santra at 308-632-1244.
