The Impact of Research and Extension on Oilseed Production in Washington State.

The Washington State oilseed-based Biofuels Cropping Systems Research and Extension (WBCS) project was initiated in 2007 with funding from the state legislature to evaluate alternative crops with the goal of dramatically increasing biofuels crop production.  Washington State University and the WA Department of Agriculture recognized that cropping systems research was the key to overcoming the knowledge gaps and other limitations to producing oilseed crops across the state.  During the last seven years the breadth and scope of what the WBCS project team has accomplished has resulted in 21 refereed journal publications, 1 patent, 10 extension publications, 123 abstracts and presentations at regional and national conferences and workshops, four to six field days and tours each year, a dedicated website, and an annual oilseed production and marketing conference that began in 2011 and has developed into a major annual event, drawing nearly 500 participants in 2014.  Additionally, the WBCS team is or has trained 11 graduate students and 5 post graduate research and extension associates, and has involved 15 state faculty, 7 USDA-ARS scientists, and 12 technicians. Research projects have more recently focused on spring and winter canola and camelina, with topics including fertilizer timing and rates; benefits of multi-year rotations including oilseeds; canola variety performance; herbicide efficacy; residue management; developing Group 2 herbicide resistant camelina; increasing seed size of camelina and canola; utilizing canola as a biennial crop; disease and weed control; and enterprise budgets developed for rotations including canola.  According to USDA statistics, WA canola production more than doubled from 15,000 acres in 2012 to 37,000 acres in 2013, and recent Prospective Plantings data released by USDA-NASS indicate a continued increase for 2014 to 45,000 acres, partially attributable to the WBCS research and extension activities and products.