Lind Field Day celebrates 100 years

An estimated 250 attendees gathered at the Lind Dryland Research Station to participate in the 100th Anniversary of the Lind Field Day on June 11. The day’s activities included learning about the history of the event, as well as learning about new crop potential in the dryland area, including triticale and winter peas.

Dean Ron Mittelhammer explained dryland farming began in the 1880s, and each immigrant adult could make claim to 160 acres. Cultivating of crops proved difficult, and drought and dust storms in the 1990s almost proved detrimental to crops in the area. The extreme conditions proved to be the motivation to begin the Lind Dryland Research Station to help farmers determine successful crops to grow in the area.

With the need to research the success of crops growing in an area receiving less than 12 inches of rain a year, Adams County donated 320 acres of land for the beginning of the research station.

When the research station began, Mittelhammer explained wheat varieties in the area only averaged 10 bushels an acre, compared to today’s average of 50 bushels an acre. The station worked on issues such as weeds, disease, erosion and over-tillage.

Today the facility spans over 1,600 acre, allowing for the testing and trials of wheat breeding, residue management and erosion control. Mittelhammer said it is amazing what goes on at the station, and with over 100 varieties of wheat from Washington State University and the advanced planting techniques allowing the crops to be planted deeper than anywhere in the world, the future of the station is bright.

Mittelhammer said with the state beginning to experience drought conditions and a reduced snowpack, farmers statewide can benefit from the research happening at the station.

Retired USDA-ARS representative Bob Papendick also spoke about the dryland wheat farming milestones in the area. He explained how farmers from the Midwest relocated to the area and relied on the plow for farming practices. Domestic water was in short supply in the area, and the farmers began to grow spring wheats until 1890 when winter wheat was incorporated.

Prior to the establishment of the Lind Dryland Research Station in 1915, farmer relied on stationary thrashing. The invention of the steam engine allowed farmers to drill through basalt rock for water, as well as helped with the development of horse drive combines. Soon after the rod weeder would be invented, helping farmers maintain a healthy wheat crop.

The first issue investigated at the station revolved around tillage, Papendick explained. After 5-10 years of research, tillage practices began to resemble what they have become today.

The next step moved to the introduction of gas engines and replaced horse drawn combines. By the 1970s, research at the station focused on seed moisture.

Today, the main research priorities at the station are wheat breeding, winter wheat emergence, alternative crops, weed and disease control, soil fertility, erosion control and residue management.

The day’s research field tours were highlighted by two alternative crop options for farmers, winter triticale and winter pea.

Bill Schillinger presented on winter triticale agronomy. Triticale, a mix between wheat and rye, is a hearty grain able to be used for human and animal consumption.

Schillinger said one of the benefit of triticale is being able to control volunteer growth, and the different varieties have success even being planted early or late, as well as with a different drill.

He continued on to say another large benefit to farmers is triticale leaves behind more residue and tends to produce more grain than wheat. While triticale prices tend to be significantly lower, the large production amount can help balance the cost and profit ratio. Schillinger also said triticale does well from late planting, allowing a fallback for farmers.

Schillinger said another incentive for farmers is crop insurance for the 2016 planting will be available in 2017. He continued on to explain about two varieties, ACS 10402 and ACS 12401, which are available for purchase next year. Both varieties have seen seed increase in the trials and show potential to be a successful crop in the dryland area.

He said triticale has the same fertility as common wheat varieties in the area, and it proves to be more bullet proof in the conditions. Schillinger said the emergence is light, but the crop has multiple benefits to producers.

Overall, Schillinger said triticale produces a competitive yield per acre to wheat. With essentially the same cost, triticale does not have stripe rust issues, proving to be another benefit to farmers. Schillinger said the crop proves to be hearty in cold conditions, and late planted triticale flowers at the same time as early-planted wheat.

Schillinger said farmers need to start focusing more on high residue farming and reduced tillage methods to help reduce erosion.

Stephen Guy led the winter pea variety trial discussion from Washington State University. In the first year of the trial in a dryland area, Guy said the trials have received funding and will continue next year to help focus on the more successful plant varieties for the climate.

Guy said one of the largest benefits of winter peas is the reduction of cost compared to wheat, as farmers do not have to pay a fertilizer bill. Another large benefit lies in the crop rotation cycle in the area, and having the ability to grow peas in a fallow field and have the residue to help with soil erosion.

Currently, there is a limited market of winter peas for feed quality, Guy said, and they are now turning their attention to the food market for human consumption.

Guy said a large benefit for planting peas is the crop is shallow rooted and establishes well because of the large seed. The shallow rooting system helps moisture remain in the soil for a future planting of wheat.

Rebecca McGee from USDA-ARS added adaptation is the main focus of the experiment and using the station to determine what plans work well. She said taller plants are a necessity to the area in order to produce a larger amount of residue.