We are seeking participants for two on-farm research trials. Learn more and apply by March 31.
Shared Learning Calls
Join Us for Small Grains Shared Learning Calls
Small grains shared learning calls are conference calls where you can listen and talk with other farmers and small grains enthusiasts. Each month our speaker(s) share experiences and production practices for 40 minutes, and then we open the floor for questions and discussion. Shared learning calls usually take place on the first Friday of the month from noon-1 p.m.
We use Zoom to host these virtual events. To participate in shared learning calls, you can either join by phone or computer.
Receive reminders about future shared learning calls and get resources on small grain production delivered straight to your inbox by signing up for our monthly “Small Grains News” newsletter.
Schedule
April 11 | Noon-1 p.m.
Preventing and Managing Disease in Oats
The 2024 growing season brought with it conditions perfect for Fusarium levels to spike in oats, a crop that normally has less prevalence of the disease. Farmers across the Midwest scrambled to figure out how to make the most of their infected oat crops.
As oats begin their next season of growth, last year’s experiences and an awareness of how Fusarium functions in other small grains can help farmers assess and manage disease risk. University of Minnesota Extension Small Grain Specialist Jochum Wiersma offers tips to help farmers plan ahead to try to prevent disease prevalence, including both Fusarium and the longstanding oat opponent, crown rust. He’ll also share approaches for handling the crop when diseases do appear.
Jochum Wiersma is University of Minnesota Extension’s small grains specialist at the Northwest Research and Outreach Center in Crookston, Minnesota. His research and extension efforts focus on improving small grains productivity and profitability.
Save these future learning call dates on your calendar:
- July 11, 2025
- Aug. 1, 2025
- Sept. 5, 2025
- Dec. 5, 2025
Share Your Ideas for Future Calls
Shared learning calls are a staple of PFI’s small grains programming. We would love to hear your feedback on previous calls and what topics or speakers you’d like to learn from in 2025 and beyond.
If you have feedback to share about previous calls you attended or have ideas for future calls, please fill out this short form to share your thoughts so we can aim to better tailor upcoming calls to your interests.
Blog Recaps
Most shared learning calls are followed up with a blog recap. Read through our recent shared learning call recap blogs to see what you missed:
- Unlocking the Potential of the Soil: Boosting Forage Nutrition With Extended Rotations
- Getting Started with Kernza: Top Tips for Planting, Harvesting and Marketing
- Research Connects Soil Health Principles, Ecosystem Services and Climate Resiliency to Extended Rotations
- Incorporating Oats in Extended Rotations
- Feeding, Grazing and Growing Nitrogen With Red Clover
- Incorporating Small Grains in Livestock Rations to Achieve Regenerative Agriculture Goals
- The “Why” of Winter Barley, Plus 4 Tips on Winter Barley Double Cropping
- Making the Most of Winter Grains in an Extended Rotation
- Observations on Summer Crops, Small Grains and Grazing Covers
There’s plenty more than just the handful of blogs listed above! Check out the latest small grains resources.
Acknowledgements
This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, under grant ID 2004.22.075401 and agreement number 75401.
Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In addition, any reference to specific grants or types of products or services does not constitute or imply an endorsement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for those products or services.
This project is also made possible through a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, with support from ADM re:generations.