Progress 10/01/10 to 09/30/15

Outputs
Target Audience:Agricultural-based economies are facing unprecedented challenges because of global market realities, decreasing market prices, and increasing input costs. Rural communities dependent on agriculture are struggling to become more sustainable. This is especially critical for western North Dakota and eastern Montana because of geographic location and climate have few other business opportunities. The development of productive, profitable, and sustainable dryland and irrigated cropping systems addressing the soil and water limitations of the area is essential if farmers of the region are going to compete in the world marketing system. This research will help local farmers to become more productive, profitable, and sustainable by providing them with knowledge of how to use soil and water resources more efficiently. As farmers become more profitable, the agri-businesses will also become more profitable and sustainable. The target audiences include local farmers, agri-business people, policy makers, and agriculture students. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Farmers want to know if varying crop management, e.g. fertilizer application, at different locations within a field will increase input efficiency and profitability. In semiarid regions water is the most common limiting factor for crop production, however, little information is available regarding the variability of soil water within an individual field. A dryland study investigated how much plant soil water varied at ten different landscape positions within an 8-hectare field. The amount of soil water in the 120-mm soil profile was measured each week from spring thaw until fall freeze-up. Initially, only a single cropping history (continuously cropped) was investigated. A second measurement site was added at each landscape position in 2012 and a third measurement site was added at each landscape position in 2013. These new sites are alternately cropped and uncropped. This allowed comparison among three cropping histories (cropped every year, cropped after being fallowed the previous year, and fallowed after being cropped the previous year) during subsequent years. Soil water content at the time of planting varied among years and field locations and was dependent on the amount of soil water at the time of harvest of the previous crop and the amount of recharge that occurred between harvest and planting. The difference among field locations (112 mm between the driest and the wettest field locations) was greater than the difference among years (81 mm between the driest and wettest year). Previous research indicates that an additional 112 mm of water can increase hard red spring wheat yield by 1500 to 2000 kg per hectare. This research showed the variation of soil water within a field substantially affects crop yield variation. Water for irrigation is becoming limited, causing farmers to inquire if crop yields will be affected when irrigation amounts are reduced. To address these inquires, an on-going irrigated study investigated the effect of reduced irrigation amounts on yield and quality of sugarbeet, durum, barley, and potato. Soil water was measured weekly and used to determine the amount of irrigation needed to maintain the soil water content at field capacity. This was considered the full irrigation amount. The other irrigation amounts investigated were no irrigation and 33% and 67% of the full irrigation amount. Reduced irrigation had a mixed effect on crop yields during the five growing seasons of 2011 to 2015. For sugarbeet, reducing the irrigation amount by 33% never decreased beet yield; reducing the irrigation amount by 67% did not decrease yield in three of the five years. For durum, reducing the irrigation rate by 33% did not decrease yield in three of the five years and reducing the irrigation amount by 67% did not decrease the yields in two of five years. Reducing irrigation amount by 33% never decreased grain test weight and reducing irrigation by 67% did not decrease grain test weight in four of five years. Reducing irrigation amount by either 33% or 67% never decreased grain protein content. For barley, reducing irrigation amount by 33% did not decrease yield in four of the five years and reducing the irrigation amount by 67% did not decrease the yields in three of five years. Reducing irrigation amount by 33% never decreased grain test weight and reducing irrigation by 67% did not decrease grain in four of five years. Reducing irrigation amount by either 33% or 67% never decreased grain protein content. For potato, reducing irrigation amount by either 33% or 67% did not decrease yield in two of four years (data from 2014 unavailable). A study was started in 2013 to investigate use of diverse dryland crop rotations to improve soil health, crop production, precipitation use, and economic sustainability. This is a long-term, inter-disciplinary, research project involving multiple collaborators. Eleven different crop sequences were selected for investigation: five that follow a pre-determined sequence and six in which the crops is selected each year based on the current market and environmental conditions. As part of this study, measurements of water content in the upper 1.2 m of the soil were started in June 2014 and have been taken weekly during the growing season. During both the 2014 and 2015 growing seasons, soil water content began to decrease in June and continued to decrease until the time of crop maturity, which varied depending on type of crop. After crop maturity the soil water increased when rain occurred. During the last half of the 2014 hydrological year (mid-June to early November), soil water content decreased in 17 of the 20 crop sequences. The average change was a 44-mm loss. During the 2015 hydrological year (mid-November 2014 to mid-November 2015), soil water content decreased in 6 of the 20 crop sequences. The average change was a 17-mm gain. The five cropping sequences planted to durum in 2015 provided the opportunity to examine the relationship between soil water availability and yield. Crop water use, calculated as soil water depletion plus rain, ranged from 221 to 285 mm. Yields ranged from 1.8 to 3.0 Mg per hectare and was highly correlated with available water. Linear regression indicated that 128 mm of water was needed to grow the durum crop and 20 kg per hectare of grain was produced for each additional millimeter of water (r squared=95%). The range in soil water content between the driest and wettest crop sequences was three times greater at time of planting than at time of harvest (91 mm vs 31 mm, respectively). This indicates that the amount of water available for use by the crop was largely determined by the soil water content at time of planting, which in turn was determined primarily by the species of crop grown the previous year. Thus the yield of a crop may be greatly influenced by how much the previous crop depleted the soil water.

