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CapitalPress.com
Friday, April 16, 2021
People & Places
Boosting Kentucky bluegrass seed yields
By MATTHEW WEAVER
Capital Press
Established 1928
PULLMAN, Wash. —
Xin Xin hopes to help Ken-
tucky bluegrass farmers
increase seed yields through
her groundbreaking genetic
research.
Xin, a Chinese Ph.D. stu-
dent at Washington State
University, is studying how
Kentucky bluegrass genes
respond to vernalization, the
process of boosting flower
development.
Warmer winters can delay
or reduce flowering, which
decreases the production of
seeds and their quality.
Xin works with profes-
sor Michael Neff in WSU’s
grass breeding program. The
Washington Turfgrass Seed
Commission funds their
research.
Xin’s work led to a col-
laboration with USDA Agri-
cultural Research Service
geneticist Shaun Bushman,
who sequenced the Kentucky
bluegrass genome. Bush-
man’s information is a “game
changer” for WSU’s breed-
ing program, Neff said.
“If (Xin’s) work does not
have an immediate impact on
yield, the genetic informa-
tion she is learning is likely
to improve our breeding
efforts,” Neff said.
Xin and other research-
ers are studying plant growth
regulators as a potential solu-
tion for the lack of vernal-
ization. They want to find
the best application rates and
timing.
‘Obsessed’ with biology
Xin grew up in China,
with little farm experience.
Her “obsession” with biol-
ogy in high school led her to
Capital Press Managers
Joe Beach ..................... Editor & Publisher
Western
Innovator
XIN XIN
Matthew Weaver/Capital Press
Washington State University Ph.D. student Xin Xin stud-
ies vernalization in the genetics of Kentucky bluegrass
under professor Michael Neff, right.
choose agriculture as a major
in college. Her undergradu-
ate research project was the
tissue culture of a Chinese
herbal medicine.
“Working at our grass
farm is my first field expe-
rience, and surprisingly I
think I adapted to it well,”
Xin said. “I am lucky to have
a great team working with
me and teaching me all the
techniques.”
Xin first became aware
of WSU when USDA ARS
plant pathologist Xianming
Chen spoke to her college
class. A cousin in Seattle also
recommended WSU to her.
She received a four-year
scholarship from the Chinese
Scholar Council. The coun-
cil works with universities
worldwide to provide oppor-
tunities for Chinese students
students who are interested
in studying abroad. Students
must first receive the condi-
tional offers from the over-
seas universities and then
qualify to apply for the coun-
cil scholarship.
“The selection was com-
petitive and I appreciate this
opportunity,” Xin said.
‘Revolutionary’
research
“A lot of the research
she’s working on is revolu-
tionary, in that it’s never been
done before in this species,”
said Jonathan Schnorr, a fel-
low Ph.D. candidate.
Xin hopes to continue
working in the grass industry,
although she hasn’t decided
whether she’ll return to
China or remain in the U.S.
Jessica Boone ............ Production Manager
Samantha McLaren ....Circulation Manager
Entire contents copyright © 2021
EO Media Group
Title: Ph.D. student,
Washington State
University, Pullman
dba Capital Press
Education: Master of sci-
ence degree, Northwest
A&F University, China
Xin Xin, a Washington State University Ph.D. student, works on the molecular side to
improve Kentucky bluegrass vernalization for farmers.
Carl Sampson .................. Managing Editor
Age: 26
Hometown: Henan
province, China
Matthew Weaver/Capital Press
Anne Long ................Advertising Manager
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“China has a rising mar-
ket for turfgrass, and we
do not have a lot of mature
professional grass breeding
teams at this time,” she said.
Most Chinese families do
not have home lawns, she
said. Real estate companies
tend to buy sod instead of
seeds.
Most cultivars used
in golf courses or other
sports venues in China are
imported from the U.S., she
said, adding that bentgrass,
Kentucky bluegrass and
Bermuda grass are popular
there.
“Xin came to a new coun-
try to work on a plant that
she knew little about,” Neff
said. “Even though the learn-
ing curve has been steep, she
has done a great job on this
project. We are lucky to have
her in our group and look for-
ward to what she learns and
teaches our community.”
