Pulse Check (Lentil & Chickpea) Discussion Group Meeting – 7 March, Dookie

19 February, 2018

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Lentil and Chickpea Marketing and Pre-Sowing Meeting

Farming systems group Riverine Plains Inc will host a pre-sowing Pulse Check Discussion Group meeting at Dookie on Wednesday 7 March. The meeting will provide an opportunity for local growers and advisors interested in lentil and chickpea production to discuss practical aspects of production and marketing.

Riverine Plains Inc Pulse Check Facilitator, Michelle Pardy, explained that local interest in lentils and chickpeas had been growing as growers looked for more reliable pulse options, with favourable pricing contributing to the rising interest.

“A number of growers in southern NSW and north-east Victoria grew chickpeas or lentils for the first time in 2018, with harvest results being largely positive despite the impact of frost, the dry September and harvest rains” said Michelle.

“With more growers curious about these crop types, and with sowing not too far away, this pre-sowing meeting aims to help growers with some of their lentil or chickpea marketing and planning decisions” she said.

“Of particular interest will be the implications of the recent 30% import tariff imposed by India, so we have arranged for experienced pulse agronomist and Pulse Australia Southern Region Industry Development Manager, Phil Bowden, to discuss this and other aspects of pricing and marketing” said Michelle.

Phil will also be involved in other discussions around paddock and variety selection, herbicide options, inoculant use and early nutrition. Growers can also bring in samples of graded seed from 2017 so that individual seeding rates can be calculated for 2018.

The pre-sowing Pulse Check Discussion Group Meeting will be held on Wednesday 7 March, 2018 at the Gladstone Hotel, Dookie, from 1pm – approx. 3pm. Current and prospective lentil and chickpea growers and advisors are welcome, with new growers especially invited to attend.

Light refreshments provided: RSVP for catering purposes to Riverine Plains Inc Pulse Check Group Facilitator, Michelle Pardy, on 03 5744 1713 or michelle@riverineplains.org.au.

For further information visit www.riverineplains.org.au.

The Riverine Plains Inc Pulse Check Discussion group has been established as part of GRDC’s Southern Pulse Extension Project. The Southern Pulse Extension project is being delivered by a consortium of organisations involved in the pulse industry across GRDC’s Southern region and provides a collaborative opportunity to increase the knowledge of growers and advisers on sustainable pulse production. 

Riverine Plains Inc is an independent farming systems group specialising in farmer driven research and extension across north-east Victoria and southern New South Wales. For more information, or to become a member, please visit www.riverineplains.org.au.

 

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More Information or Interview:

Michelle Pardy, Riverine Plains Inc Pulse Check Facilitator on 03 5744 1713 or 0428 734 795.