Publications

• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: NDSU Williston Research Extension Center and MSU Eastern Ag Research Center. Agricultural Research Update. Regional Report No. 20. December, 2014. 76 pages.

Progress 10/01/13 to 09/30/14

Outputs
Target Audience: Agricultural-based economies are facing unprecedented challenges because of global market realities, decreasing market prices, and increasing input costs. Rural communities dependent on agriculture are struggling to become more sustainable. This is especially critical for western North Dakota and eastern Montana, which because of geography and climate have few other business opportunities. The development of productive, profitable, and sustainable dryland and irrigated cropping systems addressing the soil and water limitations of the area is essential if farmers of the region are going to compete in the world marketing system. This research will help local farmers to become more productive, profitable, and sustainable by providing them with knowledge of how to use soil and water resources more efficiently. As farmers become more profitable, the local businesses they patronize will also become more profitable and sustainable. The target audiences include local farmers, agri-business people, policy makers, and agriculture students. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Project personnel attended the Mon-Dak Ag Showcase, an annual 2-day event that includes tours and seminars. The event showcases the area's potential and progress as a viable ag-producing area and presents new farming techniques to improve environmental and economic sustainability. Speakers include researchers and industry experts from multiple states. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? The information gained from this research was delivered to the target audiences via multiple field tours at both the dryland and irrigated research sites, and by indoor presentations (i.e., workshops and classroom instruction). Local extension personnel also assisted in the delivery of this information. Specific events include Maximize Your Irrigation $$$ Irrigation Workshop (2013-12-18), WREC Advisory Board Meeting (2012-12-19), WREC Dryland Field Day (2014-07-10), WREC Irrigated Field Day (2014-07-11), and William County Soil and Water Conservation District Eco-Ed Event (2014?09?11 & 12). What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Previous studies at the Williston Research Extension Center have found that crop-related differences in soil water often persist into the next year and impact the yield of a subsequent crop. Thus crop management practices for water conservation must be selected based on the entire crop rotation, rather than on a single cropping year. Year to year variation in precipitation necessitates the collection of data during several growing seasons to accurately determine which agronomic management practices are the most water-use efficient. The dryland crop rotation study is in the early stages. The crop sequences have been in place for two years, but one complete 5-year cycle must be completed before starting to measure the effect of crop rotations. Measurements of soil quality factors will begin this coming year. Three different cropping situations were added to a dryland, landscape-position study two years ago. Including additional crops in comparisons of soil water use in cropped versus uncropped areas will widen the applicability of the results. An area on the dryland station has an elevated ground water table resulting in preventive planting conditions and saline soil. In August 2014, ten shallow ground water wells were installed to monitor the shallow groundwater level during the next year and identify the source of the saline seep. From this data, a reclamation plan will be developed and implemented. This project will serve as an educational demonstration on how to reclaim saline-affected areas for crop production.