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No-Till Farming Showing Signs of Success in the Horse Heaven Hills

Submitted by Amanda Ettestad, Resource Conservationist, Prosser

In 2005, Donald Walker decided it was time to try something different.  As a third generation Horse Heaven Hills wheat farmer, he had seen the problems that wind erosion can cause in the area.  He was also interested in ways to save soil moisture and reduce fuel costs.  At the time, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) was offering cost-share incentive through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) for no-till/direct seed management.  Walker decided he’d give it a try.

In an area where 6-7 inches of annual precipitation produces a 30 bushel wheat crop every two years (on a good year!), changing the way you farm can be risky business.  Direct seed had been shown to work well in other parts of the state and country, but as it is often said, Horse Heaven Hills is not like other parts.  Many farmers had concerns about losing moisture and producing even lower yields using no-till techniques.  Some associated no-till farming with continuous cropping which has not shown to be profitable in this part of the country.  Although Walker shared some of these concerns, he decided to take the plunge and see how he could make it work.

 Walker applied for and was awarded an EQIP contract for 336 acres of wheat ground using no-till management practices.  The field he enrolled is adjacent to Highway 221.  This highway has been notorious for poor visibility during wind storms and has even had some fatal accidents during the worst conditions.  The dust problem really concerned Walker, as he didn’t want to be responsible for someone’s death.

 Today, Walker is very happy with his decision to try no-till farming.  He’s seen a significant decrease in wind erosion using no-till practices.  And, as he had hoped, he’s seen his input costs drop significantly.  His calculations show he’s saving 33 percent of his input costs, mainly due to reducing fuel use.  He has also observed better seeding conditions compared to conventional or mulch till fields when he seeds later in the year (October to November).  “The ground is firmer and the moisture is where you need it,” says Walker.

 Although last year he saw relatively the same yield from conventional, mulch till and no-till fields, he isn’t yet ready to commit to saying the yield won’t be affected.  He says you need more than a few years experience to come to a real conclusion about that.

 His success can be attributed to a number of things.  First, he says you have to disconnect the association of no-till with continuous cropping – it’s not the same thing.  Walker continued to use a winter wheat/summer fallow rotation and is happy he did.  Also, he invested in the right equipment.  “This won’t work with conventional drills” he says.  Perhaps one of the biggest advantages is his willingness to take the risk and try something new.  “Some people probably thought I was nuts to try no-till,” he says.  “Although someone did tell me they were glad I broke the ice and tried it.  I’m probably the biggest guinea pig up here!”

 Walker has now converted more than 1,500 acres over to no-till farming and plans to add more.  Eventually he’d like to have at least 50 percent of the ground he farms in no-till.  One thing is for sure - Walker says “That first field I signed up in EQIP by the highway will always be no-till -  with or without programs.”

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