Overall Objectives

The Oilseed Farm-to-Market Demonstration project’s overall objectives are:

            -increase awareness of the benefits of oilseed crops within a rotation (agronomics)

            -increase general information on the value-added opportunities in oilseed crops (economics)

Project’s Background

Whitman Conservation District has a successful history of seeking alternative ways for producers to create a sustainable farm through different farming systems, alternative crops and rotations, and conservation practices.

Oilseed Farm-to-Market Demonstration is a continuation of the 2003 completed District project, Oilseed Survey-What is Breakeven? Which resulted in a Washington State University published paper: “Cost of Producing Canola and Mustard Oilseeds in Eastern Washington and North Central Idaho”. Herb Hinman, WSU Farm Management Specialist has recently updated the survey results to reflect current rates and is available on-line at http:;;farm-mgmt.wsu.edu/nonirr.htm.

Individual Objectives

The objectives of the project Oilseed Farm-to-Market Demonstration are to use the direct seed system as the base farming technique and to work with the participating producers to grow oilseed crops in rotation; then to evaluate with the producer the economics of by-product marketing versus the seed sale.

Whitman Conservation District’s activities include working with five producers in three different rainfall zones (12-15”; 16-18”; 19-21”) to evaluate a three-year crop rotation that includes an oilseed crop.

Different varieties of canola, mustard or rapeseed will be used and compared.

A three-year cycle of recording oilseed crop growing conditions; benefits to other crops in the rotation; and monitoring pest and weed control will be completed.

A portable farm-scale oilseed crusher has been purchased and assembled to assist the project participants in the crushing of oilseed, creating the by-products, oil and meal, for market.

The project will assist in marketing of the by-products.

A three-year market analysis of the oilseed by-products will be completed to determine the added-value as a farm commodity.

User friendly forums of information/education and outreach programs will be provided, which includes demonstrations of the portable farm-scale oilseed crusher.

Economic Impact

If the findings of this project were to be adopted as a sustainable direct seed farming system, two economic impacts that would be seen are:

            - the reduced use of diesel fuel from approximately six gallons per acre to two gallons per acre

            - by adding an oilseed to the rotation, the marketability is increased from one product (crop) to two by-products (oil and meal)

            - proper crop rotations can reduce the use of crop chemicals, assist with weed control and can increase the wheat crop yields

Natural Resource Impact

The project uses the direct seed system as a base due to its many environmental benefits to soil, air, water quality and wildlife; enhancements occur through:

            - reduced soil erosion

            - reduced sediment in the streams and rivers

            - reduced blowing dust

            - reduced phosphorous, nitrogen and pesticides in surface waters

            - overall improvement in soil quality/health

The direct seed system crop residue remains on the field throughout the year thereby providing food and cover to wildlife.

Proper crop rotations can reduce weeds, diseases, and insect pressure; and improve soil health and fertility.

Project Contacts

Whitman Conservation District (Lead)             509.397.4636, ext 120

Kimberly Morse

805 S Vista Point Dr #2

Colfax WA 99111

Natural Resources Conservation Service             509.397.4636, ext 117

Dennis Roe

805 S Vista Point Dr #2

Colfax WA 99111

Pine Creek Conservation District               509.285.5122

Raymond Brown

S411 SR 27

Oakesdale WA 99158

GRANT FUNDING received from USDA-Sustainable Agriculture, Research & Education with