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Nebraska pulse crop conference highlights key advancements

Nebraska pulse crop conference highlights key advancements


By Scout Nelson

Dry pea growers in Nebraska received welcome news at the 2023 Nebraska Pulse Crops Conference, as the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced significant upgrades and expanded revenue protection for spring smooth green or yellow dry peas in the state.

"We heard recently, after several years, Nebraska growers are now eligible for revenue-based crop insurance for their dry peas,” said Todd Scholz, vice president of research and member services of the USA Dry Pea and Lentil Council.

This expansion by USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) is set to commence in the crop year 2024, initially in select counties of five states, including Nebraska. Scholz expressed the significance of this development, noting that it offers growers yield protection and revenue security.

Achieving this expansion was a collaborative effort involving growers, processors, and specialists from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, who collectively gathered essential data on peas, lentils, and chickpeas over 10-15 years.

At the conference held on Nov. 20 in Bridgeport, hosted by the Nebraska Extension, Scholz shared this information and discussed ongoing projects of the USA Dry Pea and Lentil Council aimed at improving the market for pulse growers.

A key topic was the USDA Dietary Guidelines Committee is considering a change in dietary guidelines for 2025, a significant update since 2010. The Coalition for the Advancement of Pulses is advocating for an increase in recommended pulse intake from 1.5 to three cups per week, citing the lack of scientific evidence for the previous reduction and potential health benefits.

Scholz underscored the importance of these guidelines, not only for personal health advice but also as they form the basis of federal feeding programs and health recommendations from various organizations. An increase in recommended pulse intake would also necessitate a rise in pulse crop production.

The conference covered various topics including agronomy, breeding, soil nutrient management, diseases, nutrition, trade, and policy related to field peas, chickpeas, black-eyed peas, and other pulses, offering valuable insights for the agriculture community.

 

Photo Credit: usda

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Categories: Nebraska, Crops

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