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? In semiarid areas such as western North Dakota, water is often the limiting factor for crop growth. For agriculture to remain both ecologically and economically sustainable in these areas, efficient use of water is paramount. Dryland and irrigated studies are being conducted to determine agronomic management practices that promote efficient use of water. A study investigating diversifying dryland crop rotations to improve soil health, crop production, precipitation-use, and economic sustainability was started in 2013. This is a long-term, inter-disciplinary, research project involving multiple collaborators. Eleven different crop sequences are under investigation: five which follow a pre-determined sequence and six in which the crops will be selected each year based on the current market and environmental conditions. Because each phase of the pre-determined rotations are planted each year, there will be 20 different "experimental treatments" (i.e., crop sequences) each year. In June, access tubes, which allow measurement of soil water at five soil depths, were installed in each plot. Soil water was measured once each week from mid-June through early-November 2014. Because the first measurement was not made until mid-June, the soil water content on that date was affected by both the current crop and the previous crop. During the 2014 season, the changes in soil water content for all crop sequences followed the same general trend. The soil water content decreased from mid-June until mid-July for short-season crops, until mid-August for full-season crops, and until mid-September for sunflower. Then in the later part of the season, the soil water increased. The soil was drier in mid-November than in mid-June (i.e., a net loss of water occurred) for all but three of the crop sequences. These three sequences that had a net gain were also the three sequences that were driest in June, but were not the wettest in November. These 2014 data indicate that whether a particular crop sequence had a net gain or a net loss during the growing season was determined by the previous crop rather than the current crop. Another dryland study is investigating how much soil water is extracted by three different cropping systems at ten different landscape positions within a field. The three cropping situations are 1) cropped every year, 2) cropped after being fallowed the previous year, and 3) fallowed after being cropped the previous year. Soil water content was measured weekly from spring thaw until fall freeze-up. In 2014, the field was planted to dry pea, which is considered a low water-use crop for the region. At the beginning of the growing season (mid-April), areas that had been fallowed during the previous season had double the amount of plant-available water in the soil than did areas that had been cropped during the previous season. From mid-April to mid-May, all areas of the field increased in soil water. From mid-May through mid-November, the areas that were fallowed this year maintained a constant amount of soil water. During the same time, the areas that were cropped this year lost soil water until mid-July and then gained soil water until late-September. Even though all the areas that were cropped this year followed this trend, those areas that were cropped last season remained drier than the areas that were fallowed last season. This demonstrates that in some situations, the effects of soil water extraction by a crop may persist for more than a single growing season. An irrigated study is investigating the effect of reduced irrigation amounts on yield and quality of sugarbeet, wheat, barley, and potato. The irrigation amounts being investigated are 0, 33, 67, and 100% of the recommended irrigation amounts. In 2014, reducing the irrigation amount decreased the yield of all crops. In sugarbeet, reducing the irrigation amount increased the percent sugar content. In barley, the irrigation amount did not affect grain test weight or protein. In wheat, reducing the irrigation amount reduced the grain test weight but increased the grain protein.

Publications

• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Pradhan, G.P., D. Tanaka, J.A. Staricka, J.W. Bergman, K. Dragseth, C.L. Hill, D. Amiot, and M. Cardillo. 2014. Identifying Cropping Sequences for Sustainable Intensification of Dryland Agroecosystem in the Northern Great Plains. Paper presented at Grand Challenges Great Solutions. ASA, CSSA, and SSA International Annual Meetings, Long Beach, CA. 2-5 Nov. Paper 351-6.
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: MSU Eastern Ag Research Center and NDSU Williston Research Extension Center. Agricultural Research Update. Regional Report No. 19. December, 2013. 68 pages.

