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.
Onion Variety Day entries provide glimps into 2024 crop performance (Capital Press)
The Aug. 28 event at OSU's Malheur Experiment Station featured some 50 varieties.
Transforming Waste into Fuel: OSU Malheur Extension Develops Sustainable Solution for Drip Irrigation Tape (Onion Business)
Stuart Reitz, PhD, Director of the Oregon State University Malheur Experiment Station, provides an insightful article for OnionBusiness.com following the success of an onion seed trial event held on August 28. Dr. Reitz highlights the innovative efforts by OSU researchers to convert used drip irrigation tape into diesel fuel.
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.