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Northwest Directory of Technology Resources for Direct Seed Cropping Systems

Pacific Northwest Conservation Tillage Handbook Series No. 10
Chapter 10 – Economics and Application of New Technology, May 1999

Version 2, May 1999

Welcome to Version 2 of this Northwest Directory. Version 1 was published May 1997 and included 28 excellent resources including publications, videos, newsletters and Internet home pages. Version 2 does not repeat the earlier resources, so be sure to check out Version 1 if you have not seen it (see information below). These Directories have been compiled by Roger Veseth, WSU/UI Extension Conservation Tillage Specialist. They are only limited collections of new technology resources available from the Northwest, plus some resources from other areas that potentially may be useful in this region. The Directories have been developed to provide growers and Ag support personnel better access to technology resources that may assist them in the development and adaptation of direct seed cropping systems for their local production conditions. It not an endorsement of all the resources listed, nor their content.

Technology Application – Note that direct seed cropping systems and equipment from one region may or may not be directly applicable to other areas. Differences in annual rainfall distribution (summer versus winter), precipitation amounts, steepness of field slopes, crop residue levels, growing degree days, soil textures, and many other factors can affect the application of “outside” technology. Some principles of management technologies for conservation tillage may apply almost universally, while others may not. The Northwest is also extremely variable locally and across the region with site-specific soil, climatic and production conditions. Consider on-farm testing of new technologies on a small scale before adopting them on the whole farm.

Proceedings and Videos – 1998 Northwest Direct Seed Intensive Cropping Conference

Nearly 900 Northwest growers and Ag advisers attended the first Northwest Direct Seed Intensive Cropping Conference on January 7-8, 1998 in Pasco, WA. The Conference featured 48 speakers, including 16 grower from across the Northwest, Canada and Australia. It was organized as a service to Northwest growers by the PNW STEEP III (Solutions To Environmental and Economic Problems) program, a cooperative research and educational effort on conservation tillage systems through the University of Idaho, Oregon State University; Washington State University and the USDA-Agricultural Research Service. The Conference was co-sponsored by 14 Ag support companies. It also included 11 PNW and state grower associations and Ag support groups as Conference Cooperators.

The 48 Conference speakers were organized into 7 in-depth Focus Sessions from 2 to 4 hours in length. These include:

  1. International and National Trends and Experience with Direct Seeding to Improve Profitability, Global Competitiveness and Resource Protection
  2. Alternate Crops for Direct Seeding Systems in the Dryland Inland Northwest
  3. Advances in Direct Seed Intensive Cropping Systems in the Inland Northwest — Low and Intermediate Rainfall Zones
  4. Advances in Direct Seed Intensive Cropping Systems in the Inland Northwest — Higher Rainfall/Annual Cropping Regions
  5. New Industry Developments in Direct Seeding Equipment (12 drill companies)
  6. Direct Seeding Impacts on Soil Quality and Production Potential
  7. Grower Drill Modification/Fabrication for Direct Seeding Under Northwest Conditions

Proceedings and Videos – 1999 Northwest Direct
Seed Cropping Systems Conference

Over 920 growers and Ag support personnel attended this January 5-7, 1999 Conference and Trade Show in Spokane, WA. It was organized as a service to growers by the Pacific Northwest STEEP III program and co-sponsored by 12 Ag support companies, in cooperation with 11 PNW grower organizations, conservation district associations and other Ag support groups and agencies. The Conference featured 37 speakers, including 14 researchers, 7 industry representatives and 16 growers from across the Pacific Northwest, Northern Great Plains, Canada, Argentina, and Brazil.

There were 7 in-depth Focus Sessions on a variety of topics including:

  1. International and National Experiences with Direct Seed Cropping Systems
  2. Agronomics and Economics of Alternate Crops and Rotations for Direct Seeding
  3. Managing to Optimize Soil Quality Benefits from Direct Seed Cropping Systems
  4. Northwest Grower Experiences with Cropping Systems and Equipment for Direct Seeding
  5. Making Sense of the Row Spacing Debate
  6. Direct Seed Grain Legume — Management Systems for Expanding Northwest Production Opportunities
  7. Economics and Strategies for the Transition to Direct Seed Cropping Systems

1998 Pacific Northwest STEEP III Annual Research Report on Conservation Tillage Systems

The 116-page 1998 PNW STEEP III Annual Research Report provides summaries of research progress on 14 STEEP III projects. The STEEP III (Solutions To Environmental and Economic Problems) research and education program began in 1996, following the 5-year STEEP II program from 1991-1995 and the original STEEP program from 1976 to 1990. It is a collaborative program involving over 30 scientists with University of Idaho, Oregon State University, Washington State University, and USDA – Agricultural Research Service, in cooperation with Idaho, Oregon and Washington grain producer and conservation district associations.

