Midwest Pulse Growers Association Considered

FARGO - Jan 11/06 - SNS-- Pulse growers from Montana and North Dakota will consider creating a regional association for growers in the two states and potentially growers from South Dakota and other midwestern states.

The idea is slated to be one of the main topics at the upcoming North Dakota Dry Pea and Lentil Association (NDDPLA) Annual Convention on January 23 and 24, 2006 at the Holiday Inn in Minot North Dakota. The NDDPLA will ask the membership for a decision on the concept of forming a regional organization that will represent pulse crop producers in Montana and North Dakota.

The idea of a regional pulse grower's organization has been discussed for several years between North Dakota and Montana pulse crop producers.

"Producers in both states have similar issues when it comes to marketing, production, and pulse research. The idea of a regional organization will be an opportunity for our states to combine resources and become even more effective and achieve the overall goal of returning the highest value back to the pulse producer," stated Kim Murray, pulse producer from Froid MT.

Producer members of the NDDPLA will be presented with the decision of forming a regional pulse growers association at the NDDPLA annual convention. The NDDPLA is seeking the approval or disapproval of a concept that would bring the two states together.

"The NDDPLA wants to bring this concept in front of the grower membership to gain their feed back. The bottom line is it is up to the producer members of the NDDPLA to expand into a regional organization," stated Mark Kok, pulse producer and Vice President of the NDDPLA.

North Dakota and Montana are the top two pulse producing states in the United States with over 950,000 acres of peas, lentils and chickpeas.