Bill Jepsen uses flex cropping to improve profitability, manage weeds, and build soil organic matter.
This video features Bill Jepsen, a wheat farmer near Ione, Oregon, who uses flex cropping in a low-rainfall dryland system with shallow soils. Rather than following a fixed winter wheat–fallow rotation every year, Jepsen makes cropping decisions based on stored soil moisture, weather, markets, and field conditions. When conditions allow, he replaces fallow with spring wheat or other annual crops, which can improve profitability while helping manage grassy weeds and support soil organic matter. The video explains how direct seeding makes flex cropping more workable by allowing earlier planting and reducing soil erosion. Jepsen also discusses the risks of the system, including income variability, years with no crop, capital needs, labor demands, and reliance on crop insurance. He advises other growers to start gradually, choosing fields where spring cropping can help address weed problems.
This publication is part of an archive and may not meet current digital accessibility standards. CSANR is working to improve digital accessibility of all materials. If you need this content in an alternative format, please contact csanr@wsu.edu.
Authors
Kantor, S., Yorgey, G., Painter, K., Bernacchi, L., Davis, H., and Kruger, C.
Related Products
- Grazing Management that Achieves Multiple-Use Goals: Russ Stingley
- Grazing for Multiple-Use Goals: The Stingleys Video
- Building Resilience Through Engagement: Brenda and Tony Richards
- Building Resilience Through Engagement: Brenda and Tony Richards Video
- Building a Tradition of Adaptive Rangeland Management: Jack Southworth
- Ranching, Grass, Cattle, and Community: Jack Southworth Video
- Maximizing Water Through Holistic Management: Maurice and Beth Robinette Video
- The Benefits of Summer Calving: Maurice and Beth Robinette Video
- A Community-Based Response to Flooding: Jay Gordon
- A Community-Based Response to Flooding: Jay Gordon Video
- Deficit Irrigation of a Diverse Irrigated Rotation: Jake Madison
- Deficit Irrigation: Jake Madison Video
- Strip Tillage for Onions and Sweet Corn: Lorin Grigg
- Strip Tillage in Onions: Lorin Grigg Video
- Strip-tilled and Direct-seeded Vegetables Integrated with Cattle Grazing: Eric Williamson
- Strip Tillage of Vegetables with Livestock Integration: Eric Williamson Video
- Stripper Header and Direct Seeding: Ron and Andy Juris
- Stripper Header and Direct Seeding: Ron and Andy Juris Video
- Variable Rate Nitrogen Application: Eric Odberg
- Precision Nitrogen Application: Eric Odberg Video
- Biofumigant Cover Cropping in Potatoes: Dale Gies
- Mustard Cover Cropping in Potatoes: Dale Gies Video
- Diversifying Dryland Direct Seed Systems: Steve and Nate Riggers
- Growing Diverse Crops: Steve and Nate Riggers Video
- Grazed Cover Cropping: Drew Leitch
- Grazed Cover Cropping: Drew Leitch Video
- Enhancing Crop Diversity: Steve and Becky Camp
- Enhancing Crop Diversity: Steve and Becky Camp Video
- Flex Cropping: Bill Jepsen
- Conservation Tillage in a Winter Wheat–Fallow System: Ron Jirava
- Conservation Tillage in a Winter Wheat–Fallow System: Ron Jirava Video
Related Project
Year Published
2016
Area of Focus
Agricultural Practices
Topics
Crop Protection, Crops, Production Systems, and Soils & Fertility
