Vita
Lawrence K. Lutcher
Oregon State University
Dryland Crop Production
Morrow County
P.O. Box 397
Heppner, Oregon 97836
(541) 676-9642
December 2008
A. EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION
EDUCATION
Institution Degree Major
1995 University of Idaho Ph.D. Soil Science
1987 University of Idaho M.S. Soil Science
1983 University of Idaho B.S. Plant Science
EMPLOYMENT
Employer Responsibilities
2000-Present Oregon State University Provide leadership for extension and research programs in rural, north-
central Oregon (Morrow County).
1996-2000 TriMax Associates Consulting agronomist responsible
for crop production on a family-operated farm in the lower panhandle region of Idaho.
1994-1996 Coeur d’Alene Tribe Environmental specialist responsible
for development and implementation of a regulatory pesticide program on a northern Idaho Indian Reservation.
1992-1994 Carver Ranch Consultant responsible for funding
and implementation of conservation practices on a ranch in north-central
Oregon. Advised and assisted with crop and livestock production.
1991-1992 Hydrometrics, Inc. Soil scientist responsible for
providing technical advice at a Superfund site in East-Helena, Montana.
B. TEACHING, ADVISING, AND OTHER ASSIGNMENTS
1. Instructional Summary
a. Credit Courses, N/A
b. Non-Credit Courses and Workshops
Five-Year Summary—All Extension Programs
Year / Presentations / Seminarsand
Workshops / Tours / Field
Demonstrations
2008 / 15 / 8 / 2 / 7
2007 / 13 / 5 / 2 / 6
2006 / 12 / 4 / 1 / 10
2005 / 14 / 5 / 2 / 15
2004 / 12 / 4 / 1 / 10
Total / 66 / 26 / 8 / 48
Major extension programs are designed to solve problems or evaluate alternatives identified as critical needs for wheat farmers in Morrow County. Critical needs “fall into” one of two categories—cropping systems or nutrient management/soils and are addressed by my applied research program.
1) Cropping Systems
a) Situation: Conventional fallow, which is practiced on about 3,850,000 acres on the Columbia Plateau, is a tillage-based practice used to increase soil water storage in low precipitation zones. It is an integral part of a relatively low risk cropping system that has been used to produce winter wheat for more than a century. The primary disadvantage of conventional fallow is the potential for soil erosion caused by wind and water. Soil erosion can be reduced by delaying and minimizing tillage operations or by eliminating tillage completely. No-till or reduced till cropping systems are met with skepticism by most farmers due to concerns about yield reductions associated with late seeding and the cost of necessary production practices.
b) Methods: I am principal investigator for on-going field research that evaluates agronomic practices for and the profitability of reduced tillage fallow, stubble fallow, and annual cropping systems.
I conduct in-the-field, research demonstrations during the annual Morrow County crop tour and am occasionally asked to do the same at tours or field days in other counties. Other demonstrations are organized on an as needed basis. Power point and poster-format presentations are delivered at conferences, seminars, meetings, and workshops for clientele.
Organized/Facilitated Programs—Cropping Systems
Year/
Seminars
and
Workshops / Tours /
Field
Research
Demonstrations
/ Number of
Participants
2008 / 5 / 1 / 5 / 250
2007 / 2 / 1 / 4 / 300
2006 / 1 / 1 / 4 160 / 335
2005 / 1 / 2 / 4 425 / 350
2004 / 1 / 1 / 1 160 / 80
Total / 10 / 6 / 18 865 / 1315
Presentation Summary—Cropping Systems
Year/ Local Number
of
Participants / Regional Number of
Participants
2008 / 4 240 / 4 1,100
2007 / 5 320 / 1 400
2006 / 1 40 / 2 340
2005 / 2 105 / 2 20
2004 / 2 125 / 1 75
Total / 14 830 / 10 1,935
demonstration results out so quickly. In the past, they have come out too late—after I already have seed in the ground.,”…..Joe McElligott (farmer), 2005. 2,050
Regional presentations are listed on pages 19, 20, and 21. Selected examples of local presentations are provided below.
L.K. Lutcher. 2008. “Cropping systems extension and research update.” General Advisory Council Meeting. Boardman, OR. Nov. 10th.
L.K. Lutcher. 2008. “Yield potential of late-fall seeded hard red winter wheat and hard red spring wheat.” Morrow County Dryland Crop Tour, June 6th.
Lutcher, L.K. and C.T. Miles. 2007. “Irrigated, Round-Up® Ready Soybean Production in North-Central Oregon.” Morrow County Field Demonstration. June 21st.
Lutcher, L.K. and D.J. Wysocki. 2007. “A look at old and new varieties of hard red winter wheat and a discussion on yield potential, seedling emergence, grain quality, and stripe rust.” Morrow County Dryland Crop Tour. June 15th.
L.K. Lutcher. 2006. “Austrian winter peas in a double-fallow cropping system.” Morrow County Dryland Crop Tour. Lexington, OR. June 23rd.
