PULLMAN, Wash. — The new farm bill — the Federal Agricultural Improvement and Reform Act — gives wheat growers greater flexibility in deciding what to plant.
An all-day research field tour in the Ritzville area on June 6 will help growers in summer fallow areas evaluate new planting options, according to Bill Schillinger, WSU agronomist.
“Growers in dry areas want to increase cropping intensity to control erosion and improve soil quality,” Schillinger said. “Researchers are working directly with growers to determine the feasibility of no-tillage spring planting and annual spring cropping.”
The tour, sponsored by the Adams County Wheat Growers Association, will highlight WSU and USDA-Agricultural Research Service plots on the Don Wellsandt, Dale and Gary Galbreath, and Curtis Hennings farms.
Topics on the tour include no-tillage spring planting, spring Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) takeout, annual spring cropping, wheat and barley breeding trials, and disease management.
Credits for pesticide recertification and Certified Crop Adviser continuing education credits have been requested.
Tour buses will depart from the Ritzville city park at 8:30 a.m. and return by 5 p.m. A $10 fee covers the cost of bus transportation, lunch and educational material. Pre-registration by June 3 is required. For more information and to register, call the Washington State University Cooperative Extension office in Ritzville at (509) 659-0090.
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