06/23/05 Dust storm hits wheat tour

Washington Ag June 23, 2005 There were some harrowing moments near the end of day one Tuesday of the Washington Association of Wheat Growers wheat tour. Strong winds picked up dust from conventionally tilled summerfallow fields creating whiteout conditions for tour buses on Highway 2 in eastern Lincoln County. State Representative Jim Dunn of Vancouver was among the lawmakers, legislative staff, agency people and others sitting on buses at a standstill on the highway. Dunn: "It was really scary. We had zero visibility there for a while." Doctor James Cook, interim Dean of Agriculture at Washington State University expressed disappointment over the lack of adoption of no-till in that particular area, a farming system he strongly advocates, which leaves residue on the soil surface to stop wind erosion. Cook: "Not everyone can do it but in this area it can be done. And I am just amazed to see that we are still dealing with this kind of a dust storm in 2005 with all the good technology and farming practices that we have worked so hard to help develop at Washington State University. And out innovative farmers have led the way in taking chances and making it work. This is the area that ought to make it work. Go farther east it's tough. Go farther west it's tough. This area it works." Earlier in the day the tour had visited the Hutterian Brethren farm where no-till cereal production has been practiced for 20 years. I'm Bob Hoff.