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News and Events

Ag Tech Field Day is a new event for 2025! Hosted at OSU's North Willamette Research and Extension Center in Aurora, OR, the event will showcase research trials, demonstrations, and discussions about emerging technology applications for farms in our region. Join us on June 12th, 2025. The link provides details on presenters and topics and the station locations can be seen on this map. 

Recently, we hosted a Willamette Valley Vegetable Education Day at NWREC. The link includes slides from our presenters on a variety of topics including pest management, irrigation, and cover crop selection.

For more field days and workshops, check out the NWREC Events calendar and the College of Agricultural Sciences Field Days calendar.

 

Publications

Alternatives to Dinoseb for Weed Control in Snapbeans (1987)
December 1, 1987

Report to the Oregon Processed Vegetable Commission

Bill Braunworth
Garvin Crabtree
Phil Diener
Dan McGrath
OSU Dept. of Horticulture

Objectives:

Alternatives for Control of Atrazine Tolerant Weeds in Sweet Corn Production (1993)
December 1, 1993

Report to the Oregon Processed Vegetable Commission

Deby Boquist
Ed Peachey
Gavin Crabtree
OSU Dept. of Horticulture

Continued use of atrazine for weed control in sweet corn has led to the evolution of atrazine tolerant weeds. The objective of the research was to evaluate efficacy and crop tolerance of several new herbicides and several herbicide combinations at sites with atrazine tolerant pigweed.

Agroforestry: Sustaining Native Bee Habitat for Crop Pollination (2006)
August 1, 2006

Vaughan, Mace and Scott Hoffman Black. 2006. Agroforestry: Sustaining Native Bee Habitat for Crop Pollination. Agroforestry Notes. USDA National Agroforestry Center.

Abundance and Diversity of Native Bumble Bees Associated with Agricultural Crops: The Willamette Valley Experience (2009)
December 2, 2009

Rao, Sujaya and W. P. Stephen. 2009. Abundance and Diversity of Native Bumble Bees Associated with Agricultural Crops: The Willamette Valley Experience. Psyche. Volume 2010, Article ID 354072, 9 pages. 

A Guide to Conserving Wildlife on Willamette Valley Farms (2011)
August 1, 2011

The purpose of this guide is to provide Willamette Valley growers with an introduction to the wildlife diversity of the region, a primer on habitat management, and some suggested actions that can be taken by growers to benefit native wildlife living on agricultural landscapes. Given the extensive area of the Valley used for farming, even modest actions undertaken by individual growers can accumulate into a major contribution toward regional conservation goals.

Alternative Crops for the Columbia Basin (2006)
October 1, 2006

This publication explores possibilities for new crops in the Columbia Basin. Includes crops for oilseeds, food, forage, revegetation, and xeriscape plant nurseries. Crops are classified into three categories: grasses and cereal grains, broad-leafed herbs and forbs, and shrubs and trees. Includes index by common and scientific names.

A future without organophosphorus insecticides – yet plenty of cabbage maggots in Brassica crops! (2010)
December 1, 2010

Report to the Oregon Processed Vegetable Commission

Amy Dreves
OSU Dept. of Crop and Soil Science

Robert McReynolds
NWREC

Dan McGrath
OSU Dept. of Hort

Ed Peachey
OSU Dept. of Hort

Objectives:

A Comparison of Different Row and Plant Spacings in Bed Type Table Beet Production (2002)
December 31, 2002

Report to the Oregon Processed Vegetable Commission

Sam and Tom Sweeney
Country Heritage Farms

Objective:

  1. To find in row and row spacings that would increase yields and percentages of higher grade beets.
A Bioassay For Studying Biotic and Abiotic Interactions In the Root Rot Syndrome of Sweet Corn (2001)
December 31, 2001

Report to the Oregon Processed Vegetable Commission

Mary Powelson
OSU Dept. of Botany and Plant Pathology

Jim Meyer
OSU Dept. of Horticulture

Cindy Ocamb
OSU Dept. of Botany and Plant Pathology

Ed Peachey
OSU Dept. of Horticulture

Alex Stone
OSU Dept. of Horticulture

Objective:

  1. Develop a bioassay for studying biotic and abiotic interactions in the root rot syndrome of sweet corn

 

"Solar Trenches" for Production of Warm-Season Vegetables (1981)
April 1, 1981

North Willamette Research and Extension Center (NWREC) report

Delbert Hemphill
OSU Dept. of Horticulture

Introduction

12 Spot Beetles, Black Cutworm, And Cabbage Looper Project (2000)
December 31, 2000

Report to the Agricultural Research Foundation and Oregon Processed Vegetable Commission

Dan McGrath
OSU Dept. of Horticulture

12 Spot Beetle and Black Cutworm Project (2002)
December 31, 2001

Report to the Agricultural Research Foundation and the Oregon Processed Vegetable Commission

