Two western Best of the Best in Research and Marketing meetings focusing on wheat and barley production will be held in Bottineau, N.D., and in Dickinson, N.D., Feb. 16-17.

Joel Ransom, NDSU Extension Service agronomist and one of the meeting organizers, said, “This is the first time that wheat and barley will be covered together in the Best of the Best format.”

Also for the first time, the Institute of Barley and Malt Sciences is helping to organize the meeting. Paul Schwarz, director of the IBMS, said, “This is a great opportunity for collaboration with agricultural organizations in North Dakota.” Other groups organizing and sponsoring the event include the North Dakota Grain Growers Association, the North Dakota Wheat Commission, the North Dakota Barley Council and the American Malting Barley Association.

Speakers will include both Extension and industry experts on topics such as varietal selection, grain storage, diseases and insects, fertilizer use, cover crops and marketing. Hands-on demonstrations planned will include barley and malt quality, insect and fertilizer information. Hans Kandel, extension agronomist from NDSU and organizer of the eastern Best of the Best Meetings, says, “The hands-on demonstrations during the middle of the day are particularly popular.”

The meeting in Bottineau will be held on Feb. 16 at the Holwell Auditorium at the Bottineau High School and on Feb. 17 at the Days Inn Grand Dakota Lodge in Dickinson.

Both meetings will begin at 8:30 a.m. and a free noon lunch will be provided. There is no participation fee, but advanced registration is required. To register online, go to https://www.smallgrains.org/2010Best/registration.html. For questions or to register by phone, call 701-325-5111.