Advancing Malheur Agriculture
The Malheur Experiment Station conducts crop trials every year and publishes the results in an Annual Report. These trials have led to innovations in sustainable techniques that have greatly improved agriculture in Malheur County.
Research and Economic Impact
Scientists at the Malheur Experiment Station specialize in research important for the production of row crops, small grains, alfalfa, and native plants. Onions, wheat, corn, beans, sugar beets, and potatoes are major crops in Malheur County, helping to generate hundreds of millions of dollars per year of farm gate income for producers and over $1 billion of economic activity in the county. Alfalfa, corn, and hay are transformed into high value meat and milk products by cattle and dairy producers.
The station is located on 117 acres of row crop land midway between Ontario, Vale, and Nyssa in the Cairo area. Entrance to Onion Avenue is from Highway 201. Visitors are welcome at the station. The OSU faculty and staff also conduct research and observations at many other locations in the region.
Dealing with Drought
Irrigation water is a precious commodity. During drought, planning crop choices and irrigation priorities become critical. View our 2015 report that was supported by the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, Oregon State University, the Malheur County Education Service District, and by Formula Grants from the USDA.
Weed Warriors Gain Some Ground on Palmer Amaranth (Capital Press)
Field researchers, farmers and input providers are making some progress in the battle against Palmer amaranth, an invasive pigweed fairly new to southern Idaho and southeastern Oregon.
OSU helps sustain success of oregon's onion industry (OSU Extension Service)
The Snake River Valley, encompassing Eastern Oregon and Western Idaho, is particularly notable, producing about one-third of the nation’s storage onions.
Western Innovator: Research focuses on soil moisture (Capital Press)
As researcher Udayakumar Sekaran sees it, soil-moisture sensors help farmers irrigate more efficiently but are limited by the wires to which they are attached.
OSU engages with onion growers to demonstrate an alternative method for plastic waste reduction (OSU Extension Service)
Stuart Reitz, the director of the OSU Malheur Experiment Station, said finding a solution to plastic pollution has been a top priority of the station.
Study guides strategic fertilizer and insecticide decisions for onion growers (OSU Statewides)
Dry bulb onions are a vital crop in the Treasure Valley of Eastern Oregon and southwestern Idaho. About 10,000 hectares are planted each year, contributing more than $120 million to the region’s economy.