Extension Curriculum Grants Program

spring wheat

REACCH's Extension Curriculum Grants Program supports outreach efforts across the region to help prepare producers manage environmental risks associated with agriculture across a broad geographic range and scope of interests.

Funded Projects:

Advancing nitrogen use efficiency and direct seed farming methods

Researchers: Aaron Esser, WSU
Two online calculators are available to help growers calculate recommended nitrogen inputs and post-harvest nitrogen efficiency, and assist them in monitoring nitrogen use in the field. Users can calculate nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and make fertilizer application decisions.

Farmer-to-farmer case study series: Increasing resilience among farmers in the inland Pacific Northwest

Researchers: Georgine Yorgey, WSU; Sylvia Kantor, WSU; Kate Painter, UI; Leigh Bernacchi, UI; and Hilary Davis, UI
Case study videos and written materials feature regional producers’ strategies for enhancing environmental and economic resilience of cereal-based cropping systems across Pacific Northwest agroecological zones. Three rounds of case studies were funded.

Data-display and climate communication with key decision-makers: Crop consultants

Researchers: Leigh Bernacchi, UI, J. D. Wulfhorst, UI; and Matt Turner, UI NKN
A web-based, data-driven decision tool provides recommendations for climate change communication strategies and enables certified crop advisors to view the REACCH Agricultural Producer Survey data by generalized location.

Ammonia volatilization associated with cereal production in inland OR and WA

Researchers: Donald Horneck, OSU, and Marvin Butler, OSU
Information about chemical additives (e.g., Agrotain) that inhibit nitrogen transformation and losses will be presented in digital and written publications, and grower-based talks to help regional wheat producers reduce the negative consequences associated with nitrogen loss.

Cover crop feasibility with livestock integration in low-rainfall summer-fallow region

Researchers: Leslie Michel, Okanogan Conservation District, and Dale Whaley, WSU
Suitable varieties of cover crops, planting and termination dates, and soil moisture data specific to a dryland summer-fallow region in WA will be featured in an extension fact sheet and at grower-based winter meetings and summer field days. Preliminary research has resulted in continued support of this project from a U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service Conservation Innovation Grant.

Resistance to wheat aphids and the effect of climatic conditions on aphid populations and natural enemies

Researchers: Silvia Rondon, OSU; Mary Corp, OSU; Steve Van Vleet, WSU; Aymeric Goyer, OSU; and Qamar Zeb, OSU
Aphid tolerant or resistant wheat varieties will be identified and presented in an extension fact sheet and at multiple field-day meetings to help growers learn more about insect-plant relationships and enable them to identify and choose aphid-resistant wheat varieties.

Cover crops with direct-seed wheat rotation in north central Idaho

Researchers: Ken Hart, UI; Jim Church, UI; Doug Finkelnburg, UI; Kevin Seitz, USDA/NRCS; Vern McMaster, Lewis County Soil Conservation District; and Ed Bechinski, UI
Written materials and field tours with grower cooperators provide opportunities for north Idaho livestock producers to learn about extending their grazing season by rotating cover crops with direct-seeded wheat.

Wireworm species diversity and distribution in southern Idaho

Researchers: Arash Rashad, UI, and Juliet Marshall, UI
Grower cooperation and involvement will aid in the development of a digital distribution map of Idaho’s most common wireworm species. The map will be featured on websites, written handouts and other publications.

Economic injury levels and a binomial sequential sampling plan for an invasive wheat aphid (Metopolophium festucae cerealium) and a readily abundant wheat aphid (Rhopalosiphum padi) on spring wheat

Researchers: Brad Stokes, UI, and Sanford Eigenbrode, UI
Economic injury levels (EILs) for two aphid pests will be identified, updated and incorporated into a decision support tool that wheat producers can use to quickly sample fields and determine whether or not to apply a pest control tactic.

Getting information about high-residue farming under irrigation into farmers' hands

Researchers: Andy McGuire, WSU
A series of five publications focused on high-residue cereal farming in the irrigated Columbia Basin region in OR and WA were developed. REACCH extension supported printing costs of these manuals to be distributed at grower workshops.

Soil organic matter dynamics in winter wheat–based cropping systems: Demonstrating impacts of climate change on soil carbon and nitrogen

Researchers: Rajan Ghimire, OSU; Prakriti Bista, OSU; and Stephen Machado, OSU
An extension publication and presentations will inform wheat producers about the potential for long-term crop rotations to improve soil organic matter and carbon. Further research will identify how climate change variables such as temperature and precipitation could further impact organic matter management.

Producer profiles: Models for resilience in the inland Pacific Northwest cereal-growing region

Researchers: Patrick Mazza, dba MROC
A series of short profile articles will feature regional producers who are building resilience in their farming systems in an illustrated publication. Because they are shorter, this series of producer profiles will be able to feature a greater number of cereal producers across the region and are meant to support the Farmer-to-Farmer Case Study Series mentioned above.