Released: April 04, 2008

K-State to Sponsor Canola Field Tour April 16

MANHATTAN, Kan. -- Kansas farmers will have the chance to gather first-hand information on growing canola in Kansas from a fellow producer, canola researchers and other speakers during the Canola Field Tour scheduled for April 16 in Rice and Reno counties.

The tour gives producers and others an opportunity to learn more about a crop that could become increasingly important in Kansas crop rotations.

K-State and Oklahoma State University have been collaborating on research aimed at increasing the profitability of canola production in the southern Great Plains.

Times, locations and speakers for the tour include:

* 9:00 to 10:15 a.m.: Clark Woodworth Farm, Sterling - Canola producer Clark Woodworth will share his experiences with growing canola and how it has helped his crop rotation. K-State Research and Extension agronomist Vic Martin will share results from tillage and fertility research and will discuss a multi-site research project funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency. K-State agronomist Kraig Roozeboom will discuss preliminary results from a canola establishment study.

*10:45 to 11:15 a.m.: Partridge Research Farm, Partridge - K-State agronomist Dave Mengel will give a presentation on soil fertility issues in canola production and Martin will give an overview of tillage systems research.

*11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: K-State South Central Experiment Field, Hutchinson - Canola researcher Mike Stamm will discuss the results of variety trials and development and potential releases.

Canola, raised primarily for its use as cooking oil, is a broadleaf crop that can be grown in rotation with wheat in Kansas and Oklahoma. The water-efficient crop can reduce grassy weeds, diseases and insects in subsequent wheat fields and can be a forage crop for livestock. When the oilseed is crushed, it results in one of the most healthy vegetable oils available, plus a high-protein meal that dairies, in particular, like to feed.

More information, registration and directions to the sites are available by contacting Troy-Lynn Eckart at 785-532-5776 or sprite@ksu.edu.

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K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K-State campus, Manhattan.

Story by:
Phil White,
pbwhite@ksu.edu
K-State Research& Extension News