Dan McGrath
OSU Dept. of Horticulture

Objectives:

  1. To maintain, evaluate, and refine a regional pest-monitoring network for 12 Spot Beetle, Black Cutworm, and other insects that reduce stand establishment in sweet corn.
  2. To evaluate soil insecticides for control of these insect pests and determine the relationship between trap counts and crop injury.
"Rotbusters" 2003: Soil factors, cropping history, varietal tolerance, and corn root rot (2003)
January 1, 2003

Report to the Oregon Processed Vegetable Commission

Alex Stone
OSU Dept. of Horticulture

Objectives:

Determine-

  1. the root rot tolerance and yield potential of sweet corn varieties
  2. the relationship between rotational history and root rot potential
  3. the relationship between soil factors and root rot potential
  4. whether a cone tube bioassay can be used to screen fields for root rot potential
"Rotbusters" Sweet Corn Decline Field Survey (2002)
December 31, 2002

"Sweet corn decline" emerged as a significant constraint to corn production in the Willamette Valley during the 1990's. During the winter of 2001-02 a group of farmers, industry agricultural professionals, and OSU personnel met to discuss strategies for improving our understanding of this syndrome and for identifying strategies for its management.

Broccoli Breeding, Evaluation (2016)
December 31, 2016

Processors need broccoli with better quality traits than what is available in cultivars developed for California and Mexico fresh markets. Farmers need to reduce labor costs of broccoli production by mechanizing harvest. Most contemporary commercially available cultivars are not suitable for either mechanical harvest or processing. The objective of the OSU broccoli breeding program is to develop broccoli varieties adapted to western Oregon with suitable quality and high yields. The program operates on a one year cycle where cuttings from the field are taken into the greenhouse in the fall where they are rooted and hand crossed and self-pollinated to produce seed for the next generation. Seed is harvested in May and June and used to plant trials for fall evaluation.

Broccoli Breeding, Evaluation and Seed Production (2013)
January 1, 2014

Research report to the Oregon Processed Vegetable Commission

Jim Myers
OSU Dept. of Horticulture

Brian Yorgey
OSU Food Science and Technology

Broccoli Breeding, Evaluation and Seed Production (2015)
January 6, 2016

Processors need broccoli with better quality traits than what is available in cultivars developed for California and Mexico fresh markets. Farmers need to reduce labor costs of broccoli production by mechanizing harvest. Most contemporary commercially available cultivars are not suitable for either mechanical harvest or processing. The objective of the OSU broccoli breeding program is to develop broccoli varieties adapted to western Oregon with suitable quality and high yields. The program operates on a one year cycle where cuttings from the field are taken into the greenhouse in the fall where they are rooted and hand crossed and self-pollinated to produce seed for the next generation. Seed is harvested in May and June and used to plant trials for fall evaluation. In 2015, nine experimental hybrids were planted in a replicated yield trial, which also included two commercial check hybrids and a new exserted commercial hybrid from Seminis.

Clubroot (Plasmodiophora brassicae) control strategies on brassicas (2014)
December 31, 2014

This research has demonstrated that liming clubroot infected soils to a pH ≥7.1 is an effective practice for reducing both the incidence and severity of clubroot. Liming does not kill the pathogen but rather prevents disease spores from infecting the plant. This research demonstrated that highly reactive calcitic lime products could be substituted for hydrated lime as they effectively raise the pH of the soil to the target pH of ≥7.1 within a week after application. The project also demonstrated that boron and Serenade drenches did not suppress clubroot under field conditions.

Broccoli Breeding, Evaluation and Seed Production (2014)
December 31, 2014

Processors need broccoli with better quality traits than what is available in cultivars developed for California and Mexico fresh markets. Farmers need to reduce labor costs of broccoli production but mechanizing harvest. Most contemporary commercially available cultivars are not suitable for either mechanical harvest or processing. The objective of the OSU broccoli breeding program is to develop broccoli varieties adapted to western Oregon with suitable quality and high yields. The program operates on a one year cycle where cuttings from the field are taken into the greenhouse in the fall where they are rooted and hand crossed and self-pollinated to produce seed for the next generation. Seed is harvested in May and June and used to plant trials for fall evaluation.

Clubroot (Plasmodiophora brassicae) control strategies on brassicas (2015)
January 6, 2016

The goals of this project were to determine 1) if liming controls clubroot, 2) the pH that must be attained to achieve commercially viable levels of control, and 3) how best to lime (materials, timing, incorporation strategies) to achieve that pH. Research conducted in 2014 showed that liming clubroot infected soils to a pH ≥7.1 is an effective practice for reducing both the incidence and severity of clubroot. Liming does not kill the pathogen but rather prevents disease spores from infecting the plant. In 2015 the research was focused on the relationship between disease incidence and severity when pH <7.1,better understanding when to apply lime, and how to incorporate to maximize pH change.