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Oregon Ag Fest returns as drive-thru
By SIERRA DAWN McCLAIN
Capital Press
SALEM, Ore. — Oregon Ag Fest
will resume its annual three-day
educational festival this spring, but
with a twist.
Because of COVID-19, the festi-
val will have a drive-thru format.
The event will kick off Friday,
April 23, and continue through Sun-
day, April 25, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
daily. The festival this year will
take place at the Clackamas County
Fairgrounds, 694 NE Fourth Ave.
in Canby, where guests can drive
through various educational farm
exhibits.
The hosts say they’re thrilled to
renew the event, which was can-
celed last year for the first time in 33
years due to the pandemic.
“It was such a bummer to cancel
last year,” said Michele Ruby, a dairy
farmer and the executive director of
Oregon Ag Fest. “I think people are
excited we’re bringing it back, even
with it being the first-ever drive-thru
Ag Fest. We’re already getting super
positive feedback.”
Courtesy of Michele Ruby/Oregon Ag Fest
Oregon Ag Fest, which was can-
celed last year due to COVID-19,
has announced it will resume its
annual three-day educational fes-
tival, this time in a drive-thru for-
mat. The event will be April 23-25.
In 2019, the event drew about
20,000 people.
Oregon Ag Fest is a nonprofit run
by Oregon farmers, farm equipment
manufacturers, feed store owners
and others connected to agriculture.
The purpose of Ag Fest is to high-
light the importance of agriculture,
teaching kids and families about
where their food and fiber come
from.
“Our goal is to help kids gain a
better understanding of the impor-
tance of agriculture to Oregon’s
rural landscape, and to empha-
size that most food starts on a farm
somewhere,” said Macey Wessels,
Oregon Ag Fest chair, who also rep-
resents Boshart Trucking and White-
head Farms.
Tickets — $22 per car — are
already selling online and at about a
dozen Wilco stores across the Willa-
mette Valley.
The event planners encour-
age people to buy tickets online in
advance at www.oragfest.org or at
their local Wilco store because space
is limited.
Ruby said the drive-thru version
of the event will look different and
be a little less hands-on than previ-
ous years. Nevertheless, Ruby said
she believes it will be a fun, educa-
tional activity for kids and families.
This year, visitors can see farm
animals, equipment, plants and a
variety of special exhibits, including
a reforestation exhibit, from the com-
fort of their car.
The festival will have a series of
animal-related activities on rotation
throughout the day, including llamas,
sheep shearing demonstrations and
herding dogs at work.
Another special addition this year
is that kids will leave the event with
an “Ag-venture” kit filled with seed-
lings to plant, activity booklets to fill
out, models to build and special farm
treats.
The festival will also offer drive-
thru food options, including Oregon
Dairy Women’s ice cream and grilled
Tillamook cheddar cheese sand-
wiches. Proceeds from concession
sales will go toward college schol-
arships for agricultural students, the
Oregon Dairy Princess Ambassador
Program and similar programming.
2021’s Ag Fest will feature prod-
ucts and demonstrations from more
than 20 farms and farm partners.
Farmers and others in the agricul-
tural industry interested in participat-
ing in 2022’s Ag Fest can contact the
nonprofit in advance at info@orag-
fest.com or 503-508-2868.
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GS3 Quality Seed purchases KB Seed Solutions
By MITCH LIES
For the Capital Press
GS3 Quality Seed Inc.,
a fourth-generation fami-
ly-owned farm and cover
crop seed provider in Mon-
mouth, Ore., announced
April 8 it has purchased fel-
low cover crop seed com-
pany KB Seed Solutions, of
Harrisburg, Ore.
The acquisition will
allow GS3 Quality Seed to
expand its customer base
and increase sales volume,
according
to
Garth
Mulkey,
w
h
o
founded the
company
with
his
Garth
wife, Susan,
Mulkey
in 2009, and
transformed
it into one of the biggest
cover crop seed providers
on the West Coast.
Mulkey added that GS3
has worked closely with
Nick Bowers and Wayne
Kizer, owners of KB Seed
Solutions, for the past 10
years. KB Seed for many
years marketed one of GS3’s
products, NitroRadish, to
the more than 150 dealers it
formerly worked with in the
Midwest. Bowers and Kizer
will continue to consult with
GS3 under the acquisition
agreement.
