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Extension Success StoriesView OSU Extension Success Stories by Program AreaAgricultureQuality control management of Oregon wines The Extension Enology program provides technical assistance to Oregon's 185 wineries, helping producers fine-tune quality control practices to improve Oregon's wines. Gains in wine quality assurance made possible via efforts of Extension's enology have resulted in more than $1 million in direct economic benefits to Oregon's $33 million wine industry. OSU Foundation Potato Seed Program Disease-free planting stock provided by the OSU Foundation Potato Seed Program—jointly supported by Extension and the OSU Dept. of Crop and Soil Science—helps growers avoid the cost of expensive pesticide applications to control plant diseases. The value of disease-free potato seed is estimated to be worth $4.7 million annually to the state’s multimillion dollar potato industry. Early warning network alerts growers about crop pests Agricultural producers in eastern Oregon are able to head off potentially devastating insect pest invasions thanks to the Treasure Valley Pest Alert Network. This interactive, Web-based system enables growers to anticipate and respond to spreading pest infestations before they cause significant crop damage. The network makes possible a savings of $2 million annually in crop value that might have been lost to insect pests. |