Seed Production « Seed Production

Thomas G. Chastain

Our work on grass seed crop residue management suggests that the answer to this question depends on the grass crop species. On-farm trials over 60 site-years and in 6 seed crops species across Oregon were used to compare baling straw with and without flailing of the crop stubble. In several of our grass seed crops including perennial ryegrass, tall fescue, orchardgrass and Chewings fescue, the differences in seed yield for baling and post-bale flail chopping of a field were negligible and were not statistically significant. Thus, there was no requirement for flailing of these crops after baling of the straw in order to harvest good seed yields.

Stack of straw bales in grass seed field (T.G. Chastain photo)

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Grass seed harvest continues to progress here in the Willamette Valley and thoughts will soon turn to residue management.

Smoke plume from open-field burning in Oregon’s Willamette Valley in the 1990s. (T.G. Chastain photo)

I’m reminded each year at this time of the challenges of grass seed crop residue management in the 1990s and the transition from a burning-based system to one that involves management of the straw and stubble by using non-thermal techniques. This topic was addressed in a 1998 Oregon’s Agricultural Progress article linked below:

Splendor in the Mass

Thomas G. Chastain

Dry conditions are normal for the Willamette Valley in July and August. This is an important period for flowering and seed development in red clover seed crops. While much of the region’s red clover seed crop is not irrigated, would the crop benefit from additional water during this dry period? That is one of the questions that the seed production research and extension team has addressed.

Red clover irrigation trials at Hyslop Farm (TG Chastain photo)

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Thomas G. Chastain

Grass seed harvest has begun here in the Willamette Valley. In order to maximize harvest efficiency and seed yield, using the appropriate 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 seed yield and minimize losses of seed during harvest. Seed moisture content is also an important factor in the storage of harvested seed. High seed moisture content reduces longevity of seed in storage and reduces seed quality. Continue reading →

Here’s a good story in the Capital Press on the role of Alkali bees in pollinating alfalfa seed fields in the Pacific Northwest (follow link below):

A different kind of bee

I’ve been fascinated with these bees for many years now and I cover them in my Seed Production course at OSU. Unlike the honey bee, alkali bees are native to the Pacific Northwest. This bee nests in the ground (bee beds) and as a result is not very portable. Nevertheless, alkali bees are efficient in tripping alfalfa flowers and contribute to good seed yields through their impact on pollination of the crop.

Near the bee beds in pollination season, one can observe restrictive speed limits on rural roads to protect this valuable pollinator.

Speed limits on rural roads where alkali bees are commonly employed in alfalfa seed production (TG Chastain photo)

Our research and extension team has published a Pacific Northwest Extension bulletin on camelina stand establishment. The work was done across multiple environments in the Pacific Northwest ranging from arid eastern Washington to the wet Willamette Valley. The effects of planting date and method were examined in relationship to establishment of camelina stands and seed yield.

The article can be accessed at the link below:

Schillinger, W.F., D.J. Wysocki, T.G. Chastain, S.O. Guy, and R.S. Karow. 2014. Camelina: effects of planting date and method on stand establishment and seed yield. Pacific Northwest Extension Publication, PNW 661.

Seed Production

Category Archives: Seed Production

Is flailing after baling required for good seed yields in grass seed crops?

A look back at grass seed residue management

Strategically-timed irrigation increases red clover seed yield

Seed moisture content: a guide to harvest timing in grass seed crops

Alkali bees in alfalfa seed production

Camelina stand establishment and seed yield extension publication is now available

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