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.

Malheur Experiment Station Overview

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 20/26. Visitors are welcome at the station. The OSU faculty and staff also conduct research and observations at many other locations in the region.

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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.

View Report

 

OSU President Jayathi Murthy visits Malheur Experiment Station

Discussing community college connection, PAC-12 and ‘the greatest achievement in 51 years’

Onion crop catching up in SE Oregon, SW Idaho

Unusually cool, wet conditions in April, May and part of June slowed the crop's progress but provided more water than farmers expected. The region produces about a quarter of the country’s fall storage onions.

Stuart Reitz explains how the Malheur Experiment Station is researching a better tomorrow (Argus Observer)

Onions might be one of the more prevalent crops in the county, but paying a visit to Oregon State University’s Malheur Experiment Station between Ontario and Vale can be an eye-opening adventure in agricultural research.

Researchers study how grazing on invasive grasses can affect wildfire threat (Malheur Enterprise)

A research project by Oregon State University’s Extension Service in Malheur County is examining whether grazing on invasive grasses can help mitigate wildfire threats in the sagebrush steppe.