L.K. Lutcher. 2005. “Current soil moisture conditions for conventional fallow and chemical fallow.” Morrow County Wheat Production Seminar. Ione, OR. February 11.
L.K. Lutcher. 2005. “New wheat varieties for low rainfall cropping systems in north-central Oregon.” Morrow County Wheat Growers League—Annual Town and Country Meeting. Heppner, OR. January 13th.
c) Results and Impacts: Findings of “no difference” between water storage in no-till fallow and conventional fallow were the precursor to a renewed interest in chemical fallow. Chemical fallow acreage in Morrow County has increased from 2500 acres to about 32,000 acres during the last eight years. Chemical fallow acreage in Sherman, Umatilla, and Wasco County is increasing as well. Interest in chemical fallow continues to grow and is fostered by my research which shows that grain yields are reasonably good during most years. Continuous (no-till) spring wheat cropping systems have increased from 2000 acres to about 6000 acres. This increase is due, in part, to acceptable yield and favorable profit margin results from annual cropping field experiments. No-till cropping systems reduce soil erosion. The estimated reduction in soil erosion, where no-till or reduced till systems have been implemented, is 2.5 tons per acre per year. The value of this reduction, calculated at $6.00 per ton, is $510,000 annually.
d) Examples of Related Scholarly Activity:
L.K. Lutcher. 2008. “Weed control methods for no-till, winter wheat/fallow cropping systems.” Oregon Society of Weed Science. Hood River, OR. October 21.
L.K. Lutcher. 2008. “Problems, challenges, and opportunities with the chemical fallow system.” PNW Direct Seed Conference, Kennewick, WA. January 23.
L.K. Lutcher. 2008. “No-Till Farming in the Low Precipitation Zone—Experiences at Starvation Farms, Inc.” PNW Direct Seed Conference. Kennewick, WA. January 24.
L.K. Lutcher. 2008. “Chemical fallow in the low precipitation zone of north-central Oregon.” Annual Research in the Dryland Cropping Area and Adams Conservation District Meeting. Ritzville, WA. January 29.
2) Nutrient Management/Soils
a) Situation: Fertilization methods for late-seeded wheat in no-till fallow need to be developed for farmers interested in maximizing the economy of this cropping system. Oregon State University fertilizer guides (winter wheat and spring grains in non-irrigated systems) have been updated. Additional research and outreach efforts should focus on increased nutrient-use efficiency. This is particularly important as producers continue to struggle with the ever-increasing cost of fertilizer.
b) Methods: I am principal investigator for a research project designed to refine nitrogen application rate recommendations for late-seeded no-till fallow and minimum tillage fallow systems. I am first author on two updated, peer-reviewed fertilizer guides that will soon be available to clientele. I am a co-author on three additional fertilizer guides.
I conduct in-the-field, research demonstrations during the annual Morrow County crop tour and am occasionally asked to do the same at tours or field days in other counties. Other demonstrations are organized on an as needed basis. Power point and poster-format presentations are delivered at conferences, seminars, meetings, and workshops for clientele.
Organized/Facilitated Programs—Nutrient Management
Year/
Seminars
and
Workshops
/ Tours /
Field
Research
Demonstrations
/ Number of
Participants
2008 / 1 / 1 / 2 / 250
2007 / 2 / 1 / 2 / 325
2006 / 1 / 1 / 1 160 / 270
2005 / 2 / 1 / 3 425 / 270
2004 / 1 / 1 / 1 160 / 80
Total / 7 / 5 / 9 865 / 1,195
Presentation Summary—Nutrient Management
Year / Local Number ofParticipants / Regional Number of
Participants
2008 / 6 310 / 2 250
2007 / 1 65 / 1 425
2006 / 1 40 / 1 135
2005 / 1 6 / 4 551
2004 / 1 5 / 2 390
Total / 5 426 / 10 1,751
Regional presentations are listed on pages 19, 20, and 21. Selected examples of local presentations are provided below.
L.K. Lutcher. 2008. “Nutrient management/soils extension and research update.” General Advisory Council Meeting. Boardman, OR. Nov. 10th.
L.K. Lutcher, 2008. “Soil Development and Formation.” Education Service District Watershed Field Day. Lexington, OR. April 30.
L.K. Lutcher, 2008. “Soil Judging Techniques and Strategies.” Heppner High School FFA Program. Heppner, OR. September 29.
L.K. Lutcher. 2007. “Nitrogen fertilizer recommendations for non-irrigated wheat production in summer-fallow systems. Wheat Production Seminar—Morrow County, Oregon. February 15.
L.K. Lutcher 2006. “Phosphorus and sulfur fertilization of winter wheat in a no-till fallow cropping system.” Morrow County Dryland Crop Tour. Lexington,OR. June 23.
