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Barley, Beans Bales
Supplement to the Powell Tribune ■ Thursday, August 11, 2016
Above, Eric Schaefer cuts a barley field belonging to Dwight Gilbert Saturday evening on Heart Mountain. Tribune photo by Carla Wensky
BUMPER CROP
Glenn Musser watches as Heart Mountain area barley farmer Tak Ogawa unloads his recently harvested barley on Aug. 2. Tribune photo by Matt Naber
BARLEY YIELDS LOOKING GOOD ACROSS THE BIG HORN BASIN BY MATT NABER Tribune Managing Editor
Y Several varieties of barley trials are underway at the University of Wyoming Extenstion’s research farm north of Powell. Tribune photo by Ilene Olson
WHAT’S INSIDE:
ields and qualities are looking good and harvesting is ahead of schedule across the Big Horn Basin for this year’s barley harvest. The Briess Malt & Ingredients Co. facility near Ralston was about seven to 10 days ahead of schedule as of Tuesday, according to Wyoming Barley Operations’ regional manager Rick Redd. Instead of finishing up around Labor Day like usual, this year’s harvest will be done around the middle of August. He attributed it to “crazy weather.” “Well, it was strange — we had
ference.” high heat in FebBarley fields have ruary and then ‘The cool weather and been averaging beMarch and April rain came at the right tween 110-130 bushels were cold and then it rained — it time and the growers per acre, Redd said. Powell area farmwas really erratkept it wet when it er Paul Faxon said ic, just highs and was really hot in June.’ he started harvesting lows way above around the beginning normal,” Redd Rick Redd of August and should said, adding that Wyoming Barley Operations’ be done in a couple of “it worked out regional manager weeks. this year.” “So far so good — “The cool weather and rain came at the right crop looks pretty good, barring any time and the growers kept it wet rain setbacks or hail, and it should go when it was really hot in June,” Redd said. “They kept the irrigated See Barley harvest, Page 4 crops wet and that made a big dif-
Book chronicles Wyoming agriculture
Looking into lupins
Different approaches for better soil health
Page 3
Page 5
Page 9
PAGE 2 • POWELL TRIBUNE THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2016
BARLEY, BEANS & BALES
HELI-CROPTER
Some Powell area farmers are taking a new approach to crop dusting by using a helicopter. Tony Herby of Sky Aviation in Worland was crop dusting July 19 in the vicinity of Road 10. Tribune photo by Ilene Olson
USDA surveys small grain growers During the first two weeks of September, growers of small grains around the country will receive survey forms from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. The agency is taking a comprehensive look into the 2016 production and supply of small grains, which include wheat, oats, barley and rye. “The small grains industry is a big player in agriculture across our region and it is
crucial for us to have accurate data about this key sector of the economy,” said Bill Meyer, the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service’s Mountain Region director. The USDA will contact producers to accurately measure 2016 acreage, yield and production for small grains. Data collected from this survey will also help set small grain acreage and production estimates at the county level, Meyer said. As an alternative to mailing
the survey back and to help save both time and money, growers will have the option to respond to the survey online. Survey results will be published in several reports, including the annual Small Grains Summary and the quarterly Grain Stocks report, both to be released Sept. 30. Reports are available at www.nass. usda.gov. For more information, call the Mountain Regional Field office at 800-392-3202.
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2016 POWELL TRIBUNE • PAGE 3
BARLEY, BEANS & BALES
‘125 Years of the Wyoming Agricultural Experiment Station’
Book chronicles history of Wyoming agricultural research more relationships between Wyoming and the global agriculture community, Kruger said. Decades later, Hilston’s efforts are still timely. The n 1891, University of Wyoming scientists had Big Horn Basin is benefitting from international a plan so agricultural producers’ only option scientist Gustavo Sbatellas’ knowledge in irrigawas not guessing what crops could grow in tion and bean production. (See related story on the Cowboy State, said David Delbert Kruger, an Page 5.) agricultural liaison librarian at the University of The one certainty in agribusiness is change. Wyoming-Laramie. “Agriculture is not static,” Kruger said. Kruger’s 2016 book, “125 Years of the Wyoming “These external forces are going to continue to Agricultural Experiment Station 1891-2016,” trac- affect that.” es the history of the stations across the state. Examples of external forces are weather, Bret Hess, the experiment station’s 17th direc- politics and economics, he said. tor, asked him to write the book, Kruger said. Technology is a tool that can be harnessed, Hess is temporarily directing the Powell Re- such