Grainswest - Spring 2024

Spring 2024 Grains West 40 Weed control is a central challenge for organic farmers. Joash Siemens uses a camera-guided, in-row cultivator. He pairs the use of this equipment with a strategic, four-year crop rotation that includes cover crops and fallow. Consumer commitment to the purchase of organic products ultimately creates market opportunities. “The general population sees an advantage to growing organic and eating organic, and that’s exciting to see,” said Strebchuk. The rising cost of food hasn’t seemed to impact demand like it did when the American economy tanked in 2008 and 2009. “It bodes well for our industry that people have bought into it and are now faithful to it,” he added. IN THE FIELD Strebchuk also believes the number of people in the agriculture industry who perceive an advantage in organic production has dramatically increased from when organic farming really started to develop in the 1970s. “You were either a hippy or you were this filthy farmer who was just too lazy to actually farm properly,” said Strebchuk. “That mentality is shifting.” Because he grows an organic product, Strebchuk pays significant attention to soil health. “I want to pass to the next generation, to my children, a healthier farm than what I inherited from my dad,” he said. He has developed a rotational system in which his cattle graze cover crops during late summer or fall in fallow years and spread manure on fields that will be put into production the next season. Weeds are one of the biggest challenges for Strebchuk and Wood, and both rely on integrated management practices to enrich the soil. Wood uses a higher seeding rate to minimize weeds and plants crops such as green clover that he plows down prior to manure application. He also has good results with companion crops such as wheat with barley or barley with oats. “We’re trying two or three different crops that are easy to clean out of each other,” he said. Strebchuk employs cover crops to ensure live plants remain on the land throughout the season. “If I’m doing a fallow year, what I will do is plant a multi- species cocktail mix in the spring and it will grow all season, die off and be put back into the [soil] for the following year,” he said. According to Strebchuk, this is a significant improvement to traditional summerfallow practice where farmers would leave the soil black and till any weeds that arose. “Every time you drop a piece of equipment into the soil, you’re cutting up the fungi. In essence, FEATURE