The University of Idaho’s Brassica Breeding and Research Program put on an excellent field day on July 10th at the University’s Parker Farm outside of Moscow Idaho. Featured were several presentations by Dr. Jack Brown, leader of the program and plant breeder, and other members of the University of Idaho and Oregon State University faculty working on oilseed crops, including our own Dr. Don Wysocki.
Thomas G. Chastain
Willamette Valley seed producers have endured yet another cold and wet spring. Seed growers are now looking forward to the pleasant dry and warm summer weather that area is well known for to aid in harvest and other field operations. This spring’s weather was both colder and wetter than the long-term averages for the locale. And this combination of cold and wet weather in spring is part of a trend that has been evident for the past four years.
Thomas G. Chastain
Grass seed crop harvest in Oregon will begin shortly and to maximize harvest efficiency, identifying the best timing for harvest is essential. Seed moisture content has been found to be the most reliable indicator of seed maturity and harvest timing in grass seed crops.
Since pollination and seed maturation are not uniform processes in grass seed crops, a range of seed maturity can be found in a single field. Harvesting within the correct range of seed moisture contents will maximize harvestable seed yield and minimize losses of seed during harvest. Seed moisture content is also an important factor in the storability of harvested seed. High seed moisture content reduces longevity of seed in storage and reduces seed quality. Continue reading
Thomas G. Chastain
Seed yields of several important Willamette Valley grass seed crop species have increased over the last 36 years (Fig. 2). Seed yield increases in the region over this period have ranged from 261 lbs/acre for annual ryegrass to 1024 lbs/acre for tall fescue. Continue reading
My presentation was on our 3-year field study on energy use and efficiency in perennial ryegrass and tall fescue seed crops. Results from the study have been used to create a life-cycle energy budget for these grass seed crops.
Here’s my handout from Hyslop Farm Field Day with more information about the topic:
Flower seed production is a small component of the seed production industry in Oregon. Flower seed crops grown in Oregon include California poppy, black-eyed Susan, larkspur, bachelor buttons, garden yarrow, oxeye daisy, African daisy, blue flax, wild thyme, coreopsis, snow in summer, columbine, and others. Seed is often blended and used in flower mixes for home gardens, parks, roadside and re-vegetation projects, and golf courses.
Here is a link to a video courtesy of America’s Heartland and KVIE-TV that illustrates flower seed production activities at Triangle Farms in Oregon:
This diversified farming operation is located on the eastern edge of the Willamette Valley in the Silverton Hills region. The flower seed crops provide rotation benefits for grass seed and other crops grown on farms where flowers are a part of the enterprise.