as computers controlling water volume in search and Extension Center. irrigation systems, Kruger said. It is essential for the experiment station scientists to communicate and collaborate with producers, Kruger said. “But the research has to be relative and it still has to be disseminated,” he said. Kruger said he sees researchers gaining knowledge from experimentation as conduits to the agriculture industry. This year is the 76th anniversary of the University of Wyoming’s Powell Research and Extension Center. “We aren’t coming up with questions; we are trying to find the answers,” said John Tanaka, associate director of the agriculture experiment stations at the UW Extension Field Day in Powell. “It is always specific to the area. Some of it is not new research, but is applied differently in different places. It is those local questions the research centers can try to answer, as well as finding new methods.” Kruger may be a librarian, but he also has his hand in ranching. Kruger runs 16 cattle on his 35-acre place west of Laramie, he said. For well over a century, experiment stations kept producers’ interests at heart, Kruger said. “... and a legacy Cover photo cou rtesy B.C. Buffu m Papers, Am of research and service worth erican Heritage Center, Universi ty of Wyoming Kruger said he encelebrating not just in 2016, but joyed visiting the four UW Extension research cenin the many years ahead.” ters around the state while conducting research. The Wyoming spirit emphasizes helping oth“It was a lot of fun,” he said. ers, Kruger said. In all those years of experimentation, the sta“The good things that can happen when they tions’ scientists did not realize they were making help each other,” he said. history — but they were, Kruger said. From Hess to the first director, John “Dice” Bert C. Buffum, 1903-07 director, photographed McLaren, to Jay R. Partridge (1952-88), who Guy Holt on the infamous bronc, Steamboat, at was well known at the Powell station, the exthe Laramie County Fairgrounds in 1903. The sil- periment stations have been a legacy of UW houetted inspiration has since become the iconic researchers working not for personal gain or emblem for the Cowboy State, Kruger said. “The fame, but to support Wyoming’s farmers and ‘Steamboat’ image Buffum captured in 1903 re- ranchers, Kruger said. mains one of the most visible aspects of his state“People that deserve to have their history told wide legacy today, emblazoned on everything from have their history told now,” he said. license plates to the helmets of the Wyoming CowHess helped Kruger comprehend the big picboys football team,” he wrote. ture of Wyoming agriculture, Kruger said. Buffum was ahead of his time utilizing technol“It was very fulfilling to work on this,” Kruger ogy, too. said. For evening lectures, he used stereopticon proThe book can be ordered via UW Publications jections of his ag photos, Kruger said. An early 20th at CESpubs@uwyo.edu or call 307-766-2115, century equivalent of PowerPoint. Kruger said. Directors often worked for free. The day before This is Kruger’s second book. Prior to “125 he died in 1944, Buffum had driven to a sheep years,” he was completing another book, “JC ranch in the Emblem area to lend a hand, Kruger Penney: the Man, the Store, and American Agrisaid. culture,” that will be released by the University Director Neal Hilston (1958-79) advocated of Oklahoma Press this fall.
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PAGE 4 • POWELL TRIBUNE THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2016
BARLEY, BEANS & BALES
Heart Mountain area barley farmer Tak Ogawa’s harvest was well underway on Aug. 2. Ogawa and many other barley farmers in the Big Horn Basin are running ahead of schedule, some by as much as two weeks. Tribune photo by Matt Naber
Barley harvest: Demand for barley continues to grow, has a 10 percent increase this year Continued from Page 1 uneventful,” Faxon said. He said his fields for Coors on Lane 6 north of Powell are looking like they are between 130-140 bushels per acre. “I think it’s going to be a bumper crop this year, everyone is looking good,” Faxon said. Most of Faxon’s barley is going straight to Briess, and some will be stored until this winter. “It would be nice if they took it all
— I can drink more if need be,” Faxon said. Demand for barley is still growing, but not as rapidly as it was a year ago, Redd said. Last year, craft brewing was growing by about 18 percent and now it’s about 10 percent. “It is still positive, that is the main thing,” Redd said. There are about 275 barley growers working with Briess this year, which is about average, Redd said. Some of Faxon’s other fields have
lower yields, around 105 bushels per acre, so that will bring his average down, he said. Faxon said he didn’t seed his fields as heavily as he should have, which could be why the yields turned out higher. “I was nervous because it seemed to head out better with more room to grow — I like to claim that, but I’m sure it was the weather and the rain,” Faxon said. “It is an outstanding crop this year.”
