Earl Creech

Extension Agronomist and Professor at Utah State University

[Earl Creech @USUCropGuy]

@NM_Forage We load them into a dump truck with a skid steer and take them to the dump. We used to let a neighbor have them but the university was concerned about liability (what if one of the guys cows died after eating our forage?) and the perception of favoring one farmer over another

[Earl Creech @USUCropGuy]

1st cutting of the USU #alfalfa variety trials is in the books. We’ve had sufficient irrigation water thus far and yields look strong. Now we spray for weevil and apply a little P fertilizer and start working on the next one…

[Earl Creech @USUCropGuy]

Downy brome (cheatgrass) treated with a low rate of glyphosate in RR #alfalfa. Like clockwork, it always turns this red color before meeting its demise...

[Earl Creech @USUCropGuy]

@dustfrmer Yep, I just checked the weather station on the Creech farm and we have had a whopping 0.03 inches in this morning’s “storm”

[Earl Creech @USUCropGuy]

If it would quit freezing every night, maybe the alfalfa could actually grow...

[Earl Creech @USUCropGuy]

Better late than never! Look close and you’ll see that the winter #wheat in Snowville, UT has finally decided to make an appearance. Photos taken this week. #usuextension #usucaas

[Earl Creech @USUCropGuy]

It has been crazy dry here in Utah this fall. Most dryland wheat growers finally gave up on waiting for moisture and dusted the seed in. Moisture came late, but by then it was too cold to get the crop up. Most fields I saw last week are going into winter looking like this... 🥺

[Earl Creech @USUCropGuy]

@dustfrmer 😂 Yep, spot on 3 mph. After spraying a what seems like a zillion trials, walking 3 mph has become so ingrained that it’s what I do all the time. Walk across campus...3 mph. Hike to a mountain peak...3 mph. Push a cart in the grocery store...3 mph. Mile run...3 mph.😎

[Earl Creech @USUCropGuy]

And just like that, the last herbicide trial of the year is out. Sometimes the crew even lets the old timer spray...💪❄️🥶

[Earl Creech @USUCropGuy]

Dormant seeded #safflower is in the ground. Typically see a 25-30% yield bump vs traditional spring seeding. Pretty amazing that planting conditions in Utah are perfect in mid-December. Here we are testing seeding rates and varieties for the best stand.
And now it may snow...❄️

[Earl Creech @USUCropGuy]

Got salt? Just planted this 43 entry #alfalfa variety trial in central UT on one of the best salinity testing sites anywhere. Not only is the soil saline, but it is irrigated with salt water.

Let’s put it this way...if a variety can make it here, it can make it anywhere.

[Earl Creech @USUCropGuy]

Spent some time this week in southern Utah testing equipment for adding moisture to #alfalfa windrows prior to baling. This video was shot around midnight (yes, well past my bedtime) and there was not even a hint of natural dew.

[Earl Creech @USUCropGuy]

The cool, wet weather we have had over the past month hasn’t done much for corn or alfalfa, but the pastures have loved it! I promise there are 4 Jersey heifers in that meadow brome...

[Earl Creech @USUCropGuy]

These heifers are heading back to their assigned pasture after the monthly weigh-in for a big multidisciplinary study. Having grown up on a dairy, I worked really hard in school to become an agronomist so I didn’t have to work with these critters anymore. But here I am...🤦🤷‍♂️😎

[Earl Creech @USUCropGuy]

Good visual reminder of the importance of cultural methods for weed control from one of our organic pasture trials. Perennial ryegrass in the foreground, tall fescue in the background. Confirms that dandelion is still well adapted to our environment, and perennial ryegrass is not

[Earl Creech @USUCropGuy]

Seems like we have only had a few hours above freezing this year, but apparently that was enough to convince kochia to germinate...🤬🤷‍♂️

[Earl Creech @USUCropGuy]

New trial comparing herbicides for #alfalfa that has just broken dormancy. Only 5 days after treatment, but it is pretty obvious that some chemical was laid down. #usuextension #usucaas

[Earl Creech @USUCropGuy]

@BillJohnson53 @vmdavis Needless to say, when I sat down at the beginning of the year and planned what I wanted to accomplish, the thought of being out of commission for a good chunk of the summer never crossed my mind. 🤷‍♂️ Happy to be on the mend, though...

[Earl Creech @USUCropGuy]

Not sure why I learn so many “lessons” from the school of hard knocks. Here’s how I spent my summer...https://t.co/RrlE9ARVYO

[Earl Creech @USUCropGuy]

@Tio_Spencer Yep, with wisdom of Pete would have kept me out of trouble that day.

[Earl Creech @USUCropGuy]

@LucasAHaag Thanks Lucas!