Agricultural producer, Paul Sorenson, standing in new growth timothy that was seeded directly
into sudan stubble.
Upper Yakima, Kittitas County, Ellensburg
Direct seeded timothy into sudan cover crop
Paul Sorenson, agricultural producer, Natural Resources Conservation
Service
Utilizing direct seed in a traditionally tilled operation to improve soil
quality and timothy hay production
Conservation technical assistance was provided by the Natural Resources
Conservation Service (NRCS) in applying the direct
seed method to a field that was traditionally tilled. After a herbicide
application following an orchard grass crop in mid-September of the previous
year, the field was drilled with a sudan grass cover crop in mid-April the
following spring and later baled in early September. After a herbicide
application around September 10th, the field was seeded with timothy and
irrigated.
By utilizing the direct seed method, Paul was able reduce his tillage passes
across the field by a minimum of six times thus drastically reducing fuel usage
and CO2 emissions. Soil quality is improved by maintaining a
more suitable structure before going back into timothy hay production.
After utilizing a different method in his timothy hay production, Paul has seen
the benefits of utilizing direct seed in his operation. In addition to a
healthy and productive crop, this practice has a definite impact on the natural
resources involved. Utilizing fewer fossil fuels improves air quality and will
have both a short and long-term benefit on the environment. Reducing
tillage practices will improve soil quality and structure, providing a foundation
for healthy crop production for years to come.
Eric Peitz, NRCS, Ellensburg (509) 925-8585 ext. 107
Sarah Troutman-Zahn, NRCS Ellensburg, (509) 925-8585 ext. 108