Progress 10/01/12 to 09/30/13

Outputs
Target Audience: Agricultural-based economies are facing unprecedented challenges because of global market realities, decreasing market prices, and increasing input costs. Rural communities dependent on agriculture are struggling to become more sustainable. This is especially critical for western North Dakota and eastern Montana, which because of geography and climate have few other business opportunities. The development of productive, profitable, and sustainable dryland and irrigated cropping systems addressing the soil and water limitations of the area is essential if farmers of the region are going to compete in the world marketing system. This research will help local farmers to become more productive, profitable, and sustainable by providing them with knowledge of how to use soil and water resources more efficiently. As farmers become more profitable, the local businesses they patronize will also become more profitable and sustainable. The target audiences include local farmers, agri-business people, policy makers, and agriculture students. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? The information gained from this research was delivered to the target audiences via multiple field tours at both the dryland and irrigated research sites, and by indoor presentations (i.e., workshops and classroom instruction). Local extension personnel also assisted in the delivery of this information. Specific events include WREC Advisory Board Meeting (2012-12-12), Maximize Your Irrigation $$$ Irrigation Workshop (2012-12-18), WREC Dryland Field Day (2013-07-11), WREC Irrigated Field Day (2013-07-12), WSC Introduction to Soil Science Field Trip (2013-09-04), and William County Soil and Water Conservation District Eco-Ed Event (2013-09-12 & 13). What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Previous studies at the Williston Research Extension Center have found that crop-related differences in soil water often persist into the next year and many times impact the yield of a subsequent crop. Thus crop management practices for water conservation must be selected based on the entire crop rotation, rather than on a single cropping year. Year to year variation in precipitation necessitates the collection of data during several growing seasons to accurately determine which agronomic management practices are the most water-use efficient. Including additional crops in comparisons of soil water use in cropped versus uncropped areas is needed to widen the applicability of the results. Measurements will be taken this coming year on winter wheat. The dryland crop rotation study is still in the initiation stage. The crop sequences were started this year, but one complete cycle must be completed before starting to measure the effect of crop rotations. Soil water measurement equipment will be installed this coming year. Also, measurements of soil quality factors will begin. This data will serve as a baseline for the detection of future changes in soil quality. The response to decreased irrigation amounts has varied among years, even for a single crop. This research will be continued to strengthen the database and improve our understanding of the effects of reducing irrigation amounts.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? In semiarid areas such as western North Dakota, water is often the limiting factor for crop growth. For agriculture to remain both ecologically and economically sustainable in these areas, efficient use of water is paramount. Dryland and irrigated studies are being conducted to determine agronomic management practices that promote efficient use of water. A dryland study is investigating how much soil water is extracted by three different cropping systems at ten different landscape positions within a field. The three cropping situations are 1) cropped every summer, 2) cropped this summer after being fallowed the previous summer, and 3) fallowed this summer after being cropped the previous summer. Soil water content was measured weekly from spring thaw until fall freeze-up. In 2013, the field was planted to safflower, which is considered a high water-use crop for the region. At the beginning of the growing season until mid-May, the soil in areas that had been fallowed during the previous season was slightly wetter than the soil in areas that had been cropped. These differences disappeared by mid-May, removing any water benefits to this year’s crop that may have been provided by fallowing last year. From mid-May through the end of June, there were no differences in soil water content among the three cropping systems. From July through the last measurement in mid-November, the soil in areas that had been cropped this year were significantly drier than areas that were fallowed this year. An irrigated study is investigating the effect of reduced irrigation amounts on yield and quality of sugarbeet, wheat, barley, and potato. The irrigation amounts being investigated are 0, 33, 67, and 100% of the recommended irrigation amounts. Additional recording and non-recording rain gauges were acquired this year, which allowed placing a rain gauge in each plot to better monitor the operation of the irrigation system. In 2013, the response to decreasing irrigation amounts varied with crop. Sugarbeet yield and sugar content was unaffected by irrigation amount. Yields of wheat and barley were not significantly decreased by decreased irrigation amounts unless all irrigation was withheld. There were no differences in wheat test weight among irrigation amounts. The only difference in wheat protein was that the unirrigated wheat had a significantly greater protein content than did the fully irrigated wheat. The only difference in barley test weight was that the unirrigated barley had a significantly greater test weight than did the fully irrigated barley. There were no differences in barley protein content among irrigation amounts. A new study investigating diversifying dryland crop rotations to improve soil health, crop production, precipitation-use, and economic sustainability was started in 2013. This will be a long-term research project involving multiple researchers from various disciplines. This year, the cropping sequences to be investigated were identified, a site was selected, plots were laid out, and first-year crops were grown. Samples of grain and above-ground biomass were taken and yield and quality measurements were made.

