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Universities
Retool Farming |
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Farming
isn't what it used to be, and it isn't going to remain what it is
today if agricultural scientists have their druthers. Researchers
at Washington State University, the University of Idaho, Oregon State
University and in the U.S. Department of Agriculture are working hard
to retool Pacific Northwest farming, if not reinvent it. Research
and education efforts are under way to provide the technologies for
farmers to switch to direct-seeding cropping.
Conversion to direct seeding represents
the third major change in the way dryland farming is conducted in
this region. In the late 1800s, farmers planted spring wheat after
a year of fallow and harvested it in the fall. About 1910, farmers
began switching to winter wheat planted after fall rains began. During
the late 1950s, farmers began seeding on fallow soil in August an
early September, before fall rains began. Both of these earlier innovations
in farming were based on new developments in wheat varieties and in
machinery, which significantly increased yield potential and farm
profitability. Although direct seeding is still in the early development
stages in the Northwest, after introduction during the 1970s, scientists
believe it eventually will dominate grain production as it has in
Canada, Australia, Argentina, Brazil and other global grain market
competitors.
The term "direct seeding" refers to
planting and fertilizing in one or two field operations with no prior
tillage to prepare the soil after the previous crop. A low disturbance
direct-seed system is the same as what was traditionally called "no-till
farming."
This friendly revolution is
being fueled by at least a dozen separate, but complementary, large-scale
research projects. They involve more than 800 acres, across low, intermediate
and high precipitation zones. There is clear evidence that direct
seeding improves soil quality and productivity over time. This is
due to increased soil organic matter content and biological activity.
Related increases in soil water infiltration and storage also provide
the potential for higher crop yields and farm profitability. Improved
air and water quality, and wildlife habitat provide broader societal
benefits from direct seeding.
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Farmer John Aeschliman believes his direct-seed system helps the beneficial organisms in the soil flourish. |
Research has shown that increased cropping intensity and more spring crops in rotations can help control such weeds as downy brome (cheat grass) and jointed goatgrass under direct seeding. Control of Hessian fly and root diseases such as Fusarium, Rhizoctonia and Pythium root rots can be more difficult. Scientists are developing control strategies for these pests and diseases.
Research includes not only the physical sciences, but economics as well. Among other factors, agricultural economists are studying whether there are differences in herbicide costs for conventional versus direct-seed operations; whether the capital investments require for direct-seeding equipment are economically justified and whether alternative crops needed in crop rotations can be profitable. Tenant-landlord contracts also are being studied within the context of direct seeding.
But, science and technology are of little value if not applied in the field. To that end, the direct seeding effort includes strong educational components. A chief element in the educational effort is the annual Northwest Direct-Seed Cropping Systems Conference held each January since 1998. Attendance has run between 650 and 1000. Other technology access efforts include publications, a website, an e-mail list server, field days, tours and meetings.
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