Sustainability

Sustainable Producers

At AgriNorthwest, we use almost exclusively hydroelectric power. Still, we upgrade facilities and work with local electrical suppliers to improve energy efficiency.

We cooperate with the local universities and extension centers to do on-farm research to improve our practices as well as those of other farmers in the region.

As sustainable producers, we promise to continue to drive progress while contributing to the goals and priorities of our customers and the industry at large.

Learn About Our Environmental Sustainability Practices:

Click the topics below to learn more »

Water

We manage water use by:

Monitoring water penetration during the irrigation season
Scheduling irrigation based on evapotranspiration and/or in-field soil moisture monitoring
Using irrigation systems that are considered efficient by industry best management practices given crop type, date planted, and soil type

Using aerial drones to search for leaks, broken lines, and plugged lines in the irrigation systems
Performing efficiency evaluations

We protect water quality by:

Applying fertilizer based on best management practices
Following best management practices that are consistent with water quality directives as outlined by the state of operation

Implementing best management practices to limit nutrient runoff
Utilizing cover crops or ground cover

Soil

We protect soil health by:

Using a practice called strip tillage. We don’t till the entire field; we till 7-inch strips to plant our corn into. This minimizes wind erosion and dust pollution.
Taking soil tests or tissue samples
Utilizing soil maps

Monitoring erosion and compaction
Training employees on soil health management
Utilizing cover crops throughout the farm

Nutrients

We manage nutrient use by:

Utilizing comprehensive nutrient management plans
Implementing best management practices to guide annual nutrient management
Use of variable-rate fertilization, so that nutrients are placed only on the parts of the field that need it
Operating our own soil lab to do soil Petiole testing

Pest Management

We manage pests and disease by:

Utilizing integrated pest management strategies, including infrared photography of all crops to spot pests and disease
In-house scouting and trapping to understand and proactively manage pest pressure

GHGs

We manage greenhouse gas emissions by:

Promotion of energy efficiency, productivity, and technology upgrades
Using renewable energy
We try to use the newest models of tractors to be more fuel efficient, and the use of electric vehicles is in the testing stages

Performing seasonal/crop nutrient management planning
Implementing genetic selection for efficiency and productivity

We support soil carbon sequestration by:

Utilizing cover crops or ground cover
Implementing no till/reduced tillage practices

Biodiversity

We support biodiversity by:

Preserving natural vegetation. Approximately 41% of AgriNorthwest land is uncultivated, with these acres dedicated for wildlife habitat
Being the winter range for more than 20,000 cattle that graze crop residue and cover crops as well as unirrigated parts of the farm each year

Planting the seeds of a healthy future