Powell area farmer Bill Cox estimated he was about three-quarters of the way done harvesting his 800 acres of barley between Powell and Ralston on Tuesday. He planted his fields around the middle of March and the weather was cooperative from start to finish, he said. “We started harvesting toward the end of July, and we were a little earlier combining it,” Cox said. His fields are running at about 110125 bushels per acre with “excellent”
LAST SEASON’S LEFTOVERS UW RESEARCHERS LOOK INTO THE EFFECTS OF LIMITED IRRIGATION ON HERBICIDE EFFICACY AND CARRY-OVER provided 100 percent of their water needs and what would happen when water is only at 85 s the world’s population percent and 70 percent. grows, so does the de“They need moisture to get mand for food and that activated and it plays a key role means crop production needs to in the breakdown of the herbiincrease — but, resources are cide in the soil along with the limited and water is at the top microbes, which relates to soil of the list of finite resources for moisture,” Sbatella said. farmers. Through this, they are tryWater does more than help ing to find out if herbicides are plants grow, it also plays a role sticking around longer than they in how herbicides function. need to, he said. Similar to rinsing off your plate “People think that information after supper, rain and irrigation is on the herbicide label, but it rinse the herbicides off over doesn’t say how long it will have time — leaving a clean plate for a carry-over for,” Sbatella said. the next crop. The project began in the But, what happens when spring of 2015 when the crew it doesn’t rain planted corn enough to meet and dry beans that need? Or and then applied ‘People think that when irrigation pre-emergent water isn’t fully herbicides in information is on available? plots that are the herbicide label, 110 by 132 feet. This is called but it doesn’t say herbicide carrySo far, the over, which is how long it will have crop yields have when the prebeen affected by a carry-over for.’ vious harvest’s irrigation levels herbicide is as expected: Gustavo Sbatella still present in • 100 percent UW assistant professor the field when irrigation — 109 the next crop is bushels per acre planted. Decreased soil mois- for corn and 1,980 pounds per ture can extend herbicide carry- acre for dry beans over and that could be a risk for • 85 percent irrigation — 74 the next season’s crop. bushels per acre for corn and “So one of the things we are 1,097 pounds per acre for dry working on is in the future we beans are going to have less water • 70 percent irrigation — 41 for farming and we can discuss bushels per acre for corn and what the reason is for that — 464 pounds per acre for dry some say global warming — but beans one thing I can tell you is human The soil was tested in spring development,” said UW assis- 2016 to see how much herbicide tant professor of irrigated crop was carried over and now those and weed management Gustavo plots have been planted with Sbatella. “You will have towns different crops — sugar beets, get bigger and people who live dry beans, corn and sunflowers. there are going to need more wa- Each of these crops are being ter and if the amount of water is grown under the same irrigation the same, the farmers will have levels as they were in 2015. to share the water with more Up next, the crop yields will people.” be determined at the end of this With that in mind, Sbatella growing season to determine the and associate professor Andrew effects of potential herbicide Kniss at the Powell Research carry-over on crop yields. and Extension Center are lookThe ultimate goal is to be able ing into what would happen to to predict crop injury due to hercrops and their herbicides when bicide carry-over.
BY MATT NABER Tribune Managing Editor
Wishing all the farmers a safe and successful harvest!
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quality, he said. “So far, it (unloading) has been real nice, we ran right through Briess,” Cox said. Harvesting started earlier this year and the first truck arrived at Briess on July 18, usually the first truck arrives July 25, Redd said. This means deliveries are more spread out. “We haven’t had very long lines, so that is nice,” Redd said. “We got a good crew here and they are working hard to keep the trucks moving.”
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BARLEY, BEANS & BALES
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LOOKING into LUPINS RESEARCHERS AND FARMERS TRY A NEW LEGUME AS A POSSIBLE ROTATION CROP IN THE BIG HORN BASIN BY MATT NABER Tribune Managing Editor
T
he Big Horn Basin is big on beans, and there are a lot of varieties to choose from. Some bean types have excellent yields in the region’s climate and unique soil conditions, while others don’t fare so well. Figuring out what works and doesn’t work in relation to what is selling well is a trick of the trade that every grower has a different approach toward, and something new is popping up in a few local fields — sweet white lupins. Wyoming Bean Commission Chairman Beau Fulton and Allied Seed field representative Gary White are both raising this legume that’s a fairly common pickled bar snack in the Mediterranean and Latin America. Another field of lupins is growing at the University of Wyoming’s Powell Research and Extension Center north of town with pre- and post-emergent sprays applied to find out what works best, said UW research associate Andi Pierson. The fields were planted around April 12 and the harvest date is tentatively set for sometime around Sept. 10, White said. “They look real good right now, and I am hoping the harvest goes well, but we don’t know yet,” Fulton said. “They keep looking good every time we irrigate.” UW assistant professor of irrigated crop and weed management, Gustavo Sbatella, is also working on weed control trials for
lupins to get more accurate yield results, Fulton said. “It is strictly experimental — we are just hoping they will work here,” Fulton said. A similar trial was conducted about 30 years ago with the University of Wyoming and Montana State with the goal of growing lupins as a high-protein grain, White said. Allied Seed is also in on the experimental crop to go along with alfalfa seeds,
I
t takes a team effort to improve bean production in Wyoming, so the newly formed Wyoming Bean Commission and the University of Wyoming Extension research farms are teaming up on finding the best beans for the Cowboy State. Earlier this year, the Bean Commission approved funding for the following research projects: • Cultural methods of improving direct harvest efficiency in dry edible beans. • Late season weed control in dry beans. • Screening dry bean geno-
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A team effort BY MATT NABER Tribune Managing Editor
White said. How lupins would rotate into the Basin’s usual crops depends on their timing for harvest and what herbicides and pesticides are available for seed, Fulton said. Farmers looking into growing lupins will want to take into consideration what herbicides and pesticides need to be applied to a lupin field and what crops are permissable following those applications. “It shouldn’t be an issue,” Fulton said. “It all depends on what we do for weed control. Right now they look OK and some spots are better than others, but that could be in that piece of ground.”
