Cover Crops in the Low-Rainfall, Wheat-Fallow Region of Eastern Washington

A large number of producers across the Inland Northwest are interested in integrating Cover Crops into their winter wheat-summer fallow rotation. Cover Crops have been utilized extensively in the Midwest and the eastern United States, where summer precipitation is prevalent, to build soil organic matter, reduce soil temperature and fertility inputs and improve farm sustainability. Because Cover Crops have not been evaluated in the 8 to 12-inch, non-irrigated rainfall zone, Inland Northwest producers have been hesitant to integrate them into their production systems. Cover Crops in the low rainfall regions have the potential to reduce soil moisture and therefore reduce the yields of the successive crop. Following the recent National Forum on Cover Crops and Soil Health, producers became interested in conducting on-farm demonstrations to improve soil health through Cover Crops. This project will support collaboration with producers to examine the feasibility of planting Cover Crops in the low-rainfall, non-irrigated wheat-fallow region of Washington. By closely monitoring soil moisture and other parameters, producers will gain more information and knowledge on the use and feasibility of Cover Crops in the area and the best way to include Cover Crops in their rotation.