PULLMAN, Wash. — For decades, Northwest growers had to rely on intensive tillage to manage disease organisms under tight crop rotation restrictions of USDA farm programs. But new farm legislation gives farmers freedom to join the rapid transition to more profitable direct- seed/minimum tillage systems and be more competitive in global markets.
Roger Veseth, Washington State University/University of Idaho conservation tillage specialist, says adaptation of crop rotations to manage pests previously managed by tillage is an important key to successful direct-seed systems.
Economic and agronomic strategies for crop rotations for successful direct-seed systems is featured in the Northwest Direct Seed Cropping Systems Conference and Trade Show, Jan. 5-7, at the International Ag Trade and Convention Center in Spokane, Wash.
The program features 37 speakers, including 14 researchers and seven industry representatives and 16 growers from across the United States, Canada, Brazil and Argentina. Topics include:
Considerations and strategies for selecting crops and rotations for direct seeding;
- Extended rotations and annual cropping in crop-fallow areas;
- Direct-seed rotations for the intermediate rainfall zone;
- Grower experiences with cropping systems and equipment;
- Agronomics and economics of new alternate crops, and
- Negotiating new lease arrangements with the transition to direct seeding and new rotations.
Conference pre-registration is $75 through Dec.18, and $90 after that date.
Contact the NW Direct Seed Conference office at 509-547-5538, FAX 547-5563, or e-mail maurer@oneworld.owt.com for a program and pre-registration brochure, or trade show/sponsorship prospectus.
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