Objective 4: Involving Producers and Industry in this Effort

This project is designed specifically to address the unpredictable occurrence of viruses in cool season legumes in the Palouse region and to help producers manage risk of infection and yield loss associated with these viruses.

Two-way communication between the project leadership and industry (producers and fieldmen for agricultural service providers) is essential. 

To communicate project activities and findings to industry, we rely on four methods:

  1. This web site, which posts information and allows you to provide feedback by email.
  2. Presentations to grower meetings, cereal schools and other gatherings
  3. Articles or brief postings to the 'Pulse Pipeline' - an industry newsletter published by the USA Dry Pea and Lentil Council.
  4. A grower advisory group that meets at least annually to review project activities and suggest improvements.

During this year our website received thousands of hits. We have received feedback that the site is easy to use and informative. In the near future, we will be posting more information about progress in plant breeding and decision support (Objectives 2 and 3 of the proposal) and designing improved mechanisms for users to report their observations concerning pea aphid infestations and virus.

During this year, we made 8 presentations to grower meetings, industry committees, and cereal schools. These included presentations to the Western Pea and Lentil Growers Association (Dec. 10, 2008), the Spokane Spokane County Crop Improvement Association Annual Meeting (Nov 25, 2008), the Nez Perce County Growers Association (Dec. 6, 2008), the Lewis/Idaho/Clearwater Counties Prairie Area Extension Cereal School (Feb 10, 2009),  the Clear Creek Direct Seed Meeting (March 12, 2009), the USA Dry Pea and Lentil Research Committee Meeting (May, 2009), the University of Idaho Plant Science Farm Field Day (June 24, 2009).

A pdf file of a recent presentation can be accessed here (coming soon).

During the coming fall and winter, we will be making similar presentations throughout the region. Check this page for a list of scheduled presentations and titles.