Organic and reduced input farmers often cite weed management as one of their most pressing problems. These farmers need new tools and systems strategies to manage weeds. Organic and reduced input farmers would like to reduce tillage to generate the many benefits: soil quality improvements, beneficial insect habitat, pest control, and fewer tractor operations. High residue reduced tillage (HRRT) systems suppress weeds and enhance the benefits of low residue no till. HRRT systems have been developed in the northeast and Midwest but these innovations have not been trialed in the PNW. There is little information available to growers and educators on non-chemical weed management or HRRT.

1) A two DVD series titled "Weed 'Em and Reap" was published in 2005. Part I highlights farmer and researcher innovations in tools for non-chemical weed management; Part II highlights researcher and grower HRRT systems. A website (www.weedemandreap.org) provides additional information.

2) A HRRT potato experiment station field trial was conducted in 2005 to evaluate its performance in a silt loam soil and for management of potato tuber flea beetle. We roll-killed a rye/vetch cover crop and prepared for planting with a program-built cutter/ripper, and compared conventional- and reduced-till potato tuber damage. HRRT suppressed tuber flea beetle damage, but more work is required to adapt HRRT to heavy-textured Willamette Valley soils.