Virus Control in Lettuce and Spinach (1988)
July 1, 1988

Research report from OSU's North Willamette Agricultural Research and Extension Center

Delbert Hemphill
OSU Dept of Horticulture, NWREC

Introduction

Overwintered Onion Variety Trial, 1978-1979
February 1, 1987

Methods

Broccoli breeding, evaluation and seed production (2008)
December 31, 2008

Report to the Oregon Processed Vegetable Commission

Jim Meyers
OSU Dept of Horticulture

Brian Yorgey
OSU Dept of Food Science and Technology

Objectives:

1. Develop broccoli varieties adapted to western Oregon with suitable quality, high yields, and disease resistance. Specific traits include:

Broccoli Breeding, Evaluation and Seed Production Report (2010)
December 1, 2010

This report was generated for the Oregon Processed Vegetable Commission (OPVC)

Corn Earworm Report (1990)
July 27, 1990

Ray Drapek and Len Coop
OSU Dept of Entomology

CEW Report: Newsletter of the Corn Earworm Cooperative Pheromone Trapping Program. This project funded by the Oregon Processed Vegetable Commission.

Construction of High Tunnels: Resources for Organic Farmers (2009)

Pool, K. and A. Stone, 2009. Construction of High Tunnels: Resources for Organic Farmers. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18369

Bertha Armyworm

Bertha Armyworm can damage cabbage and broccoli crops in the Willamette Valley. This page provides some basic information about the pest and discusses management and controls methods. Detailed scouting and monitoring techniques are provided as well as a risk assessment for spray decisions.

Ascospore Trapping of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in Snap Bean Fields and Root Rot Management (2010)
December 1, 2010

Report to the Oregon Processed Vegetable Commission

Cindy Ocamb
OSU Dept of Botany and Plant Pathology

Nathan Miller
Postdoctoral Research Assistant, BPP, OSU

David H. Gent
USDA-ARS, Corvallis

Robert B. McReynolds
OSU North Willamette Research & Ext. Center

Jim Myers
OSU Dept. of Horticulture

Objectives:

Lime and Fertilizer Effects on Spring-Planted Onions (1984)
February 1, 1985

Fertilizer trials with overwinter onions at the North Willamette Station have shown a strong onion yield response to application of lime and gypsum and, in one experiment, a higher yield with ammonium sulfate rather than ammonium nitrate as N source. The yield response to gypsum and ammonium sulfate indicates that when soil pH, P, K, and N are optimal, S may be the element most limiting to onion bulb development. The following trial was designed to investigate the effects of lime, gypsum, and form of N on spring-seeded onions.

Methods

Testing carrot breeding lines for resistance to the Motley Dwarf Virus Complex (1986)
December 1, 1986

Report to the Oregon Processed Vegetable Commission

Jim Baggett      
OSU Dept. of Horticulture

Objectives:

  1. Test carrot breeding lines developed in the U.S. Department of Agriculture carrot breeding program for resistance to the motley dwarf virus complex.
Table Beets: Western Oregon-West of Cascades Fertilizer Guide. OSU Extension Series # FG 13-E
January 1, 2000

H.J. Mack, E.H. Gardner, and T.L. Jackson. 1984 (Reprinted 2000). OSU Fertilizer Guide: Table beets Western Oregon-West of the Cascades. OSU Extension Publication Series # FG 13-E.
 

Black Cutworm & Variegated Cutworm

The Black Cutworm & Variegated Cutworm can be particularly damaging to corn and bean crops in the Willamette Valley if infestations are not detected early. This page provides some basic information about the pest and discusses management and controls methods. Detailed scouting and monitoring techniques are provided as well as a risk assessment for spray decisions.

Screening Lettuce and Spinach Germplasm for Resistance to Beet Western Yellows Virus (1992)

Introduction

Beet western yellows virus (BWYV), an aphid-vectored luteovirus, causes a pronounced, bright yellow color to the leaf margin of lettuce, spinach, and other leafy greens. Interveinal chlorosis may also develop. The virus does not usually stunt growth and is not considered a problem in many susceptible crops. However, where the leaves are harvested or comprise the edible portion of the crop, such as with lettuce, spinach, Chinese cabbage, and root crops sold with the shoots attached, even a slight expression of symptoms can render the crop unmarketable.

