Service providers should register now to attend the July 25 Canola 101 Workshop

Wednesday, June 28, 2017

Service providers to canola producers who are interested in learning more about the crop should register now to attend the free-of-charge Canola 101 Workshop taking place July 25 in Stillwater.

Ron Sholar, Great Plains Canola Association executive director, said the training event will cover the basics of canola production and will be helpful to both those new to the crop as well as those who have some experience but who are looking for more in-depth information.

On-site registration will begin at 8 a.m. with the program kicking off at 9 a.m. and finishing at approximately 3 p.m. The conference will take place in Agricultural Hall Room 108 on OSU’s Stillwater campus, located at the corner of Farm Road and Monroe Street.

“This will be a great opportunity to learn from and speak with leading experts in the field,” Sholar said. “Many producers are familiar with Canola College, which is designed for growers and others interested in gaining more knowledge about producing the crop. The Canola 101 Workshop is planned as a complementary event.”

The workshop is designed for agricultural lenders, crop insurance agents, crop loss adjustors, crop advisers, Cooperative Extension educators and government agency personnel who support canola growers.

“Although participants can register at the door, we ask everyone to pre-register as soon as possible because it greatly aids our planning and helps ensure that sufficient numbers of workshop materials, refreshments and meals are on hand,” said Josh Lofton, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension cropping systems specialist.

Participants can register online at http://www.canola.okstate.edu through the OSU Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources website.

The educational event is a joint effort of DASNR, GPCA, the Oklahoma Oilseed Commission, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency and cooperating partners in the canola industry.

Lofton said lunch and refreshments are being provided free-of-charge to participants, thanks to the generous sponsorship of canola industry members.

The Canola 101 Workshop will focus on key topics such as why canola works in Oklahoma, how the canola plant grows, growing canola versus other crop options, best management practices relative to canola production, an economic overview, marketing options and estimating yields and losses.

“Canola’s importance to the region has increased dramatically since 2010,” Sholar said. “The July 25 workshop is an opportunity for service providers to better understand how they can best serve those growers who are producing the crop.”

Anyone seeking additional information about the Canola 101 Workshop should contact Lofton by email at josh.lofton@okstate.edu or by phone at 405-744-3389, or Sholar by email at jrsholar@aol.com or by phone at 405-780-0113.