Publications

• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: MSU Eastern Ag Research Center and NDSU Williston Research Extension Center. Agricultural Research Update. Regional Report No. 18. December, 2012. 68 pages.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Tjelde, T.; Staricka, J. 2013. Comparing Tillage Systems (conventional, minimum, no-till) with Overhead Irrigation Using a 3-year Crop Rotation of Corn, Soybean, and Barley. https://scisoc.confex.com/crops/2013am/webprogram/Paper82514.html. Agronomy Abstracts 2013. American Society of Agronomy.

Progress 10/01/11 to 09/30/12

Outputs
OUTPUTS: In semiarid areas such as western North Dakota, water is often the limiting factor for crop growth. For agriculture to remain both ecologically and economically sustainable in these areas, efficient use of water is paramount. Dryland and irrigated studies are being conducted to determine agronomic management practices that promote efficient use of water. A dryland study is investigating how much soil water is extracted by a growing crop at different landscape positions within a field. Soil water content was measured weekly at paired sites (one cropped, one uncropped) located at ten landscape positions within a field. In 2012, the field was planted to lentil, which is considered a low water use crop. From April through June there were no differences in soil water content between the cropped and uncropped areas, however, from July through October, the soil in the cropped areas was significantly drier than the soil in the uncropped areas. The difference between the two treatments was greatest at the time of harvest (early August). At that time, the additional amount of soil water removed by lentil, relative to the uncropped area, was 25% of the soil's total plant available water holding capacity. Although the difference decreased afterwards, it persisted during the remainder of the year. An irrigated study is investigating the effect of reduced irrigation amounts on yield and quality of potato, wheat, barley, and sugarbeet. The irrigation amounts being investigated are 0, 33, 67, and 100% of the recommended irrigation amounts. In 2012, the yield of all crops decreased with decreasing water amounts but the response of the quality factors varied with crop and factor. Reducing the irrigation to 67% of the recommended rate reduced the yield of potato and wheat but did not reduce the yield of sugarbeet or barley. The only quality factor affected by this reduction was the barley plump rating. In previous years, reducing the irrigation rate to 67% of the recommended rate did not reduce yield of any of the four crops and had very limited effect on crop quality. PARTICIPANTS: James Staricka (PI) oversaw all aspects of the research including design, sampling, analyses, and reporting. Tyler Tjelde, Irrigation Agronomist, managed the Nesson Valley irrigation research site and served as principal investigator on irrigation projects. Cameron Wahlstrom, Irrigation Specialist, provided scientific support of irrigated research. Chet L. Hill, Ag Diversification/Value-Added Specialist, coordinated extension efforts. Jerald W. Bergman, Branch Station Director, oversaw station operations. Kyle Dragseth, Ag Research Technician, and Sanford Qvale, Seed Production Specialist, provided technical support of dryland research. Sara Brogger, Ag Research Specialist, processed yield and biomass samples of the studies. Gaylin Moe, Field Representative; J. R. Simplot Company, provided yield determination and quality analysis of potatoes. Bill Sheldon, Farmer Cooperator, was responsible for planting, pest control, and harvesting of potatoes. TARGET AUDIENCES: This research will help local farmers to become more productive, profitable, and sustainable by providing them with knowledge of how to use soil and water resources more efficiently. As farmers become more profitable, the local businesses they patronize will also become more profitable and sustainable. The target audiences include local farmers, agri-businesspeople, policy makers, and agriculture students. The information gained from this research was delivered to the target audiences via multiple field tours at both the dryland and irrigated research sites, and by indoor presentations (i.e., workshops and classroom instruction). Local extension personnel also assisted in the delivery of this information. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
Agricultural-based economies are facing unprecedented challenges because of global market realities, decreasing market prices, and increasing input costs. Rural communities dependent on agriculture are struggling to become more sustainable. This is especially critical for western North Dakota and eastern Montana, which because of geography and climate have few other business opportunities. The development of productive, profitable, and sustainable dryland and irrigated cropping systems addressing the soil and water limitations of the area is essential if farmers of the region are going to compete in the world marketing system. Previous studies at the Williston Research Extension Center have found that crop-related differences in soil water often persist into the next year and many times impact the yield of a subsequent crop. Thus crop management practices for water conservation must be selected based on the entire crop rotation, rather than on a single cropping year. The differences in crop yields that are observed among landscape positions may be partially explained by differences in soil water content among landscape positions at planting. These differences must be one of the aspects considered when developing precision (i.e. soil specific) crop management systems. Year to year variation in precipitation necessitates the collection of data during several growing seasons to accurately determine which agronomic management practices are the most water-use efficient. Research to maximize water use efficiency in the semi-arid northern Great Plains is continuing.

