11/23/05 Pacific Northwest Grains Conference

Farm and Ranch November 23, 2005 For the first time since 1989, organizations that represent wheat and barley producers in the Pacific Northwest are holding a joint convention. The Idaho Grain Producers Association, the Oregon Wheat Growers League and the Washington Association of Wheat Growers hold their Pacific Northwest Grains Conference next week, November 30th thru December 2nd at the Coeur d'Alene Resort in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Tammy Dennee, executive director of the Oregon Wheat Growers League says leadership of the three states decided a joint investment of time and financial resources could make for a bigger and better conference for growers. Plus, there is the common interests of producers in the three PNW states. Dennee: "The Pacific Northwest has been very successful working together to market their grain products but also very effective lobbying their issues at the federal level. So it makes a lot of sense to work together to create an environment for growers to come together and network and be educated." And there will be numerous workshops for growers to choose from covering such topics as nitrogen availability, developing a goatgrass management system, biotech, and renewable energy. Dennee says a new farm bill will be the focus of the grain industry next year and a featured speaker at the Pacific Northwest Grains Conference will be retired Kansas State University ag economist Barry Flinchbaugh, a farm bill expert and a lively presenter. Dennee says if you have not yet registered you can always show up at the door and you'll be accommodated. I'm Bob Hoff and that's the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report on the Northwest Ag Information Network.