Alternative crops to diversify the traditional winter wheat/fallow cropping system in Northwest COlorado

Alternative crops to diversify the traditional winter wheat/fallow cropping system in Northwest COlorado

Summary

Our project to look at alternative crops to diversify traditional winter wheat/fallow cropping systems in Northwest Colorado has frankly been a real challenge. We were awarded the grant in winter 2011, but Congress hadn’t authorized the funds so we had to wait on that to start out with. 2012 was one of the wettest years on record, and we don’t believe that one year’s data is representative of crop yields in the area. Going forward, we almost considered stopping the project. Our data is suspect, with great yields in the wettest year of 2011 and no yields in 2012 because it was the driest year on record! After a meeting in early January 2013, I and the other two cooperators decided we still want to plant large-scale Winter Canola plots in 2013. Our data from the 2012 planting will indicate their value, and this crop are also readily marketable.

Objectives/Performance Targets

The major objective of this three-year research/demonstration project is to develop a continuous winter wheat/winter pea cropping system in NW Colorado. A secondary objective is to evaluate additional alternative crops that could be grown to further diversify crop production in NW Colorado. These additional crops are oilseed crops. The three oilseed crops that will be evaluated are winter canola, winter camelina and flax. Lupine will also be evaluated for its potential in the region. Winter peas will be tested in large plots (50 acres) at two sites (Craig – 13-inch precip, 115-day growing season and Hayden – 17-inch precip, 90-day growing season). Clay loam soils are the major soil type in both locations. Embedded in each large plot will be small test plots of different varieties of winter peas. Small test plots will be used to evaluate the four alternative crops at one location. 2011 – obtain seed, prepare plot plans, check equipment, plant winter peas and oilseed crops in late September. 2012 – make presentation at grower meeting held during January. Field tour during July. Harvest during August. Plant winter peas and oilseed crops in late September. Analyze and summarize data during fall. Prepare reports and articles. 2013 – make presentation at grower meeting held during January. Field tour during July. Harvest during August. Analyze and summarize data during fall. Prepare final reports and articles

Accomplishments/Milestones

After receiving the funds we were able to plant a large-scale (approximately 30 acres) test plot of peas. We also planted two research trials of Camelina and Flax late in the year, planting in late May. Yield data was collected on all three crops, as well as soil data before and after the peas were planted, to estimate increases in nitrogen yields. That yield data is available upon request. As noted, the ironic thing is that 2012 was one of the wettest years on record, and we don’t believe that one year’s data is representative of crop yields in the area! In fall 2011 we had planned on planting large-scale plots (10 or greater acres) of winter canola. We did not accomplish that due to not sourcing seed soon enough to be planted in that fall. The year 2012 also turned into a challenge in that it turned out to be one of the driest years on record, and our research plots of peas, Camelina and flax did not even germinate! They were planted in spring 2012. In fall 2012 we were able to source winter Canola seed and did plant about 10 acres of that crop.

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

The harvested peas were sold to the local feed mill and made into livestock protein supplement for sheep producers. This demonstrated that we could grow a local protein source and not truck it in. The mill did have some challenges using the peas but made them work. They could be used if planed again. Pre- and post- soil test data on the field where the peas were planted showed an approximate increase in available nitrogen of 30 pounds per acre. This is a significant amount of nitrogen and clearly demonstrates a pea crop in a wheat fallow rotation will improve soil fertility, as is one of the project’s objectives. The flax and Camelina oil crops planted in a research trial also yielded well, but no local market for these crops currently exists except on a very small scale to human herbal markets or specialty livestock feed markets. We can demonstrate we can grow peas, but we don’t have the necessary combine header to harvest them effectively. Until we can see more clearly that peas really are a crop for Northwest Colorado and should be part of our rotation, they won’t ever become a major crop here. They do have potential.

Collaborators: