Episode 123: Breaking Traditions in Dry Climates with Keith Morter

Keith Morter, a dryland wheat farmer from Oregon, transitioned to regenerative agriculture management practices. Keith initially used standard, conventional methods like plowing and extensive chemical applications on his operation. Dissatisfied with the results, Keith shifted to direct seeding and eventually embraced regenerative practices. By drastically reducing nitrogen use and implementing holistic management techniques, Keith observed significant improvements in soil health, crop resilience, and pest resistance.
Despite challenges like low rainfall and high summer temperatures, his farm now thrives with healthier soils and sustainable crop yields, demonstrating the transformative potential of regenerative farming in challenging environments.
In this episode, Keith and John discuss:
Reduction of nitrogen use and its impact on soil health
How breeding crops for specific traits can lead to nutritional and microbiome imbalances
Soil cover and moisture retention strategies in dryland farming
Challenges in finding markets for specialty crops
Innovative seed treatment methods
Micronutrient application and management
How cover crops enhance biodiversity and ecosystem health
Additional Resources: To learn more about Keith and his farm, please watch: • No-Till Dryland Wheat ...
About John Kempf John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA). A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.​
Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition - a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology.
Support For This Show & Helping You Grow Since 2006, AEA has been on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture.
AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA’s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most.
AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with its products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.
Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers worldwide.
Learn more about AEA’s regenerative programs and products: www.advancingecoag.com

[@marynunn1708]

Excellent insights gentleman. Particularly appreciate your seed treating with worm juice. Thank you both so much!!

[@outlander330cc]

For anyone wondering the seed saving presentation mentioned can be found as "How and why we save seeds - John Kempf" on the channel Sustainable Development Solutions. I'm one of those people who follows John into the far corners of the internet. 😂

[@pennynealeigh6557]

Thanks for your great post.

[@C.Hawkshaw]

Great talk!

[@jontaylor1365]

Blue cornflower is centaurea cyanus is a common weed in cereal crops (hence its name). I use it a lot in cover crop mixes. Here in north German it is also winter hard. It's not small though. It's a tall deep rooted herb.

[@tinfoilhatscholar]

Interesting spacing on the wheat planting

[@JohnMarsing]

Where in Oregon is this? Ion?

[@C.Hawkshaw]

Yes, Ione. My great grandpa homesteaded a wheat farm in Ritzville in 1896. I’m going to forward this to my family who still farm it.

[@patmallon4920]

@@C.Hawkshaw I Live in Hermiston

[@patmallon4920]

Kieth, would you be interested in someone grazing a cover crop? My thought is to work with Green Cover Seeds to create a diverse cover suited to our area

[@rebekadesbouillons3307]

Ione Oregon

[@patmallon4920]

I’ve had the same thought on flooding with the Umatilla River. We’ve lost the water infiltration in the Blue mountains and foothills and now we have this