Detection of Plasmodiophora brassicae (causal agent of Clubroot) in vegetable production fields of the Pacific Northwest (2013)
January 1, 2014

Research report to the Oregon Processed Vegetable Commission

Cindy Ocamb
OSU Dept. of Botany and Plant Pathology

Evaluation of Fungicides for the Control of Gray/White Mold in Snap Beans
December 31, 2000

The processed vegetable industry has struggled annually with EPA to secure the Ronilan label. EPA announced that the registration will be cancelled in September 30, 2005. There are a number of new fungicides that have not been evaluated for the control of either Botrytis or Sclerotina for snap beans in Oregon. The currently registered alternative fungicides to Ronilan; Benlate, Bravo, Topsin, and Royal, are all subject to review by the EPA under the guidelines set forth in the provisions of the 1996 Food Quality Protection Act.

Cooperators:

Identification of Sweet Corn Hybrids Resistant to Root/Stalk Rot
December 31, 2000

Objectives:

  • Characterize su sweet corn hybrids for reaction to root/crown rot.

Cooperators:

  • M. Powelson, Botany and Plant Pathology, Oregon State University
  • C. Ocamb, Botany and Plant Pathology, Oregon State University
Monitoring and Reporting Insect Pests in Cole Crops and Sweet Corn: VegNet (2014)
December 31, 2014

For the past 18 years, processed vegetable growers in the Willamette Valley, OR have had a vital partner in crop pest monitoring – Oregon State University’s VegNet. This regional pest monitoring program provides weekly activity reports for common broccoli, cauliflower, sweet corn, and snap bean pests. Data is published on www.oregonvegetables.com and is available as an email subscription newsletter. The main goal of the program is to provide an early warning to growers of potential outbreaks that may warrant increased field scouting and action.

Keys to Disease Management in Organic Seed Crops

Johnson, K.B. and F. Morton, 2009. Keys to Disease Management in Organic Seed Crops. eOrganic article. Available at http://www.extension.org/article/18332.

Farming with Pollinators: Increasing Profit and Reducing Risk
January 1, 2012

The Xerces Society. 2012. Farming with Pollinators: Increasing Profit and Reducing Risk. The Xerces Society. Portland, Oregon.

Research Reports to the Oregon Processed Vegetable Commission: December 1989
December 1, 1989
Green Bean Breeding
December 1, 1994

Objectives: Breed bush green beans for the western Oregon processing industry with:
 

  • Improved potential for high yields at favorable sieve sizes and dependability
  • Improved straightness, texture, and other quality factors
  • Develop easy picking and small pod strains of Blue Lake type
  • Resistance to white mold and root rot
VegNet regional pest monitoring program
December 31, 2008

Long-Term Vegetable Crop Rotation Study
December 1, 1996

OBJECTIVES FOR 1996:

To evaluate effects of several winter cover crop systems, including fall-seeded and overseeded triticale, fall-seeded triticale plus winter pea, and overseeded red clover on yield and quality of sweet corn at three rates of N. The cover crops follow broccoli fertilized with three rates of N.

To evaluate the effect of these cover crops and the N applied to sweet corn on the amount of nitrate leached below the root zone.

To evaluate the effect of these cropping systems on the potential for herbicide degredation in the soil profile.

Phosphoric Acid as Emergence Stimulator for Small-Seeded Vegetables

Predicting N fertilizer Needs in Sweet Corn: Comparing Preplant Nmin and Pre-sidedress Tests to Improve Predictability
December 1, 2011

 Ed Peachey, Dan Sullivan, and John Hart
Departments of Horticulture and Crop and Soil Science, OSU

Planting Dates and Rate of Nitrogen on Cauliflower
April 1, 1986

The varieties Armado April and Armado Quick (Elsoms, Ltd.) were seeded in 2-inch pots in the greenhouse on August 1, August 16, and August 30, 1978, and were transplanted to the field on August 21, September 12, and September 26, respectively. Plots consisted of two 25-foot rows. Treatments were 1) 50 pounds N/acre as ammonium nitrate applied on December 22, 1978, and again on February 26, 1979, and 2) 100 pounds N on the same dates. Treatments were in randomized block design. Heads were harvested twice weekly from April 13 until May 9, 1979.

Evaluation of Fungicides for the Control of Gray/White Mold in Snap Beans
December 31, 2001

The goal of the project was to verify the results obtained in 2000 field trials and to evaluate other fungicides for their effectiveness in controlling Bean Gray Mold (Botrytis cinerea) and Bean White Mold (Sclerotinia Sclerotiolum) using Ronilan as an industry standard.

Overwintered Cabbage
April 1, 1986

Overwintering varieties of cabbage are available, particularly from European seed companies. Variety trials were conducted in 1980 and 1981, with planting dates the same as for the cauliflower, but quality was low and disease incidence high. The hardiest varieties had pointed or conical heads which are not desired in the local markets.

From the Oregon Agricultural Experiment Station Special Report 769, April, 1986

Vegetable Variety Trials 2010. OSU Extension Series EM 877-10. Revised April 2011
April 1, 2011
Plug Transplanting of Storage and Bunching Onions (1990)

Introduction