The Report provides a brief overview of STEEP III funding, objectives and coordinating committees, highlights of earlier STEEP and STEEP II program accomplishments (1976-1995), and 1998 progress reports on the STEEP III project. Approximately $1.8 million has been allocated to fund these STEEP III research and technology transfer projects since the program began in 1996.

The following is a listing of the STEEP III project titles and first-listed investigators from the progress reports:

  • Development of conservation farming systems for protecting soil and water quality in downy brome infested dryland farming systems — Dan Ball, OSU, Pendleton, OR
  • Impact of long-term no till on soil physical, chemical, and microbial properties — David Bezdicek, WSU, Pullman, WA
  • Developing optimal seeding rates and planting practices to enhance yellow mustard production with low chemical inputs in conservation farming systems — Jack Brown, UI, Moscow, ID
  • Modified wheat-potato rotations to reduce wind erosion — Charlotte Eberlein, UI, Twin Falls, ID
  • Residue production and retention in small grain cereal and legume rotations with different tillage — Stephen Guy, UI, Moscow, ID, and Tim Fiez, WSU, Pullman, WA
  • Rotation designs for direct seed cropping systems — Dave Huggins, USDA-ARS, Pullman, WA
  • On-farm evaluation of Cephalosporium stripe severity and yield for wheat cultivars and cultivar mixtures grown in conservation tillage systems — Chris Mundt, OSU, Corvallis, OR
  • Modern applications of historic crop rotation data — William Payne, OSU, Pendleton, OR
  • Alternative crop rotations using no-till in low-rainfall dryland areas — William Schillinger, WSU, Ritzville, WA
  • Disease management for annual crops in low-rainfall regions — Richard Smiley, OSU, Pendleton, OR
  • Assessing the economic viability of no-till and related conservation systems for various agro-climatic zones in the Pacific Northwest — Doug Young, WSU, Pullman, WA
  • Integrated conservation spring cropping systems for the arid and semiarid wheat-fallow region of the PNW — Frank Young, USDA-ARS, Pullman, WA
  • PNW STEEP III integrated cropping systems technology transfer — Roger Veseth, WSU/UI, Moscow, ID
  • Developing flex cropping options for wheat-fallow rotations — Don Wysocki, OSU, Pendleton, OR

1997 Interim Report — Northwest Columbia Plateau Wind Erosion/ Air Quality Project

Approximately 6.8 million acres of cropland in Washington, Oregon and Idaho are susceptible to wind erosion. It can be a serious problem under the winter wheat-fallow system in the 6- to 15-inch precipitation zone, as well as under irrigated crop production. In addition to the loss of soil productivity, growers have also sustained severe crop damage and replanting expenses, along with associated reduced yield potentials. Dust storms from agricultural areas have raised public concern about air quality, traffic hazards and other environmental and economic impacts.

The Northwest Columbia Plateau Wind Erosion/PM-10 Project, which began in 1993, is a comprehensive research and educational program. It involves USDA Cooperative Research, Extension and Education Service (CSREES), USDA-Agricultural Research Service (ARS), EPA, WA State DOE, and several universities in the Northwest. Technical research for this project is being conducted by scientists from the USDA-ARS, Washington State University, the University of Idaho, and the University of Washington. Project collaborators include researchers from states in the West, growers and grower organizations, the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, Conservation Districts and the Ag service industry.

The 1997 Interim Report focuses on best management practices for farming with the wind. The 48-page color report begins with an overview of the principles of wind erosion and its control. Recent research on best management practices for dryland and irrigated farms is reviewed, as well as expected outcomes from using the best management practices.

Copies of the 1995 and 1996 Interim Reports are also available. In addition to research on control practices, these reports summarize research on the relationships of wind erosion soil loss to surface cover and roughness. These relationships for the basis for developing control practices making use of stubble from previous crops, green cover from growing plants and certain types of tillage to create and retain surface roughness. The reports also include economic evaluations of management options, dust emissions and transport models, studies of historical rates of dust deposition in the region, educational efforts and other project areas.

Growers are encouraged to learn more about the Project and actively participate in developing practical, economical solutions to the problem. Most growers have always strived to be good stewards of the land, minimizing erosion and maintaining soil productivity. They have much to gain from this research effort on developing more efficient and profitably management technologies that minimize wind erosion.