Publications

• Bergman, J.W.; Riveland, N.R.; Eckhoff, J.L.A.; Staricka, J.A.; and Bradbury, G.T. 2011. 2011 Agricultural Research Update. NDSU Williston Research Extension Center and MSU Eastern Ag Research Center. Regional Report No. 17. 62 pages.
• Franzen, D.; Long, D.; Sims, A.; Lamb, J.; Casey, F.; Staricka, J.; Halvorson, M.; and Hofman, V. 2011. Evaluation of methods to determine residual soil nitrate zones across the northern Great Plains of the USA. Precision Agriculture. 12:594-606.

Progress 10/01/10 to 09/30/11

Outputs
OUTPUTS: As part of a cooperative study investigating the effect of previous crop on barley performance, soil water use by barley following six different crops was measured each week during the growing season. During the 2010 growing season, the six antecedent crops differed in terms of the amount of available soil water remaining at the end of the growing season. The record amount of snow received during the 2010-2011 winter completely recharged the soil profile. This obliterated the differences in available soil water at barley planting and removed it as a determinant of barley yield. In 2011, there were differences in soil water use and yield of barley related to antecedent crop. Water use and yield appeared to be only weakly related. Barley following broadleaf crops generally removed more water from the soil and had greater yields than did barley following cereal crops. Another study is investigating how plant available soil water content varies with landscape position. Soil water content was measured weekly at ten landscape positions in an 8-ha field. During the 10-year period of this study, this year the soil was the wettest ever at planting but was near average wetness at harvest. The amount of soil water lost between planting and harvest was the second greatest ever. The range of water loss among the ten landscape positions was the second greatest ever. A cooperative project by NDSU and NRCS personnel is investigating weed control methods in tree plantings for windbreaks. The weed control methods being compared are warm-season grasses, cool-season grasses, and tillage. The comparison is being made at four different locations within the windbreak. Soil water content in the upper 1.2 m is measured weekly from April through November. In April 2011, the soil water content was near field capacity and decreased steadily until nearly reaching wilting point in early August. The differences in soil water content among the weed control treatments and among the locations within the windbreak were insignificant during the entire 2011 growing season. This differed from previous years, when there were differences among locations within the windbreak, especially during the early part of the growing season. During the 7 years of this study, the differences in water content among locations in the windbreak have exceeded the differences among weed control methods. A study is investigating the effect of reduced irrigation amounts on the yield and quality of potato, wheat, barley, and sugarbeet. The water amounts investigated were 0, 33, 66, and 100% of the recommended amounts. In 2011, yield of all crops responded positively to increasing water amounts, but the quality response varied depending on crop and quality factor. The greater than normal precipitation during this and previous growing seasons has made it difficult to determine adequate water requirements for the various crops. PARTICIPANTS: James Staricka (PI) oversaw all aspects of the research including design, sampling, analyses, and reporting. Tyler Tjelde, Irrigation Agronomist, managed the Nesson Valley irrigation research site and served as principal investigator on irrigation projects. Neil Riveland, Branch Station Assistant Director, managed the dryland research site and oversaw research resources including land, equipment, infrastructure, and personnel. Cameron