PULLMAN, Wash. — The first six of 16 new case studies on “Direct Seeding in the Inland Northwest” are available on the Internet and can be ordered from Cooperative Extension in Washington, Idaho and Oregon.
The case studies will help anyone interested in the subject to learn from growers experienced with direct seeding throughout the Inland Northwest, according to Roger Veseth, Extension conservation tillage specialist with Washington State University and the University of Idaho.
Each 8-page case study features a single farm operation and typically contains the following components:
- How the growers started direct seeding, and lessons learned;
- A description of their current direct seed system including: crops and rotation, residue management, weed, disease and insect control, fertility management and fertilizer application, seeding strategies;
- Description and evaluation of the drills they are using;
- Primary benefits and challenges of direct seeding seen by the growers;
- Advice for growers new to direct seeding;
- Economic summary (when available).
The farms featured in this case study series are located across the range of rainfall zones in the Inland Northwest region of Washington, Idaho and Oregon. They utilize a variety of equipment options and cropping systems.
Free print copies can be ordered from the extension publication offices in Washington (800) 723-1763, Idaho (208) 885-7982 and Oregon (541) 737-2513.
As soon as the publications go to press, they are also put on the PNW Conservation Tillage Systems Web site at http://pnwsteep.wsu.edu. Click on Direct Seed Case Studies.
This web page also provides an “Overview of the Series.” It briefly describes the format of the publications, and identifies the growers, farm locations and common crop rotations.
The following six publication are available, including annual precipitation and general farm location.
- PNW514 – John Rea Farm Case Study, 7-9 inches annual precipitation, west of Walla Walla, Wash.
- PNW515 – Aeschliman Farm Case Study, 15-20 inches annual precipitation, south of Colfax, Wash.
- PNW516 – Frank Lange Farm Case Study, 17-20 inches annual precipitation, near Palouse, Wash.
- PNW522 – Riggers Farm Case Study, 22-25 inches annual precipitation, near Craigmont and Nezperce, Idaho.
- PNW523 – Thomas Farm Case Study, 15 inches annual precipitation, near Prescott, Wash.
- PNW524 – Ensley Farm Case Study, 18-20 inches annual precipitation, near Colfax, Wash.
The rest of these full color glossy publications will be published later this year. For more information, contact Roger Veseth at 208-885-6386 or e-mail rveseth@uidaho.edu.
– 30 –