Asked why he and Kizer
decided to sell, Bowers said:
“Wayne and I were just both
getting to places in our lives
where we were starting to
think about retiring, and this
opportunity came up to kind
of pass the baton, and it was
a good fit for us.
“Wayne and I have
worked very closely with
Garth over 10 years,” Bow-
ers said. “He knows our
customers and has been
involved in the cover crop
industry. We wanted to see
KB Seed Solutions move
forward with the same integ-
rity we put into promoting
covers.”
Bowers will continue
operating Tydan Farms
with his wife, Donna, while
Kizer will continue oper-
ating Kizer & Son. Kizer
produces annual ryegrass,
orchardgrass, wheat and
meadowfoam, among other
crops.
Tydan
Farms,
a
fourth-generation
fam-
ily farm, grows annual rye-
grass, meadowfoam and
clovers. The farms plan to
continue to grow cover crop
seeds, but now under con-
tract with GS3 Quality Seed.
Letters to the Editor: Send your
comments on agriculture-related public
issues to opinions@capitalpress.com, or
mail your letter to “Opinion,” c/o Capital
Press. Letters should be limited to
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Index
CALENDAR
Submit upcoming ag-related
events on www.capitalpress.com
or by email to newsroom@capital-
press.com.
FRIDAY-SUNDAY
APRIL 23-25
Oregon Ag Fest (drive-thru):
11 a.m.-5 p.m. Clackamas County
Event Center, 694 NE Fourth Ave.,
Canby, Ore. Join us for the Drive Thru
Ag Fest to experience the incred-
ible world of Oregon agriculture,
in a fun-filled, drive thru environ-
ment, and leave our event with an
“Ag-venture” kit filled with activities,
seedlings and more to continue the
fun at home. The three-day event,
aimed to help families better under-
stand where their food, fiber and
flora come from, is a unique learning
experience, where drive-by exhibits
make learning about Oregon’s vast
agricultural industry educational
and entertaining. Tickets are $22 per
vehicle and are available online at
https://oragfest.com/
FRIDAY-SUNDAY MAY
14-16
California FFA’s 93rd State
Leadership Conference (online):
This year California FFA members
from all corners of the state will have
access to the premier leadership
event offered by our association as it
will be delivered through a multi-fac-
eted online platform. The conference
will be three days jam packed with
learning, growth and inspiration.
Website: www.calaged.org
MONDAY-THURSDAY
MAY 24-27
Natural Products Expo West
(online): Virtual presentations and
an online trade show focusing on
natural products and foods. Web-
site: www.expowest.com/
WEDNESDAY-FRIDAY
JUNE 9-11
World Pork Expo: Iowa State
Fairgrounds, Des Moines. The
Dairy .....................................................11
world’s largest pork industry-spe-
cific trade show brings together
pork producers and industry pro-
fessionals from around the world
for three days of education, inno-
vation and networking. Website:
https://worldpork.org/
THURSDAY-
SATURDAY JUNE
24-26
United Fresh Convention
and Expo (in person and online):
Los Angeles Convention Cen-
ter. Whether online or in person,
United Fresh is your partner con-
necting the global fresh produce
industry. Sponsored by the United
Fresh Produce Association and the
Fresh Produce and Floral Coun-
cil. Website: https://www.united-
fresh.org/united-fresh-conven-
tion-expo-2021/#
Livestock ...............................................11
Markets .................................................13
Opinion ...................................................6
Water ......................................................4
AUG. 20-29
Western Idaho Fair: Expo
Idaho, 5610 Glenwood St., Boise.
Check back later for more informa-
tion. Website: www.idahofair.com
SEPT. 3-11
Eastern Idaho State Fair: East-
ern Idaho Fairgrounds, 97 Park St.,
Blackfoot, Idaho. The daily sched-
ule and entertainment line-up will
be published in June. Website:
https://funatthefair.com/
Correction policy
Accuracy is important to Capital Press
staff and to our readers.
If you see a misstatement, omission or
factual error in a headline, story or photo
caption, please call the Capital Press news
department at 503-364-4431, or send
email to newsroom@capitalpress.com.
We want to publish corrections
to set the record straight.