types for drought tolerance in Wyoming. • Dry bean soil borne disease management with in-furrow fungicides. These were requested as part of a specialty crop grant with the Wyoming Department of Agriculture that has matching funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Essentially, they are research grants aiming to improve bean farming in Wyoming. Some of these trials are in the UW Extension research fields north of Powell and others are located near Lingle, said USDA technical services manager Hank Uhden, ex-officio member of the Bean Commission. The Bean Commission also
WYOMING COOPERATIVE DRY BEAN RESEARCH BRINGS TOGETHER RESEARCHERS ACROSS THE REGION
approved funding a survey for Wyoming’s dry bean growers to find out what other issues are and what they see as goals and priorities for the newly formed commission. “It will be interesting to see the results and how they are coming along,” said Bean Commission Chairman Beau Fulton, estimating the results should be in next year and that will help the commission know what to fund next. On top of all of this, the commission is looking into joining forces with Colorado and Idaho to form a multi-state Rocky Mountains High Plains Beans Consortium. So far, steps are being taken to formalize the agreements so that a slow-darkening
bean can be created for this climate. In working with the consortium, there is a potential for two lines of beans that are slow darkening, which means a longer shelf life, Uhden said. “That is where the cutting edge is,” said Wyoming Seed Certification Manager Mike Moore. Just like how Wyoming’s climate and soil varies, so do the interests held by each member of the Bean Commission. Fulton said he is more focused on weed control while commissioners from southeastern Wyoming are more interested in direct harvest.
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PAGE 6 • POWELL TRIBUNE THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2016
BARLEY, BEANS & BALES
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C O V E R
CROPS THE PROS AND CONS
ere in the Western states, agriculture producers are facing increased extreme weather events and variable weather patterns. Fortunately, the Great Plains region is not a stranger to these events. However, these events can still be a problem when managing agricultural land. Several agricultural management practices have been identified to buffer the effects of variable weather or extreme weather events, one in particular is cover crops.
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CONCLUSION Cover crops can be a great management practice, however they are not for everyone or every operation. Prior to planting, make sure to consider the objective of the cover crop, the crop(s) that will best achieve the objective, the pros and cons to the cover crop, and weigh the economic risks and benefits. Cover crops are not a cookie cutter management practice and should be designed to the individual operation and objectives. This is one management practice that is worth doing a lot of homework on prior to implementing.
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PROS TO COVER CROPS The first and basic benefit to cover crops is holding the topsoil in place between main crops. After reducing or eliminating the amount of soil erosion that occurs from wind and water, the next benefit a cover crop can provide is increasing organic matter. As a general rule of thumb, grasses are more likely to increase soil organic matter than legumes or brassicas. With COVER CROPS that being said, plant Cover crops are a species that create management practice large amounts of that are utilized to biomass (dry weight support and improve per acre) can consoil quality, which is tribute to increasgenerally measured ing organic matter. through the amount Hence, low growing of organic matter JEREMIAH cover crops typipresent in the soil. VARDIMAN cally do not produce Cover crops were Root of it all enough biomass to traditionally planted increase soil organic for the sole purpose matter. of preventing soil Besides increasing soil erosion through the use of livorganic matter, legumes are ing vegetation and living roots. planted in cover crops for their They are now being planted for ability to fixate nitrogen. For various benefits such as imthis to occur, legumes need to proving the soil’s physical and biological properties, increasing be inoculated at planting with a rhizobial bacteria, which soil fertility, increasing water actually does the fixation of infiltration, increasing organic nitrogen. The rhizobial bacteria matter and more. creates nodules on the roots of Cover crops can be a simple the legume where the bacteria single species crop or a mix lives in a symbiotic relationship species crop. The typical plants with the plant. used in cover crops are leOther benefits that are atgumes, grasses and brassicas, tributed to cover crops would be with each species contributing increasing or attracting certain specific benefits to the cover insect populations, protecting crop. and reducing soil compaction, As an example, legumes are suppress weed germination used for increasing nitrogen in and growth, improving soil mithe soil. Grasses are good for croorganism populations, and soil erosion and brassicas are providing habitat/food sources utilized for breaking through for birds, mammals, insects and compaction layers. For this other arthropods. Depending reason the species planted in a on the specific operation, cover cover crop needs to be designed crops can also provide more forfor the specific management age for grazing livestock either objective. If it is not done corstanding or baled. rectly, there will be no benefit Cover crops can also accumuseen or negative impacts can be late snow within their standing seen in the cropping system. biomass, which can retain moisThe first driving factor to ture in the field for the spring picking a cover crop is the thaw. purpose or objective of that cover crop. Once the purpose is CONS TO COVER CROPS decided, then other influencing Unfortunately, cover crops factors need to be considered to are not a guaranteed benefit, pick the correct species or mix. especially to every situation or These factors include, however cropping system. are not limited to: The first concern about cover • The farms location and elcrops would be the ability to evation establish the crop and gain • Annual precipitation and enough growth on the crop to timing of precipitation provide the benefits the crop • Length of growing season was planted for. • Irrigation abilities This situation would be for • The various factors of the areas, such as the West, with cropping system (types of crops low precipitation and/or short grown, rotation, planting/hargrowing seasons that do not alvest, pesticides used, etc.) low the cover crop to germinate • The timing for planting the or attain proper biomass. cover crop This could also be a situation • Equipment when the cover crop is double • How the cover crop will be cropped after the main crop. terminated Failure to establish or receive • How the cover crop residue the benefits from the crop will be managed, etc. would have some economic imAll these factors play a role pact to the operation in terms of in the feasibility and success of
time, fuel, cost in seeds, etc. Another concern would be depleting reserves. All plants have basic requirements that are needed for growth — cover crops are no different. These basic requirements would be water and nutrients. If a cover crop is not implemented or managed correctly, it can impact the field’s water and nutrient reserves that would be available for the following main crop. The lack in water reserves could potentially affect the yield of the following main crop, especially in dryland situations, or have an economic impact to the operation in the cost of more fertilizer. Another economic effect that cover crops could have to an operation is increased pest management. If a cover crop is not terminated prior to maturing (setting seed), the cover crop can potentially become a weed problem for the next crop or crops. Along with weed pressure, cover crops can provide habitat for insect pests and diseases which can become a potential problem to following crop(s). This could potentially result in more costs for pest management, a reduction in yield, and/or complete crop failure. An example of this would be fusarium head blight in barley. One indirect concern for cover crops could potentially be the impact on local commodities and markets in specific seed production. Seed production follows strict guidelines and regulations to ensure specific variety production and quality of seed, which is set specifically for each individual species of plant grown for seed. An example would be radish seed production, which requires a 3-mile isolation radius around the field, meaning that no other varieties can be grown in this radius to ensure exact variety production. If radishes were planted in a cover crop in this isolation area, then the entire radish seed crop could not be sold for seed and would be a significant economic loss to the producer.