Farming with the Wind – 1998 Northwest Wind Erosion BMP Manual

Controlling cropland wind erosion and blowing dust has been an agricultural issue on the Northwest Columbia Plateau ever since farming began in the region some 120 years ago. Farmers and researchers have continually sought better ways to reduce wind erosion. Early on, the main concern with wind erosion was loss of topsoil and the subsequent decline in soil quality and productivity. Today, however, farmers are also facing increasing public pressure to reduce wind erosion because of its adverse effects on air quality in downwind urban areas.

The “Columbia Plateau Wind Erosion Air Quality Project” was initiated in 1993 to identify the factors involved in the region’s cropland wind erosion and air quality problems, and develop effective control management strategies. It is a large, interagency and interdisciplinary research and educational program involving a number state and federal agencies, NW land grant universities, grower organizations, conservation districts and the Ag industry.

“Farming with the Wind — Best Management Practices for Controlling Wind Erosion and Air Quality on Columbia Plateau Cropland,” is a 72-page color Handbook that was published November 1998 as Washington State University Cooperative Extension bulletin MISC0208. It was developed under the Columbia Plateau Project and represents the first step in helping growers reduce cropland wind erosion to preserve soil productivity and address air quality impacts from windblown dust.

The Handbook was prepared by 20 contributing authors and reviewers, with Dr. Robert Papendick, retired USDA-ARS Soil Scientist serving as lead author and editor. Funding for the Handbook was provided by WSU Cooperative Extension, WA Dept. of Ecology, Washington Wheat Commission, USDA-Agricultural Research Service, USDA-Cooperative States Research, Extension and Education Service, and US Environmental Protection Agency.

The Handbook contains 9 chapters: 1) Why the Need for This Handbook; 2) Some Facts about Wind Erosion and Its Control; 3) Profile of the Columbia Plateau; 4) Managing Soil Cover and Roughness; 5) Best Management Practices for Dryland Farms; 6) Best Management Practices for Irrigated Farms; 7) Best Management Practices for Both Dryland and Irrigated Farms; 8) Economic Considerations in Wind Erosion Control; and 9) Putting it Together: Expecting Outcomes from Using Best Management Practices.

1998 Book — Conservation Farming in the United States

Conservation Farming in the United States: Methods and Accomplishments of the STEEP Program , published by CRC Press (ISBN: 0-8493-1185-3 ) in December 1998, explains the success of the multidisciplinary STEEP (Solutions To Environmental and Economic Problems) conservation farming research and educational project. The STEEP program, currently in its third decade, focusing on the Inland Northwest region of Idaho, Oregon and Washington.

The 256-page book reviews the history and development the STEEP program and its potential to serve as a model for addressing regional environmental and economic problems. It also provides substantive findings in conservation farming systems research.

Book Chapters include:

  • History of Conservation Research in the Pacific Northwest – E.L. Michalson
  • Model for Solving Conservation and Environmental Problems – R.I Papendick and E.L. Michalson
  • Measuring and Modeling Erosion and Erosion Damages – D.K. McCool and A.J. Busacca
  • Residue Management Issues for Conservation Tillage Systems – L.F. Elliot, D.E. Stott, C.L. Douglas, R.I. Papendick, G.S Campbell, and H. Collins
  • Conservation Cropping Systems and Their Management – C.L. Douglas, P.M Chevalier, B. Klepper, A.G. Ogg, Jr., and P.E Rasmusssen
  • Integrated Pest Management for Conservation Systems – A.G. Ogg, Jr., R. W. Smiley, K.S. Pike, J.P McCaffrey, D.C Thill, and S.S. Quisenberry
  • Developments in Equipment for Conservation Farming – C.L. Peterson
  • A Systems Approach to Conservation Farming – D.L. Young, F. Young, J. Hammel, and R.J. Veseth
  • Conservation Policy Issues – D.J. Walker and D.L. Young
  • Transferring Conservation Farming Technologies to Producers – R.J. Veseth and D.J. Wysocki

MoreCrop Disease Management Computer Decision Guide

MoreCrop, a computer decision-support tool designed to help Northwest wheat growers predict and manage wheat diseases, is now free and has been moved to the Internet. The software program was initially developed in 1993 by Roland Line, USDA-ARS plant pathologist at Pullman, WA and Ramon Cu, a visiting scientist with USDA-ARS.