Wahlstrom, Irrigation Specialist, provided scientific support of irrigated research. Jerald W. Bergman, Branch Station Director, oversaw station operations. Lorna Bradbury, horticulturist, was co-investigator of the tree row study. Sanford Qvale, Seed Production Specialist, and Kyle Dragseth, Ag Research Technician, provided technical support of dryland research. Sara Brogger, Ag Research Specialist, processed yield and biomass samples of the studies. Gaylin Moe, Field Representative; J. R. Simplot Company, provided yield determination and quality analysis of potatoes. Bill Sheldon, Farmer Cooperator, was responsible for planting, pest control, and harvesting of potatoes. TARGET AUDIENCES: This research will help local farmers to become more productive, profitable, and sustainable by providing them with knowledge of how to use soil and water resources more efficiently. As farmers become more profitable, the local businesses they patronize will also become more profitable and sustainable. The target audiences include local farmers, agri-businesspeople, policy makers, and agriculture students. The information gained from this research was delivered to the target audiences via multiple field tours at both the dryland and irrigated research sites, and by indoor presentations (i.e., workshops and classroom instruction). Local extension personnel also assisted in the delivery of this information. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.

Impacts
Agricultural-based economies are facing unprecedented challenges because of global market realities, decreasing market prices, and increasing input costs. Rural communities dependent on agriculture are struggling to become more sustainable. This is especially critical for western North Dakota and eastern Montana, which because of geography and climate have few other business opportunities. The development of productive, profitable, and sustainable dryland and irrigated cropping systems addressing the soil and water limitations of the area is essential if farmers of the region are going to compete in the world marketing system. Previous studies at the Williston Research Extension Center have found that crop-related differences in soil water often persist into the next year and many times impact the yield of a subsequent crop. This did not happen in 2011 and is likely related to the record amount of snow that was received during the 2010-2011 winter. The differences in crop yields that are observed among landscape positions may be partially explained by differences in soil water content among landscape positions at planting. Large differences in the amount of snow catch often exist within tree row windbreaks. This causes spatial differences in springtime soil water content within a windbreak that overshadow any differences in soil water content due to weed control methods. The greater than normal precipitation during recent growing seasons has made it difficult to determine adequate water requirements for several irrigated crops, but research to maximize water use efficiency with irrigation is continuing.

Publications

• Bergman, J.W.; Riveland, N.R.; Eckhoff, J.L.A.; Staricka, J.A.; and Bradbury, G.T. 2010. 2010 Agricultural Research Update. NDSU Williston Research Extension Center and MSU Eastern Ag Research Center. Regional Report No. 16. 56 pages.
• Franzen, D., R. Jay Goos, R. J. Norman, T. W. Walker, T. L. Roberts, N. A. Slaton, G. Endres, R. Ashley, J. Staricka, and J. Lukach. 2011. Field And Laboratory Studies Comparing Nutrisphere-Nitrogen Urea With Urea In North Dakota, Arkansas, And Mississippi. Journal of Plant Nutrition 34:1198-1222.
• Franzen, D.W., G. Endres, R. Ashley, J. Staricka, J. Lukach, and K. McKay. 2011. Revising Nitrogen Recommendations for Wheat in Response to the Need for Support of Variable-Rate Nitrogen Application. Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology A1:89-95.