Alternatives to Burning Sought

WASHINGTON - Feb 19/04 - SNS -- USDA researchers are seeking alternatives to burning straw that remains after harvesting grass seed, such as chopping up straw or turning it into an on-farm source of fuel.

Beginning in the 1940's, farmers burned post-harvest straw residue as an easy and economical means of clearing the straw from fields and controlling diseases, insects and weeds.

During recent years, however, this practice has been phased out by many jurisdictions in response to environmental and safety concerns.

ARS recently completed a 10-year study to find alternatives to managing grass seed production without burning the leftover straw. Scientists at the ARS National Forage Seed Production Research Center in Corvallis, Ore., report that chopping straw or turning it into fuel are two alternatives that make economic sense for farmers while maintaining the high quality of seed from the Pacific Northwest.

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