Grains like wheat, barley, and corn are major crops in Washington, covering some 2.5 million acres in 2012. Grown for both export and domestic use, the food produced from these crops make up the core calories in many people’s diets. Research to better manage pests, soil fertility, and the environmental impact of growing these crops is important to maintain their production in Western, Central and Eastern Washington.
Featured Publications
Farmer-to-Farmer & Rancher-to-Rancher Case Studies Series
Authors include: Yorgey, G., Borrelli, K., Painter, K., Davis, H., Hall, S., Hudson, T., Neibergs, S., Reeves, M., Kruger, C., McGuire A., Finkelnburg, D., Roe, D., Brooks, E., and Kantor, S. 2016-2019. PNW Extension Publications and videos. These series explore strategies that innovative regional farmers and ranchers are using that enhance resilience to climate change and […]
Comparison of Greenhouse Gas Offset Quantification Protocols for Nitrogen Management in Dryland Wheat Cropping Systems of the Pacific Northwest
TT Brown, CM Lee, CE Kruger, JP Reganold, DR Huggins. 2017. Frontiers in Environmental Science 5, 72.
Design and Use of Representative Agricultural Pathways for Integrated Assessment of Climate Change in US Pacific Northwest Cereal-Based Systems
John M Antle, Jianhong E Mu, Hongliang Zhang, Susan M Capalbo, Penelope L Diebel, Sanford D Eigenbrode, Chad E Kruger, Claudio O Stöckle, JD Wulfhorst, and John T Abatzoglou. 2017. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution 5, 99.
Disease Management for Wheat and Barley (PDF)
Kirby, E., T. Paulitz, T. Murray, K. Schroeder, X. Chen. 2017. Chapter 10 In Yorgey, G. and C. Kruger, eds. Advances in Dryland Production Systems in the Pacific Northwest. Washington State University Extension, Pullman, WA.
Advances in Dryland Farming in the Inland Pacific Northwest
Georgine Yorgey and Chad Kruger, Eds. 2017. Washington State University Extension. Pullman, WA.
Increasing resilience among cereal-based farmers in the Inland Pacific Northwest – Farmer to Farmer Case Studies
Yorgey, Georgine, Kathleen Painter, Hilary Davis, Kristy Borrelli, Sylvia Kantor, Leigh Bernacchi, R. Dennis Roe, Chad Kruger 2014. Video and print case studies part of REACCH PNA project. The goal of these case studies to inspire others to take management risks on their farms that can improve their overall sustainability and resiliency into the future. Future case […]
Life cycle assessment of the potential carbon credit from no- and reduced-tillage winter wheat-based cropping systems in Eastern Washington State
Zaher, U, C. Stockle, K. Painter, S. Higgins. Agricultural Systems. November 2013. Volume 122, pages 73-78.
Integrating Livestock into Dryland Organic Crop Rotations
Carpenter-Boggs, L., Painter, K., and Wachter, J. Recorded webinar presentation delivered October 22, 2013. It covers a variety of reasons to integrate livestock into crop rotations, and summarizes past research on the topic. It is directed towards beginning growers interested in diversifying their income and crop rotations, towards educators and Extension workers, and towards a more […]
International Quinoa Research Symposium Broadcast Webinar
Recordings from August 12-14, 2013 symposium.
REACCHPNA Monitoring Greenhouse Gases with the Eddy Covariance Flux Tower (3 min)
May 2013. This video describes how researchers at WSU monitor greenhouse gas exchanges in cereal-based cropping systems using the eddy covariance flux tower. Includes description of flux tower components. This work is part of the REACCH PNA research project.
Soil carbon sequestration in the dryland cropping region of the Pacific Northwest
Brown, T.T., and D.R. Huggins. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation 2012 67(5):406-415; doi:10.2489/jswc.67.5.406.
Dryland Organic Agriculture in the PNW: Meeting Opportunities and Challenges
At the Tilth Producers of Washington Conference in November 2011, WSU hosted a Dryland Organic Agriculture Symposium. The presentations and keynote from that symposium were recorded and are now available for online viewing. This special symposium addressed agronomic and economic issues specific to dryland organic production. Speakers and attendees came from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana. Also, […]
Northwest Dryland Cereal/Legume Cropping Systems Database
Compilation of research and experience in dryland agriculture in the northwestern U.S. from the past 100 years the early 1990s. The database is full-text searchable.
Additional Publications
Unlocking the Biofuel Power of Cover Crops in Washington State: Enhancing Potential Through Hydrothermal Liquefaction. Biomass and Bioenergy
Santosa, D. M., Potter, T., Pierobon, F., Göreke, D., Meyer, P. A., Kruger, C. E., Norberg, S., Collins, D., & Male, J. (2025). Unlocking the biofuel power of cover crop in Washington State: Enhancing potential through hydrothermal liquefaction. Biomass and Bioenergy, 203, 108311. Study explores whether Washington cover crops can serve as profitable, low-carbon feedstocks […]
Grain production information for western Washington
A list of resources targeted towards maritime production systems.
Dryland Organic Production
Includes presentations on marketing, general production, and no-till production from two annual workshops.
The Bread Lab – Plant Breeding
The goal of the Plant Breeding program at The Bread Labis to add to the long-term environmental and economic health of farming in western Washington while producing a food crop that is safe and high in nutritional value. The complexities of farming systems in western Washington are acknowledged and nonreductionist approaches are favored.
Influence of biodynamic preparations on compost development and resultant compost extracts on wheat seedling growth
Reeve, J.R., L. Carpenter-Boggs, J.P. Reganold, A.L. York, and W.F. Brinton. 2010. Bioresource Technology.
Precision Conservation: site-specific trade-offs of harvesting wheat residues for biofuel feedstocks
Huggins, D.R., & Kruger, C.E. (2010). In R. Khosia (Ed.), Proceedings of the 10th International Conference on Precision Agriculture. 10th International Conference on Precision Agriculture, Denver, CO. Colorado State University.
Yield, Protein and Nitrogen Use Efficiency of Spring Wheat: Evaluating Field-Scale Performance (PDF)
Chapter 17 in Climate Friendly Farming: Improving the Carbon Footprint of Agriculture in the Pacific Northwest. Full report available at http://csanr.wsu.edu/pages/Climate_Friendly_Farming_Final_Report/.
Growing Grains and Dry Beans in Whatcom County: Expanding the Potential for Local Foods Production in Northwest Washington – March 2009 (PDF)
Article in Sustaining the Pacific Northwest Newsletter
Crop Yield and Revenue Variability Across Time and Space at the Cook Agronomy Farm, 2001-2006 (PDF)
D. Huggins and K. Painter. Abstract in 2008 Dryland Field Day Abstracts: Highlights of Research Progress.
Organic Cropping Systems Field Day (PDF)
Jun-08
External Links
- eXtension
- Long-Term Management Effects on Soil Productivity and Crop Yield in Semi-Arid Regions of Eastern Oregon
- National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service (ATTRA) Master Publications List
- Organic Field Crop Handbook
- Plant and Life Sciences Publishing
- Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Project Reports
- Washington State Crop Improvement Association
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