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The newly formed Wyoming Bean Commission teamed up with the University of Wyoming Extension to improve bean production in the Cowboy State with multiple research projects this year. If these projects prove successful, farmers could find themselves with new options for improved productivity in their fields. Pictured above is a bean field near Road 7 in the Powell area following last summer’s harvest. Tribune file photo by Toby Bonner
Beans: Multiple groups could benefit from the research Continued from Page 5 “The studies are looking good, research is research and some years are good and some are bad — but, the beans are beautiful,” Fulton said. “I am real happy with what I saw and excited to see the results at the conclusion of the season.” Many projects are in the works at the research station. Some are brand new and others are ongoing, such as the cooperative dry bean nursery that’s worked on by Moore and the University of Wyoming. In this project, several varieties of beans are planted in the same way at multiple research farms. From there, the harvest yields and maturity dates are compared, and that information gets shared across the board — taking the guesswork out of deciding what to plant. “It will be exciting to see the results from all the hard work,” Fulton said. The beans planted near Powell are the same set that’s planted by researchers across the U.S. and Canada, which helps determine which beans grow best in certain environments, Moore said. This is particularly useful for seed manufacturers, since they will know what needs developed as production demands shift. “A contractor could come and want a certain line grown, and if we have data, they will know how it will work on their farm,” Moore said. Additional varieties of beans can be planted if there’s interest in the region, he said. “My biggest challenge is the last couple of years have been different for growing seasons. Last year we finished early, but the year before we had a frost,” Moore said. Among the crops in the UW field near Powell is the slow-
darkening pinto bean the Bean working on drought tolerance Commission and bean producers trials on beans in Powell to figure across Wyoming, Colorado and out what can be done to increase Idaho have taken an interest in, bean production yields on irMoore said. rigation systems and the impact “We have several of those in herbicide carry-over has when the trial and we are learning irrigation is limited. This project about them, but I don’t know how was funded partially by the Bean they will work here or in the mar- Commission. (For the full story, see Page 4). ket place,” Moore said. “It is a big learning curve and Moore has 21 lines of beans and University of Wyoming has in years to come we will find 24 lines, said Jim Heitholt, UW where we need to focus,” Fulton department head of plant sci- said. There will be a lot of changes ences and a professor of crop in pesticide application areas physiology. “Last year was for private and a huge difference commercial ap(between the two plicators due to areas),” Heitholt the EPA’s new ‘The studies are said, noting that regulations, Uhlooking good, Powell’s fields den said. research is research had “great quali“We all had to ty” and the beans take the budget and some years in southeastern cuts,” he said. are good and some Wyoming didn’t Like many fare as well. the are bad — but, the groups, “Of course, USDA had to beans are beautiful.’ look at whether the good seed is Beau Fulton grown here, but it should do tarBean Commission not so much that geted budget reChairman way,” Heitholt ductions, reduce said. “We are some programs looking at why we put so much or eliminate some entirely — and nitrogen on beans and they’re ultimately it boiled down to getdoing that across the country be- ting rid of the pesticide disposal cause it is a profit.” program, he said. This information is also ben“Usually the districts applied eficial to the seed industry since for these grants and that has they need to know what varieties gone away now,” Uhden said. of seeds to focus on producing, “Our flow through grants saw Heitholt sad. some of the highest impacts of Some varieties do better in reduction — that is for things dry climates, such as Powell’s, like weed and pest because they and those are the varieties local get the largest amount of state growers want to produce. dollars.” Moore encouraged bean proWeed and pest has district mill ducers with questions to con- levies it can rely upon as a differtact the extension office in ent funding source, Uhden said. Powell, odds are good they can Basically it just means USDA help growers decide what to grants will be less common, he plant in the future. said. UW assistant professor of “The focus was on employee irrigated crop and weed man- retention in all areas as best we agement, Gustavo Sbatella, is could,” Uhden said.
