The inland Pacific Northwest accounts for about 15% of total US wheat production. Costs of fuel, seed, and chemicals have escalated in recent years. Grain growers cannot simply pass these increased costs onto the consumer because of the competition in the world market. With slim profit margins, growers struggle to find new ways to increase revenue or reduce costs. In addition to the economic plight, dryland crop growers in the Pacific Northwest are also challenged by frequent drought, lack of success with alternative crops, and lack of access to new value-added markets.

 

Research conducted by the Land Management and Water Conservation Research Unit is customer based and focuses on cropping practices to improve crop water use, diversification of cropping systems, and advanced technology to improve efficiency of field operations. Research studies are designed with the goal of improving the economic performance of the existing winter wheat-based production system as well as enhancing natural resource quality in the Pacific Northwest. Specifically, our research addresses alternative biofuel crops and forages and precision agriculture in dryland systems.

 

Unit Scientists involved in project

 

Frank Young, Lead Scientist

David Huggins