MoreCrop is used to predict wheat diseases and decide which disease control options to implement. It takes into account up-to-date information related to wheat cultivars and their characteristics, farm location and agronomic zone, fungicide technical information, crop managerial options, history of the field, weather conditions and other topics relevant to wheat production in the Pacific Northwest. It is also an excellent educational tool for understanding the epidemiology and control of wheat diseases. Growers can use the program to build crop management scenarios, test customized disease control programs and solve real-time problems.

Originally distributed on diskettes through WSU Cooperative Extension, the Internet version includes more information and choices, including more crop management options. The Internet version is also continually updated with new information as it becomes available, such as changes in pesticide registrations, new wheat classes, and varieties, and their responses to diseases and management options. The system now provides information on 30 diseases instead of the 16 on the diskette version. High resolution pictures also help viewers diagnose diseases.

MoreCrop’s Internet version 2 requires a PC with a Pentium microprocessor or equivalent, 16 MB or more RAM, a video card, a monitor capable of displaying true color, Microsoft Windows 95 or later, and a hard disk with at least 18 MB free space to store the MoreCrop files. MoreCrop can be directly downloaded from the Internet site to your PC.

New Zero Tillage Resources from Manitoba-North Dakota

Zero Tillage Farmers Assoc.

The Manitoba-North Dakota Zero Tillage Farmers Association has a long and impressive history. It was officially organized in 1982 after years of conferences and meeting through the 1970’s and early 1980’s. The farmer-run association has been a leader in facilitating the develop and promotion of no-till direct seeding systems that they have termed “zero tillage.” The group has developed some outstanding publications, workshops, videos and member newsletters

Internet Home Page / Publications – The Association’s home page provides access to their wealth of information. Some examples inclued includes three of their excellent publications on zero tillage systems, at least four Proceedings from their annual Zero Tillage Workshops, chat page, coming events and a long list of other Internet resource sites. The publications include:

Zero Tillage Production Manual – 42-page color publication released in 1991. Section topics include zero tillage advantages, no-till and soil moisture, residue management, rotations, seeding, talking from experience, fertilizer use, weed control, and economics.

Zero Tillage – Advancing the Art – 40-page color publication completed in 1997. Chapters include: sustainability, the no-till soil, economics, rotations, seed and fertilizer, weeds, diseases, forages and information sources.

Integrated Insect Management in Zero Till Fields – 106-page publication that provides detailed discussions of the identification and management of 11 insect pest on zero till fields.

Dakota Lakes Research Farm Internet Home Page and Publications

The Dakota Lakes Research Farm is operated by South Dakota State University, but the land and other fixed facilities are owned by a non-profit corporation established by area farmers. The primary focus of the Research Farm is the development of integrated cropping systems for no-till farming under diverse crop rotations. The farm is near Pierre, South Dakota in an area that has been traditionally farmed with the wheat-fallow rotation under conventional tillage.

1999 Direct Seeding Manual –

A Farming System for the New Millennium

The new “Direct Seeding Manual – A Farming System for the New Millennium” will be available in June 1999. It has been jointly developed by the Prairie Agricultural Machinery Institute (PAMI), with test stations in Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan, and the Saskatchewan Soil Conservation Association. The Manual is compiled into seven chapters: rotations, residue management, seeding and fertilizing, weeds, getting started, economics and machinery suppliers.

Specialized Crop Production Program – Canada / Saskatchewan

Alternative crops and more diverse crop rotations can increase the success of direct seed cropping systems. The Specialized Crop Production Program is sponsored by the Canada-Saskatchewan Agri-Food Innovation Fund to increase the availability and production of specialized crops in the region. It is organized along the concept of a “Hub and Spoke Program.” The “Hub” research program objective is to develop adapted, high quality cultivars and disease control technology for specific specialized crop production constraints. The “Spoke” program objective is to establish regional applied research programs to find solutions to agronomic and crop protection problems and demonstrate dryland and irrigated specialized crop production technologies to producers.

Conservation Tillage News – Alberta Soil Conservation Tillage Society

The Alberta Soil Conservation Tillage Society has been a grower-run organization for 21 years and has a wealth of experience and information to offer. The Society publishes the Conservation Tillage News, an in-depth magazine on new technologies and growers experiences with direct seed systems.

Alberta Reduced Tillage Initiative – Direct Seeding Publication Resources

The Alberta Reduced Tillage Initiative (ARTI) is a partnership for conservation, production and profit in Alberta, Canada.

No-Till Farmer Newsletter and National No-Tillage Conference Proceedings

The No-Till Farmer newsletter is a no-till “readers digest,” providing snapshots of new no-till development in research, industry and grower experiences, as well as more in-depth articles.