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CROP ROTATIONS WITH CONSERVATION TILLAGE AND SPRINKLER IRRIGATION:
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t’s too soon to know for sure, but researchers are working on finding out if soil health and fertility can be improved by rotating sugar beets, beans and barley while using conservation tillage and sprinkler irrigation. “The main objective was to get some longterm study going on conservation tillage to compare nutrient and water usage and yields for beet and barley rotation,” said Jay Norton, soil specialist for the University of Wyoming Extension. “We have almost too many factors in this experiment.” This is the third year the study has been underway at the University of Wyoming’s Powell Research and Extension Center. Soil health samples were collected for the third time in late June or early July and data is in the process of being compiled. “We just want to share our preliminary data, there’s not a lot of profound differences,” Norton said. “We didn’t take a huge hit with reduced tillage and that is valuable information.” This experiment has four objectives: • Determine nitrogen and phosphorous requirements for optimum yield of each crop under overhead sprinklers. • Evaluate changes in soil health and nitrogen and phosphorus requirements under minimum tillage. • Evaluate the effects of using cover crops following barley and beans (when harvested early enough) on soil health and fertility. • Evaluate the first three objectives under full and 75 percent irrigation levels. “The main question is when switching to sprinkler (irrigation) you need to change the amount of N (nitrogen) and P (phosphorus) — but how?” Norton said. Using a lateral overhead sprinkler system, the main 48 plots of land had conventional and conservation tillage replicated four times for each of the three crops under each irrigation level. The soil is tested by hand and nozzle size controls the amount of water applied, said Camby Reynolds, Powell Research and Extension Center farm manager. Although the team can control most of the variables, they can’t control the weather — precipitation messes with the results, said
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University of Wyoming Extension soil specialist Jay Norton points out how a field is progressing by using a conservation tillage approach and a sprinkler irrigation system at the University of Wyoming’s Powell Research and Extension Center. Tribune photo by Matt Naber USDA district conservationist For conventional tillage, a Rory Karhu. ripper or moldboard plow was “From the NRS’ perspective, taken about 9 inches deep with no reduction in yield is good; we two passes made with a rolling want a reduction in irrigation mulcher in the fall. Then in the needs,” Karhu said. spring, a disk sweep was made to Nitrogen is water-soluble, so if incorporate fertilizer. water moves all the way down to Conservation tillage plots had the water table, that is where the nothing done to the fields in the nitrogen goes, Norton said. But fall for all three crops. The beans with furrow irrigation, it reduces and barley fields had a no-till apthe nitrogen in the plant. proach in the spring, while the A sprinkler irrigation system sugar beet fields had a strip till controls how following fertildeep the nitroizer broadcast. gen goes, so if a ‘The main objective The expectafarmer fertilizes tion is for slow the same way, was to get some increases in total they might get longterm study going organic carbon too much niand nitrogen untrogen because on conservation der reduced tillit doesn’t wash tillage to compare age. Meanwhile, away, he said. some componutrient and water nents of the soil “Wherever are more easwater goes is usage and yields ...’ ily broken down where the N Jay Norton and are expectgoes, but P is UW Extension soil specialist ed to respond tied up in minermore quickly als so we think having more residue will have and should show signs of recoverP cycle more instead of laying ing soil organic matter. “We want an idea of how these there unavailable to the plant,” impact organic matter, but it he said. There were 12 sub-plots of land changes very slowly,” Norton where additional treatments were said. The team measures organic evaluated for nitrogen and phosphorus levels, cover crop treat- residue and puts it in a jar to ment and a “business as usual” see how much carbon dioxide is present to get a more rapid idea treatment. All told, this experiment has of what’s happening, Norton said. The reduced tillage method 576 plots of land. Conservation tillage and con- conserves organic residue and ventional tillage were conducted fertilizer needs should go down after a few years of doing this apfor each of the three crops.
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proach, he said. “That is the theory,” Norton said. Early signs of recovery are indicated with growing microbial communities that compete with plants for the available nitrogen in the soil. Ultimately this means less fertilizer is needed. Heavy soil tillage accelerates crop residue decomposition, which leads to booms and busts in microbial activity. But, with reduced disturbance, sustained microbial activity is supported by constrained decomposition due to lack of oxygen. This essentially mellows out the boom and bust cycles within the soil so that organic matter can increase. PRELIMINARY RESULTS Preliminary results showed that the tillage method does not affect the yield or sugar content when water needs are fully met or kept at just 75 percent. But, nitrogen rates affected sugar beet yields in both 2014 and 2015. Last year’s yields were low due to replanting after a frost event in May 2014. There hasn’t been a good response to nitrogen, said Onesmus Ngetich, a UW grad student and PhD candidate from Kenya. “In 2014, we observed a linear response with an increase in yield, but no significance,” Ngetich said. “Then in 2015, the beets had low yields. But, the nitrogen needs decreased.”
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BARLEY, BEANS & BALES
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The Farm Meets Function videos explore how different farmers and ranchers in Wyoming manage their land. Courtesy photo
Videos look at open space values in Wyoming agriculture In eight videos, Wyoming agricultural producers offer their thoughts on weeds, water, what they’re growing — plus wildlife and non-crop habitats in agricultural landscapes. The videos are part of the Farm Meets Function project. “One of our goals was to represent a diversity of operations,” said project originator Randa Jabbour, assistant professor of agroecology at the University of Wyoming. Locations include a bison ranch, a vineyard, a 2,000-acre family agribusiness and high tunnels where salad greens grow at 8,500 feet. The videos and website, bit.ly/ farmmeetsfunction, invite visitors to think more broadly about the role of agriculture in a state where 93 percent of privately owned land is classified as agricultural. “You can see how large-scale, small-scale, organic and nonorganic producers feel about the land and the constraints they face,” Jabbour said. Videographer Conner Mullen contributed an artist’s eye.
