Kent McKay

Area Extension Agronomist

North Central Research Center, Minot, N.D.

There is an opportunity in the northern plains states to raise high quality field peas and lentils. There are two main markets for field peas: human edible or feed. Human edible pea markets are well established in the United States and Canada. Eastern Washington and western Idaho have been raising 175,000 acres of field peas for over 30 years, primarily for the human edible market. There were approximately 85,000 acres of field peas in North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, and Minnesota in 1997 compared to 20,000 acres in 1994. The human edible market is a premium market over feed peas and usually is 0.50 cents to $2.00 a bushel higher in price.

A grower needs to decide before raising field peas, which market he is going to go after. Feed peas are "feed peas" primarily used as a livestock feed. There are no grade standards or any major quality problems to consider when raising feed peas. Color, split seed coats, bleached peas, cracked seeds are not factors when raising feed peas, however they are very important grading standards in the human edible market. Quality is the number one focus a grower needs to keep in mind when raising field peas for the human edible market. There are many management practices to consider when raising human edible peas.

Variety selection is very important. There are only a few varieties that are accepted by industry for the human edible market. A grower should always make sure to contact the possible buyer of his peas that the variety that he is going to seed is one that is accepted by industry. It is important to use high quality or certified seed to maintain purity of the seed that is planted. Planting early in very important. Research in 1997 at the North Central Research Center, Minot, N.D., indicated that there was a trend of decreasing field pea yields planted after mid May. Later plantings were subjected to drought stress in August reducing yields. Research at the Carrington Research Extension Center, Carrington, N.D., had similar results in 1997. The highest yields were with plantings before mid May. Later plantings had severe powdery mildew problems resulting in yields to be significantly reduced.

An optimum plant population of field peas is 300,000 plants per acre or 6 to 7 plants per square foot. A uniform stand will aid in even maturity at harvest. Knowing field histories and past crops in rotation is very important for weed control strategies and disease/insect management. Harvesting and handling peas is where most quality problems occur. Beginning harvest when moisture is at 16% is recommended to help reduce the risk of split seed coats and cracking seed. Once moisture falls below 14% the risk of damage to the seed from harvest and handling increases significant. Modifications to the combine such as slow cylinder speed and proper concave clearance is very important. Augers can be source where damage to the seed is often overlooked. Running the auger as full and as slow has possible will help reduce the potential of cracking the seed. Brush augers will reduce the potential of cracking the seed. Belt type conveyors work even better especially with dry or cold seed.

Quality is the most important consideration when raising lentils. The main lentil market is for human consumption. Using high quality seed that has been tested for ascochyta blight is very important. Optimum plant population is 500,000 plant per acre or 12 plants per square foot. The seeding depth should not exceed 2 inches for lentils more susceptible to soil crusting than peas. Knowing field histories and past crops in rotation is very important for weed control strategies and disease/insect management. Rolling lentils should be considered to level the ground surface and flatten rocks. Lentils have an indeterminate growth which results in timely decisions to be made with swathing and harvesting. Similar practices when handling lentils to avoid, cracking the seed coat should be considered as with peas.