Tag Archives: Residue Management

New Oregon State University grass seed crop residue management publication

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A new publication on residue management has just been released by OSU’s grass seed production research and extension team.  The publication is titled Postharvest Residue Management for Grass Seed Production in Western Oregon (EM 9051) and is a product of many years of  field work in grass seed crops by the members of the research and extension team.

Residue management equipment used in OSU field studies. The equipment was transported to on-farm research plot sites throughout the state. (click to enlarge)

The publication summarizes the results of these field studies and adds new insights on how grass seed crop residue management influences nutrients and nutrient management decisions.  The photo above shows the rakes, flail mowers, vacuum-sweepers, propane flamer, weigh wagons (for determining seed yield), and the vehicles used to move the team’s equipment.

The publication can be obtained by following the link below:

Postharvest Residue Management for Grass Seed Production in Western Oregon EM 9051

Here’s a link to a story by Mitch Lies of the Capital Press on the research and extension team as well as their approach to the problem:

Burning decrease changed valley farming

Science, public policy and seed production

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Thomas G. Chastain

Even the small and seemingly calm world of seed production is not free from controversial issues.  There’s been a general failure in our society to achieve civil public discourse on matters of science and public policy.  Winning the day at all costs trumps development of meaningful solutions to vexing problems.  Unfortunately, winning the war of words is too often of paramount importance to activists and advocates and so truth and its scientific basis is often sacrificed in the cause of victory.

Perennial ryegrass spikelet (T.G. Chastain photo)

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Post-harvest residue management for fine fescue seed crops

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Thomas G. Chastain

Three closely related species of Festuca exhibiting fine leaf texture are commercially important turfgrasses and are known collectively as the fine fescues.  These species are Chewings fescue (CF)[F. rubra L. subsp. fallax (Thuill.) Nyman], strong creeping red fescue (strong CRF)(F. rubra L. subsp. rubra), and slender creeping red fescue (slender CRF)[F. rubra L. var. littoralis (Vasey)].  While fine fescue species are morphologically similar in many characteristics, strong CRF and slender CRF produce rhizomes, but CF does not.

The stubble and straw remaining in grass seed fields after harvesting seed is known as residue.  Post-harvest residue burning has been justified on the basis of pest control and stimulation of seed yield.  Public concern over air quality and the potential for adverse health impacts on the region’s residents has necessitated the identification of alternative residue management practices.  Recent Oregon legislation (SB 528) has, in effect, ended the practice of field burning in the state for most species except for the fine fescues.  A better understanding of species-specific responses to residue management in the fine fescues will permit producers to choose the appropriate alternative practices should further restrictions become law.

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

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