“Randa, it’s OK for the videos to be beautiful and educational,” he told Jabbour during project planning. Interviews took place last summer on porches, an open tailgate and under cottonwoods, often with birds and insects offering a running commentary. Zoe Nelson, seasonal technician, conducted four of the interviews and developed the Farm Meets Function website. The website describes ecosystem “services” (which are the “functions”) encompassed by different habitat types on Wyoming operations (“the farms”). Ecosystem services include food, fiber and fuel production, soil conservation, water quality, recreation and historic sites. Habitat types include wetlands, grasslands, forest and riparian zones along creeks and rivers. Farm Meets Function was made possible by the Wyoming Open Spaces Initiative (bit.ly/w yopenspaces) with funding from the Walton Family Foundation. For more information, contact Jabbour at 307-766-3439 or rjab bour@uwyo.edu.
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Neither tillage method nor nitrogen rates affected the sugar content at both irrigation levels. Under limited irrigation, tillage by nitrogen integration in 2014 showed that strip tillage decreases sugar content with increasing rates of nitrogen — but, conventional tillage enhances sugar content as nitrogen levels increase. Early this spring, the team went into the field to get residual samples and add nitrogen and phosphorus to get the desired rate and in some cases they didn’t have to add anything, Norton said. “The more you put on, the higher the yield is what we are seeing, but we know that is not the case,” Norton said. “There was something besides nitrogen limiting the yield.” The same thing happened for the sugar beets, there was barely a response to the nitrogen, Ngetich said. Strip tillage also showed
no difference in the yields. “There was a slight response in 2015, but very minimal — so the nitrogen rates are increasing,” Ngetich said. Nitrogen levels and sugar content turned out completely differently when comparing strip tillage and conventional tillage. “We saw some puzzling responses especially for sugar content,” Norton said. “Our hypothesis would be with reduced tillage, for the yield to improve as soil improves.” Moving forward, this year is the final year for nitrogen and phosphorus rate studies. The research team is proposing to keep the 48 main plots going and possibly expanding the cover crop study in a more manageable fashion. Soil conditions are expected to continue changing under the tillage and crop cover treatments and the research team thinks that continued monitoring will provide valuable information for Big Horn Basin producers.
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The Wyoming Department of Transportation is providing orange ‘Livestock on Road’ signs for people driving livestock within state rights of way. Photo courtesy WYDOT
Signs available for moving livestock on highways Wyoming Department of Transportation officials are offering orange “livestock on road” signs for citizens driving livestock within state rights of way in central and northwest Wyoming. Safety signs are available for use from department maintenance offices in Cody, South Pass, Lander, Riverton, Dubois, Shoshoni, Thermopolis, Worland, Ten Sleep, Basin, Lovell and Meeteetse. “These signs are designed
to enhance safety for ranchers and other folks driving livestock within the rights of way, and proper use should help provide plenty of notice for people as they travel our state’s highways,” said Shawn Franzen, WyDOT maintenance foreman in Worland. Franzen said the signs tie in well with the department’s mission of providing a safe, high quality and efficient transportation system to the citizens of Wyoming.
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2016 POWELL TRIBUNE • PAGE 11
WAYS TO ENJOY
WYOMING’S LOCAL FARMERS’ MARKETS
Farmers’ market season is in full swing with 53 markets across the state, according to the Wyoming Business Council. Markets are a good source of local and regional produce, meat and value-added foods, as well as crafts and informational booths. University of Wyoming Extension educator Cole Ehmke noted farmers’ markets are community events, where locals and visitors can enjoy summer days while supporting the local economy and eating well. Ehmke, extension ag entrepreneurship specialist, offers these five tips to help get the most from a market:
1
Bring your own bags.
2
Buy what’s in season.
Most vendors provide a bag (even if it is not new), but bringing bags or a basket can reduce waste at the market and in one’s home. Consider using a cooler to help keep fresh items crisp. Some people may be surprised to learn fresh apples aren’t available in July, nor fresh cherries in October. Neither may be available from local producers in any quantity at Wyoming markets, given the short growing season. Markets are a good way to learn about what can be grown in the area, so talk with farmers about where and how they grow their produce (especially about organic practices if that is important to you). Noting how product availability changes across the season is a good way to teach children about respecting the seasons as well as managing your own expectations, Ehmke said. Plus, the highest nutritional value in vegetables is from those items that are freshest (preferably picked that day).
3
Experiment and get advice.
If you spot something unusual, ask for the vendor’s insight on storage and preparation. Some vendors might provide recipes and nutrition information, and information can always be found online if you can at least name the item. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for a sample or clarify the price.
