“To start 2011 with a very positive message for current and potential pulse growers, PGRO are holding a number of technical events in the next two months in partnership with Syngenta Crop Protection and also holding a joint conference with HGCA,” says Salvador Potter, Chief Executive of PGRO. “The series of nine PGRO & Syngenta Roadshows will take place at venues around the UK, starting in York on Monday 17th January and ending in Berwick on Tweed on Wednesday 2nd March. In addition, on Wednesday 26th January the annual HGCA/PGRO Oilseeds and Pulses Conference will be held at the East of England Showground.”

The popular PGRO & Syngenta Roadshows offer a unique opportunity to ask experts from the merchants, PGRO, and Syngenta Crop Protection key questions about your peas and beans. Topics covered will include:

*   World protein supply:  can we keep up with demand?  

*   We can sell pulses:  a word from your local merchant  

*   Variety top tips:  Pea & Field bean options for the spring 

*   Agronomy blueprint:  establish correctly and optimise both yield and quality 

*   Fungicide options:  what diseases are key to control?  What product options are available for 2011?    How often should you spray? 

*   Insecticide options:  aphids, moths and bruchid – can you afford to live with them? 

*   Herbicide update:  which weeds pose the biggest threat to my returns?      Key product options for 2011

*   Syngenta's legume programme: what products are new for the market in 2011?

Attendance is free of charge, with meetings beginning at 10am or 4pm depending on venue. For full details of dates and venues go to www.pgro.org/about-us/diary-events/160-briefings.html

The HGCA/PGRO Oilseeds and Pulses Conference will be held on Wednesday 26th January at the East of England Showground, Peterborough. The Conference will cover a range of topics of value to everyone involved in the oilseeds and pulse sectors. 

The event will be chaired by Chris Baldwin, Managing Director, United Oilseeds and will start with presentations on the market outlook for oilseeds by Michael Archer and David Eudall of Market Intelligence, AHDB followed by pulses from Salvador Potter, Chief Executive, PGRO. 

There will also be papers on genetic technologies for improving varieties of protein and oilseed crops, feeding protein crops to mongastrics, yield vs. input decisions, weed management options and arable research developments.