Bulletins and Audio-Visuals on Conservation Farming Techniques

Chapter 10 — Economics and Application, No. 4, Fall 1986

Roger Veseth

A new Pacific Northwest Extension Bulletin (PNW) series for Washington, Oregon and Idaho was initiated in 1986. It is entitled “Crop Management Series for No-Till and Minimum Tillage Farming. ” The series is part of the STEEP Extension effort to make new developments in STEEP conservation farming research more available to Northwest producers.

To increase producer awareness of information in the bulletin series, slide-cassette tape and videocassette series have also been developed which summarize two of the bulletins. They will provide useful audio-visual resources for producer and agricultural-related meetings during the fall and winter seasons. Copies of the slide-cassette tape and videocassette series, as well as the PNW Extension Bulletins, can be obtained through County Extension Agents in Idaho, Washington and Oregon. Following are brief descriptions of the PNW Extension Bulletins and the audio-visuals with the same titles.

Fertilizer Placement

The first bulletin published in the series was PNW 283, Fertilizer Band Location for Cereal Root Access. Recent advances in fertilizer placement technology and equipment design have greatly increased the yield potential for cereal production under no-till and minimum tillage systems. This bulletin highlights an important reason for this development — an improved awareness and understanding of root, leaf and tiller development patterns of cereals. It reviews research illustrating the importance of fertilizer placement below the seeding depth and near the seed row for early access by the seminal (or primary) root system. Proper location of the fertilizer for early access generally provides the greatest cereal yield response and fertilizer use efficiency. The series also reviews other factors, such as soil nutrient test levels, nutrient mobility in the soil, seasonal precipitation level, soil moisture and soil temperature, which may enhance or overshadow the benefits of fertilizer placement.

A 78 slide/22 minute cassette-tape series with the same title as PNW 283 provides a graphic, colorful summary of the bulletin. The series is also available on 72 inch VHS videocassette.

Effective Conservation Farming Systems

PNW 275, Minimum Tillage and No-Till: Effective Conservation Farming Systems, was published in November 1986. Audio-visuals summarizing the bulletin are also available. High rates of topsoil erosion and low efficiencies in soil water storage are serious production problems on much of the conventionally-tilled cropland of the Pacific Northwest. STEEP research has demonstrated that through efficient surface residue management, minimum tillage and no-till effectively reduce soil erosion and conserve available water. These conservation farming systems also have the potential of reducing production costs while maintaining or increasing yields. This bulletin describes the unique combination of climatic, soil and crop management factors involved in the runoff and soil erosion problem in the Northwest. STEEP research projects involving tillage system comparisons for runoff and erosion control are highlighted. Eleven pictures and figures appear in the bulletin.

The slide-cassette series, which summarizes this PNW bulletin, includes 80 slides and a 20 minute cassette tape. The series is also available on 72 inch VHS videocassette. Besides the grower audience, the slide-cassette and videocassette series would also be useful for high school and college classes and of interest to the general public.

Combine Residue Distribution

Uniform Combine Residue Distribution for Successful No-Till and Minimum Tillage Systems, PNW 297, was printed in June 1986. Uniform distribution of straw and chaff from the combine at harvest is advantageous under any tillage system. It is especially important for no-till and minimum tillage seeding of the following crop because more of the crop residue remains on or near the soil surface. The bulletin reviews the many crop production impacts of heavy straw and chaff rows and STEEP research evaluating the effectiveness of combine attachments and modifications for uniform residue distribution. No audiovisual series has yet been developed on this bulletin.

Future Plans

A long list of topics are planned for this PNW “Crop Management Series on No-Till and Minimum Tillage Farming. ” Some of these include: Increasing Soil Water Storage/Yield Potential with Residue Management; Considerations for Successful No-Till and Minimum Tillage Farming; Management Strategies for Soilborne Disease Control in Wheat; Grassy Weed Control Options; and many more, Additional slide-cassette and videocassette series are also planned.