L.K. Lutcher. 2005. “New fertilizer guides for winter wheat production in low, intermediate, and high precipitation zones of north-central and eastern Oregon.” Dryland Working Group Post-Harvest Meeting. Pendleton, OR. September 1.
c) Results and Impacts: Results from field research conducted from 2004-2007 show a trend of increasing wheat yield from phosphorus (P) application—if soil test values are less than or equal to 12 ppm. Additional results show that P application on soils with pH values of 7.5 is not economical in most situations. The estimated net value of these recommendations (which are based on anticipated yield increases and decisions not to apply P on high pH soils) is $220,000 annually.
Zinc fertilization of dryland wheat has not been economical in Morrow County research trials. Research shows the potential for a grain yield response increases when: (1) DTPA-extractable soil test zinc values (surface foot) are less than 0.3 ppm, (2) soil phosphorus levels are moderate to high, (3) the soil pH is greater than 7.5, and (4) yield potential exceeds 50 bu/ac. Demonstration of zinc fertilization research is responsible for the decision of many farmers to not use or stop using zinc fertilizer. The economic gain for farmers is equal to $5.00 per acre (the cost of fertilizing with zinc). Potential cost savings, based on Morrow County acres that have been routinely fertilized with zinc, is $225,000 annually.
Updated fertilizer recommendations (fertilizer guides) will improve nutrient management on the Columbia Plateau. Nitrogen and phosphorus application rates should be reduced by an average of 8 and 5 pounds per acre, respectively. The potential, economic benefit to farmers is $5.13 per acre per year. The annual cost savings in Morrow County alone is $661,500. The qualitative benefits to soil and water are unknown.
d) Examples of Related Scholarly Activity:
Lutcher, L.K., W.F. Schillinger, D.W. Wysocki, S.B. Wuest, and N.W. Christensen. 2008. Phosphorus fertilization of late-seeded winter wheat in a no-till fallow system. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meetings. Houston, TX. October 5-9. Role: Principle investigator and author.
Flowers, M.D., L.K. Lutcher, M.K. Corp, and B. Brown. 2007. Managing nitrogen for yield and protein in hard wheat. FS 335, Oregon State University Extension Publication. January. Role: Document review.
Hart, J.M. L.K. Lutcher, D.A. Horneck, D.J. Wysocki, S.E. Petrie, and N.W. Christensen. 2007. Poster Presentation: New fertilizer guides from Oregon State University. Western Nutrient Management Conference. Salt Lake City, UT. March 8-9. Role: Presenter.
Lutcher, L.K., D.A. Horneck, D.J. Wysocki, J.M. Hart, S.E. Petrie, and N.W. Christensen. 2007. Fertilizer Guide #80. Winter Wheat in Summer-Fallow Systems (Low Precipitation Zone). Revised (April). Role: Team leader; writing and editing.
Lutcher, L.K., D.A. Horneck, D.J. Wysocki, J.M. Hart, S.E. Petrie, and N.W. Christensen. 2007. Fertilizer Guide #82. Winter Wheat in Summer-Fallow Systems (Intermediate Precipitation Zone). Revised (April). Role: Team leader; writing and editing.
Lutcher, L.K., and S.E. Petrie. 2005. Zinc fertilization of dryland wheat. Western Nutrient Management Conference Proceedings, Vol. 6. Salt Lake City, UT. March 3-4.
c. Curriculum Development, N/A
d. Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Trainees, N/A
e. Team or Collaborative Efforts
1) Cropping Systems
L.K. Lutcher, S.B. Wuest, W.F. Schillinger, and D.A. Ball. Team members work together to develop a holistic approach to solving cropping system problems. Role: I conduct and report on applied field research and advise and/or assist team members by designing experiments, reviewing proposals, reports, and papers, and locating and establishing field sites. In 2008, I designed and implemented a replicated field experiment to evaluate winter wheat variety performance in early-seeded tillage fallow and late-seeded chemical fallow.
2) Nutrient Management
L.K. Lutcher, D.J. Wysocki, J.M. Hart, N.W. Christensen, D.A. Horneck, and M.D. Flowers. This group designs and implements nutrient management research and extension programs. Role: I conduct and report on applied field research. I review relevant extension publications and provide logistical assistance for seminars and field demonstrations. In 2008, I prepared a manuscript on P fertilization of late-seeded winter wheat. The manuscript is currently under peer review and will be submitted for publication in the Agronomy Journal during 2009.
3) Variety Performance
L.K. Lutcher, C.J. Peterson, W.F. Schillinger, and M.D. Flowers. Team members educate farmers about newly adapted wheat varieties. Role: I locate evaluation and demonstration sites for Jim Peterson. I present information to growers or commodity groups once or twice annually. I plant released, public varieties and experimental lines in large drill strips at two or three locations in the county. I maintain these drill strips and harvest them using commercial-sized equipment. I write grants to acquire funding for variety performance evaluations in cropping systems where early or late-seeding is required. In 2008, in conducted a second-year field experiment to assess the performance of hard red winter wheat cultivars. There is a growing interest in hard red winter wheat production in low rainfall regions on the PNW.
4) Dryland Working Group