Pulse Crop Acreage Growing Significantly

Peas, lentils, chickpeas and other pulse crops have grown significantly according to Tim McGreevey of the U.S. Dry Pea and Lentil Council.

“We had about 400,000 acres in of peas, lentils and chickpeas in 1995 and you fast forward to 2016 and we have now almost 2.6 million acres of those peas, lentils and chickpeas planted.”

That growth comes in many areas like Montana that had never grown pulse crops before.

McGreevey said the reason why is pretty simple; new crop insurance products and risk management tools.

“It’s given us an opportunity to really educate these growers on how to raise these crops, how to manage the risk on these crops, how to market these crops so they feel comfortable raising them and what market they’re actually shooting for.”

Find out more on the U.S. Dry Pea and Lentil Council website, usapulses.org.