Heppner gazette-times., March 01, 1979, ANNUAL REPORT 1978, Page Page Five, Image 19

Page Five
Level terraces tested in
county during 1978
Protection equals that of
diversion terraces, plus
provides for water storage
Are level terraces something new for
farmers in Morrow County? The answer is
"yes" and "no."
Level terraces were one of the primary
conservation practices which helped end the
dust bowl of the mid-thirties in the high plains
states. In the past few years a limited number
have been tried in Morrow County with a good
success reported. The Soil Conservation
Service Staff assigned to the Soil and Water
Conservation District designed two major
systems' of level terraces in 1978 which were
applied to the land during the first six months
of the year. Both systems were tested during
the past summer with water-spout ' type of
rainfall, and both systems performed very
effectively, storing field runoff on the channel
of the terrace. No runoff, water was lost
through diverting excess water from the land.
Level terraces store water on cropland
acres. In more recent designs for terrace
systems we find the distribution of runoff
water which is caught by the terraces is equal
to .25 inches of moisture for the entire field.
This benefit happens each time a storm of this
magnitude occurs. The benefits of water
conservation alone justify the costs incurred
constructing level terraces and one does not
sacrifice erosion control protection by using
these types of terraces. The total protection
provided is equal to that provided by
diversion type structures plus the added
value of storing runoff water that might
otherwise be lost.
There are other points favoring level
terrace systems. The need for protected
outlets are eliminated ; they can be farmed
either parellel or cross-slope, allowing
adjustment to your farming pattern to protect
against prevailing winds.
The alternatives in your farming opera
tions are many. The decisions you make must
be based on the best and latest technology
available and consideration of installing level
terraces on your property should be tied to the
soil and its capability. The slopes of the land,
the depth of the soil and the intake rates are
all major considerations.
Level terraces do have an important part
to play in our total program of soil and water
conservation. Will they find a place in your
operation?
Level terraces-running with the contour of the land
store water rather than diverting it.
Chemicals have essential role in farming
The use of agricultural chemicals to
assist wheat growers in the management of
their cropland is essential, reports Harold
Kerr, Morrow County Extension Agent.
The history of the use of chemicals in the
production of wheat goes back at least to the
1940's when 2,4-D was released for control of
broadleaf weeds in the growing crop. A
number of chemicals, including 2,4-D are still
available for selective control of weeds in the
growing crop. A new chemical named
Metrabuzin, sold as Sencor and Lexone, is
available this year for control of cheatgrass
in the growing crop.
A new concept in the use of chemicals in
dryland wheat has surfaced the past year or
two. This concept is to spray the stubble in the
fall or winter and to control cheatgrass,
volunteer wheat, rye and other weeds so that
tillage can be delayed and reduced.
This practice is recommended for a
number of reasons:
1. Reduced tillage lessens the risk of
erosion due to both wind and water,
principally because more residue is left on the
surface.
2. Reduced tillage should increase
moisture saved in the profile, thereby
increasing the yield potential.
3. Reduced tillage conserves energy
because less fuel is used in the number of
tillage operations required.
4. The economics of minimum tillage
or chemical fallow improves each year as the
cost of fuel, equipment and labor increases
faster than the price of chemicals.
Wheat growers in Morrow County are
urged to consider minimum tillage combined
with the use of chemicals as a viable
alternative in their management plan.
Chemicals which currently are registered for
chemical fallow include Chem Hoe-135,
Paraquadt, Roundup, Bladex and Atrazine.
Follow th label for rates and other
restrictions. All of these chemicals must be
used correctly to insure that they are not
taken off the market.
We pride ourselves
on being your fully
stocked farm Ci
home lumber yard.
Septic Tanho
Building Supplies
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Glass Roofing
n EXIHGTON 989-8586
'DUMBER YARD Lexln9ton
Call Ue For All Your
Fertilizer & Chemical Meeds
f
m xmtmi-m , I lie .
"y I
HERB EKSTRQM, JR. HERB EKSTROAA, III
Eliot rom Farm Chemicals
IONE, OREGON
422-7505
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