Minnesota CropCast

Dr. Kevin Smith is best known for leading the University of Minnesota Barley Breeding program. Kevin has been forced to react to changes in plant diseases, economic challenges from other crops, and evolving demands of the brewing industry, but he has new varieties that will be in your beer soon. In this episode he talks with David and Seth about the opportunities to develop varieties for a changing beer industry in the US. Kevin also leads the breeding efforts for another traditional Minnesota crop, oat. Kevin talks about oat’s unique challenges and the opportunity to compete with Canadian production.  Finally, Dr. Smith is working to domesticate a crop for tomorrow, Silphium. Kevin speaks briefly of the challenges in crop domestication. - Silphium integrifolium is a native perennial plant in the sunflower family. 

What is Minnesota CropCast?

Hosts David Nicolai and Seth Naeve discuss the progress and challenges of Minnesota's agronomic crops. They are joined each week by a diversity of specialists representing all crops and agronomic disciplines to discuss their research and its impact on Minnesota crops. Dave Nicolai is a crops Extension educator and Seth Naeve is the Extension soybean agronomist.

If you would like a transcript of the episode please contact either dwinegar@umn.edu or backes@umn.edu