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Weekly farmers’ markets held in Powell and Cody In Powell, the weekly farmers’ market takes place from 4:306:30 p.m. Mondays on Second Street, south of Washington Park. In Cody, the weekly farmers’ market is from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Thursdays at the southwest parking lot of the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, 720 Sheridan Ave. A list of farmers’ markets, hours and days of operation is available on the Wyoming Farmers Marketing Association’s website, www.wyomingfarmer smarkets.org, under “Wyoming Farmers Market.”
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Your time and insight can be extremely helpful to a market manager. Most managers put a lot of effort into organizing a market, recruiting vendors, setting up and running a market and advertising, and they’re probably not paid. Unfortunately, manager burnout (leading to turnover in a manager position) is a major reason why markets fail, Ehmke said. Volunteering could provide valuable assistance to the community and be a great way to be engaged with a diverse group of people.
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Farmers’ markets can be social events, with most participants strolling to see the local growers and their customers, enjoying the fair-like atmosphere and perhaps picking up a few items. Others will be at the market to do weekly shopping. At some markets, the crowd can be an obstacle to both groups, so know what you’d like to get out of the market and plan accordingly. For example, bring water and wear sun protection, so waiting in line is more comfortable; go at times when the crowds will be less and the parking better; and bring smaller bills for paying vendors.
5
The farmers’ market in Powell offers a variety of food items each week, including fresh vegetables, honey, baked goods, meat and lemonade. The market takes place from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Mondays on Second Street by Washington Park. Tribune photos by Tessa Schweigert
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PAGE 12 • POWELL TRIBUNE THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2016
BARLEY, BEANS & BALES
THREE DEER(E) Jim and Marlene Murphy of Powell titled this photo ‘Three Deer(e) — they all run, but only one bales.’ The couple spotted these bucks near a John Deere tractor from the front porch of their cabin, looking south toward Heart Mountain. Photo courtesy Marlene Murphy
The value of Wyoming agriculture W
yoming agriculture is strong. Wyoming is one of the few states in the last Census of Agriculture to add agricultural lands and ranked first in average size of farm and ranch in the country. Not only does ag in Wyoming contribute more than a billion dollars annually to the state economy, it also preserves the open spaces we all love as well as the culture and heritage that make Wyoming great. Simply put, agriculture is imperative to the state of Wyoming economically, culturally and historically. While this is widely known in the state of Wyoming, the agriculture industry sometimes falls
to the back of people’s minds as generations move further from the farm or ranch. It’s important to take this opportunity to talk about the positive impacts this industry has not only on the state of Wyoming but the United States and world. It’s also important to recognize the challenges our industry faces so citizens can understand the issues this vital industry faces to provide food and fiber. Wyoming agriculture continues to move in a positive direction. Along with the money agriculture brings to the economy in Wyoming, agriculture brings great value to the state of Wyoming. Agriculture provides the open spaces we love and stewards of the land who care
AGRICULTURE IMPERATIVE TO STATE ECONOMY, CULTURE AND HISTORY
The people from the agriculture for it by protecting the land in industry are great citizens who ways that are beneficial to evcan be, and are, ambassadors eryone in the state. Not only do for this way of life. our producers work While I hope the land, they sustain younger generations and preserve it for that want to return future generations to the ranch or farm while providing habiwill have the opportat for wildlife and tunity if they choose, other uses. their agricultural While the agribackgrounds will still culture industry serve them well movprovides these siging forward if they nificant values to have other interests. our state, arguably Our industry and the most important DOUG MIYAMOTO others benefit from are the people. Hard Guest columnist more Wyoming ranch working, honest, and value-driven, these citizens pro- kids occupying important positions regardless of what career vide quality products for their family, community, state, nation they chose. The connection they have to agriculture can be and people around the world.
shared with a multitude of people outside the industry. While there are many worthwhile professions within agriculture that can be explored, there are other opportunities to spread the positives of agriculture around the state and country. Along with this, there is room in the agriculture industry for those with no agricultural background. They can provide fresh perspectives and ideas to help move the industry forward. We all depend on a thriving agricultural system in our state and country. Even with all the positives farming and ranching provides, there are always challenges to our industry. From a lack of knowledge about agriculture
in the general population to policies that make agriculture difficult like the Endangered Species Act and Waters of the U.S., there are plenty of issues our industry faces. While those issues remain, we will work hard as a department and an industry to face those challenges and continue to provide the positive benefits of agriculture. Like always, the resilience and toughness of Wyoming’s producers ensure the agriculture industry in Wyoming will prosper in spite of the challenges the agriculture industry faces. (Doug Miyamoto is the director of the Wyoming Department of Agriculture.)
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Big R Sale Price
1997
Plastic & Sisal available. Net wrap is also available.
All at Low Big R Prices!
Carhartt Work Jacket Flannel Lined
RN14806
Natural Orange 7.5 oz. 0951
Big R Price
$
Cory Baker - Market Manager Joe Bridges - Crop Adviser Ted Zier - Crop Adviser
857 Road 8, Powell Call: 307-754-4833
2.49
STORES
2” x 27’ Sale Price
$
1497
Big R Price $ 99
99
455 South Absaroka, Powell, Wyoming • 307-754-9521
Cody to Powell Toll Free 587-2668 • Toll Free 1-800-698-2145 • www.lintonsbigr.com