This webinar was presented by Jennifer Reeve and Earl Creech of Utah State University on November 10, 2015. Watch it on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imvtu7OvSNA
About the Webinar
Dryland organic wheat production in the arid West encompasses a large percentage of the organic wheat acreage in the United States. However, declining wheat yields and poor quality caused by lack of soil fertility and growing weed pressure threaten the economic and environmental sustainability of these farms. Composts have a strong carryover effect with potential to improve soil fertility and productivity of dryland organic wheat systems but the long-term benefits have not been thoroughly evaluated.
A new multi-state long-term project was initiated in the fall of 2014 involving a collaboration between scientists at Utah State University, Washington State University and the University of Wyoming. The long-term goal is to develop long-term on-farm research sites devoted to testing and showcasing organic dryland wheat management strategies for increased water use efficiency, weed management, soil quality, wheat yield and quality, and economic viability for dryland organic wheat growers. This webinar will present data from the original compost carryover research project in Utah as well as introduce the goals and objectives of the new multi-state long-term project.
Download a pdf handout of the presentation here
About the Presenters
Earl Creech is an Assistant Professor and Extension Agronomist in the department of Plants, Soils and Climate at Utah State University. Dr. Creech conducts applied research that addresses critical needs of Utah’s irrigated and dryland production agriculture. He works closely with agricultural producers, federal and state agencies, agribusiness organizations, life sciences companies, the media, and the scientific community concerned with crop management issues.
Jennifer Reeve is Associate Professor of Organic and Sustainable Agriculture in the department of Plants Soils and Climate at Utah State University. Her current research focuses on nutrient management and soil health in organic and integrated tree fruit, vegetable, pasture and grain systems. She is also chair of the Southern Coordinating Committee: Quantifying the linkages among soil health, organic farming and food. In 2012 she received an award for civically engaged scholar from the Utah Campus Compact for her work with the USU Student Organic Farm. Originally from England she earned a Bachelor of Science in Ecology from the University of Sheffield in 1995 followed by a MS in Soil Science from Washington State University in 2003 and a PhD in Soil Science from Washington State University in 2007.
