DNR lessees, the Teades, use a ‘direct seed’ system of farming. New crops are seeded directly into residue from the previous crop, which protects the soil surface from eroding and minimizes soil loss. Direct seeding also improves overall soil quality and greatly reduces the number of field operations needed throughout the year.
Direct seed farming (also known as no-till) is successful in rainfall zones of 14 inches or more annually, which includes a large swath of south-eastern Washington State, including around Colfax.
DNR works with lessees as a partner in soil conservation, encouraging direct seeding and other conservation practices. As an incentive for trust land lessees to try direct seeding, in 2003, DNR began offering a 25 percent reduction in rent for five years. This very successful program has many lessees participating. Most saw the benefits of direct seeding and continued even after the incentive period ended.
DNR leases and permits about 1 million acres of state trust lands for agriculture and grazing. Our leases include dryland grains, irrigated row crops, orchards and vineyards, and grazing. Most trust lands in agriculture are ‘Common School’ trust lands that were given to Washington State at statehood in 1889. DNR manages those lands to earn funding for construction of kindergarten through 12th grade public schools statewide.
[Bottom photo of direct seeded field: Yellow stubble is a recently harvested crop. The bleached-out, grey stubble under it is from the previous year’s crop.]
