A rapeseed, canola and mustard field day
Farm and Ranch June 29, 2010 The University of Idaho holds its 9th Rapeseed, Canola and Mustard Field Day next Wednesday, July 7th. U of I plant breeder Jack Brown discusses the field day held at the Plant Science Parker Farm by Moscow every other year. Brown: “We have a field day that is dedicated only to brassica crops. So we cover canola, rapeseed. We do a lot of work on biodiesel so there is going to be a biodiesel component. We also do a lot of work on mustard, oriental and yellow mustard using these mustards as a condiment spice but also using the byproducts, the meal, as a biopesticide to kill weeds, nematodes and wireworms in the soil. So it is a pretty exciting time for us. We do a lot of work on brassica crops in my program. I am a plant breeder, but the university itself does a lot of work on weed research, nutrient research, entomology, all related to these canola type products.” Brown says with the interest in biodiesel these oilseed crops are seeing better prices for farmers and attracting attention. Brown: “So hopefully we will have a good crowd on industry people as well as growers and just general public that may be interested in biodiesel, agriculture in general and of course brassica oilseed crops and mustard crops.” The field day at the University of Idaho’s Parker Farm outside Moscow runs from 8:00 a.m. to one p.m. on July 7th. There is a hosted lunch. I’m Bob Hoff and that’s the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report on Northwest Aginfo Net.
