Corn field tour showcases high-residue farming

GEORGE — Columbia Basin farmers got an up-close look at the success of high-residue farming under irrigation in the area this week.

The Washington State University Grant/Adams County Extension held the event at three locations around the George area where corn is being grown.

Each site included a look at the soil, cropping history and corn management. Highlights of the various sites included earthworm proliferation, a minimal disturbance two-pass strip-till system, planting into corn residue and planting into perennial crops.

Extension educator Andy McGuire said high-residue farming is starting to crop up more in the Columbia Basin, especially in the George area, where farmers are trying to reduce wind erosion.

"It saves money, it does prevent wind erosion," McGuire said. "You don't get the dust blowing, it produces good crop and it improves the soil in the long run."

McGuire hoped the tour would answer some questions about challenges and cost, and get people to start looking at the method as a system.

George resident Sam Krautscheid owned the first corn field on the tour.

"I really think there's some serious potential savings and more income potential on this type of system for long-term benefits," Kraustscheid said.

Those benefits included economic and soil improvements, he added.

"So we went with it on our type of farm and started seeing good results, so I wanted to show it to other people," Krautscheid said. "I want other people to enjoy the same benefits; I'm not the guy who's going to find something out and then be quiet over in the corner."

Alan Williamson owned the second and third sites on the tour.

Boardman, Ore., resident Joe Taylor said Krautscheid's field was similar in appearance to his field. He was present to determine how to avoid uneven emergence and inconsistent spacing, which he believes is part of the no-till process.

"Just want to learn more," Taylor said. "It's a learning process."

Moses Lake resident Tim Prickett was in attendance because he is an agriculture equipment salesman and also grows crops on the side.

"Interested in new technology to help the customers out to make more money," he said. "It's got a lot of potential; a lot of people need to look at it."

Prickett hoped to come away armed with information to aid his customers.

"When they come to ask me questions, hopefully I have enough knowledge to answer those questions," he said.