The latest free guides from Extension scientists support barley growers and forest owners west of the Cascades, and also help Great Plains grain producers manage a pesky weed.
• Fir Engraver Damage in Western Washington (FS357E)
Forest owners beware: the fir engraver beetle can be a serious pest. This small insect bores below the bark of conifers and feeds on sugar-rich vascular tissue, causing severe damage to the cambium, the tree’s living tissue responsible for growth. This publication offers identification and management strategies to help keep forests healthy; written by Patrick Shults, Southwest Washington Extension Forester.
• Growing Winter Malting Barley West of the Cascades (FS356E)
Read an overview of production of malting barley, a crop of growing importance for farmers west of the Cascade mountains. It serves the craft brewing and distilling markets and is a rotation crop for potatoes and vegetable or grass seed. Authors hail from WSU/WSU Extension, Oregon State University, Hartwick College Center for Craft Food and Beverage, and Great Western Malting, and include Stephen Bramwell, Brook Brouwer, Chris Mundt, Andrew Hulting, Patrick Hayes, Kevin Murphy, Brigid Meints, Aaron MacLeod, Daniela Carrijo, Clinton Waite, Scott Fisk, and Betsy Verhoeven.
• Jointed Goatgrass Best Management Practices – Southern Great Plains (EM011E)
Jointed Goatgrass is an invasive weed closely related to wheat, and can have a huge negative impact on grain growers’ profitability. This publication details the best management practices in a multi-practice approach, specific to the Southern Great Plains region of the U.S.; authored by Doug Schmale, Misha Manucheheri, Tom Peeper, Vipan Kumar, and Phil Stahlman.
View the latest WSU Extension publications here.