Oat production in Minnesota is experiencing a modest renaissance. Just four years ago, oat acreage had declined to a record low, with only 77,000 acres harvested, according to NASS. This season, 165,000 acres were harvested for grain. Despite the rebound, current acreage remains small compared with historical levels, which peaked at roughly 5 million acres annually in the decade following World War II. The increase is being driven by a range of factors, including pet food manufacturers seeking alternatives to wheat or barley, growing concerns about groundwater quality, and producers looking for more profitable cropping options.
The upcoming Small Grains Update meetings in eastern and southern Minnesota will place a strong emphasis on oat production and management, covering the crop from start to finish. Additional topics will include variety selection for spring wheat, winter wheat, and winter rye. Note that the meetings in Rochester and Slayton are part of a larger extension program that day.
These free workshops are sponsored by the Minnesota Wheat Research and Promotion Council. Please register online to ensure that there is coffee, cookies, and food for everyone.
Details for each event are below:
February 16 - Grand Rapids: North Central Research & Outreach Center, 1861 E. US Hwy 169, Grand Rapids, MN 55744, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm with lunch starting at noon. (Contact Troy Salzer at 218-591-0478, please register at z.umn.edu/smallgrainsupdate by February 12 for meal count)
February 17 - Cold Spring: Great Blue Heron, 305 5th Ave S, Cold Spring, MN 56320, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm with lunch following the meeting. (Contact Joe Krippner at 320-980-2915, please at z.umn.edu/smallgrainsupdate register by February 16 for meal count)
February 18 - Le Center: 4H Family Center, Le Sueur County Fairgrounds, 320 S Plut Ave, Le Center, MN 56057, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm with lunch following the meeting (Contact Colleen Carlson at 952-466-5300, please register at z.umn.edu/smallgrainsupdate by February 17 for meal count)
February 18 - Rochester: Aune Hall, 1508 Aune Hall Dr SE Rochester, MN 55904, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm, including lunch (Contact Mary Nesberg at 507-328-6225, please register at z.umn.edu/GrainGathering by February 11 for meal count
February 19 - Slayton: Murray County 4H-Building, 3048 Broadway Ave, Slayton, MN 56172, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm. Join the morning crops program from 9:00 am – 12:15 pm with lunch following (Contact Matti Boomgaarden at 507-836-6927, please register at z.umn.edu/SlaytonWCD2026 by February 17 for meal count)
February 20 - Benson: McKinney's on Southside, 300 14th St S, Benson, MN 56215, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm with lunch following the meeting. (Contact Scott Lee at 320-760-6129, please register at z.umn.edu/smallgrainsupdate by February 20 for meal count)
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