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Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences
Minimum Tillage Corn Trial, Heather Darby, Jeff Sanders, Hannah Harwood, Rosalie Madden, Erica Cummings
Minimum Tillage Corn Trial, Heather Darby, Jeff Sanders, Hannah Harwood, Rosalie Madden, Erica Cummings
Northwest Crops & Soils Program
No abstract provided.
Organic Spring Wheat Seeding Rate Trial Report, Heather Darby, Erica Cummings, Hannah Harwood, Rosalie Madden, Susan Monahan
Organic Spring Wheat Seeding Rate Trial Report, Heather Darby, Erica Cummings, Hannah Harwood, Rosalie Madden, Susan Monahan
Northwest Crops & Soils Program
Throughout Vermont and the Northeast, the demand for local organically grown wheat continues to rise. Due to this demand, there has been a renewed interest by producers to add wheat into their crop rotations. Several producers have asked questions about the best agronomic practices for cultivating organic spring wheat. As a result, University of Vermont Extension has been developing best agronomic practices for wheat production in the Northeast. Seeding rates can influence weed populations as well as overall yield and quality. The purpose of this trial was to determine optimum seeding rates for organic spring wheat in Vermont.
Organic Winter Wheat Planting Date Trial, Heather Darby, Katie Blair, Erica Cummings, Hannah Harwood, Rosalie Madden, Susan Monahan
Organic Winter Wheat Planting Date Trial, Heather Darby, Katie Blair, Erica Cummings, Hannah Harwood, Rosalie Madden, Susan Monahan
Northwest Crops & Soils Program
In 2012, the University of Vermont Extension conducted a winter wheat planting date trial for the first time. As the demand for local organic wheat has risen over the last few years, UVM Extension has been trying to determine the best agronomic practices for wheat production in the problematic Northeastern climate. Traditionally, producers have planted winter wheat after the Hessian fly free date, 15-Sep. Producers are interested in knowing how late they can plant their wheat in order to plan rotations and maximize yield.
Vermont On-Farm Spring Wheat Breeding Trials, Heather Darby, Susan Monahan, Erica Cummings, Hannah Harwood, Rosalie Madden
Vermont On-Farm Spring Wheat Breeding Trials, Heather Darby, Susan Monahan, Erica Cummings, Hannah Harwood, Rosalie Madden
Northwest Crops & Soils Program
On-farm wheat breeding began in Vermont, in cooperation with UVM Extension, in 2007 with a USDA SARE grant to build farmer knowledge in plant breeding. The goal of on-farm breeding is to develop spring wheat varieties that are suited for organic management in Vermont soils and climactic conditions. Most commercially available varieties are developed in regions with climates, soils and management techniques that are very different from our own. In addition, those varieties are genetically homogenous and inbred for uniformity. This has often led to rapid breakdown of genetic resistance to local diseases. To address this situation, farmers in Vermont …
Long Season Corn Silage Variety Trial, Heather Darby, Conner Burke, Erica Cummings, Rosalie Madden, Hannah Harwood, Susan Monahan
Long Season Corn Silage Variety Trial, Heather Darby, Conner Burke, Erica Cummings, Rosalie Madden, Hannah Harwood, Susan Monahan
Northwest Crops & Soils Program
In 2012, the University of Vermont Extension Crops and Soils Team evaluated yield and quality of long season corn silage varieties at Borderview Research Farm in Alburgh, VT. Long season corn can be difficult to grow in Vermont, due to our climate’s restricted Growing Degree Days (GDDs). However, on many farms long season corn can often produce higher yields and quality than many short-season varieties. The test site was at Borderview Research Farm in Alburgh, VT, which has what is considered one of the longest growing seasons in Vermont (2,717 GDDs in May - Oct 2012).
Vermont Organic Corn Silage Performance Trial Results, Heather Darby, Susan Monahan, Erica Cummings, Rosalie Madden, Hannah Harwood
Vermont Organic Corn Silage Performance Trial Results, Heather Darby, Susan Monahan, Erica Cummings, Rosalie Madden, Hannah Harwood
Northwest Crops & Soils Program
Many organic dairies are considering corn silage production to help reduce expensive concentrate purchases. Corn silage is a good source of energy/starch for livestock. In 2012, the University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops and Soils Program conducted organic corn silage variety trials in Alburgh and Randolph, Vermont. The purpose of these trials is to provide unbiased performance comparisons of commercially available organic silage corn varieties. It is important to remember however, that the data presented are from replicated research trials from two locations in Vermont and represent only one season. Crop performance data from different locations and over several years …
Short Season Corn Silage Variety Trial, Heather Darby, Conner Burke, Erica Cummings, Rosalie Madden, Hannah Harwood, Susan Monahan
Short Season Corn Silage Variety Trial, Heather Darby, Conner Burke, Erica Cummings, Rosalie Madden, Hannah Harwood, Susan Monahan
Northwest Crops & Soils Program
In 2012, the University of Vermont Extension Crops and Soils Team evaluated yield and quality of short season corn silage varieties at Borderview Research Farm in Alburgh, VT. While short season corn is an obvious choice in areas that accumulate fewer Growing Degree Days (GDDs), it also has a place in longer season areas. Past UVM Extension variety trials have shown that many shorter season corn varieties can have comparable yield and quality to longer season corn. Growing a shorter season variety can also provide other benefits such as an earlier harvest allowing for more time in the fall for …
Summer Annual Variety Trial, Heather Darby, Conner Burke, Erica Cummings, Hannah Harwood, Rosalie Madden, Susan Monahan
Summer Annual Variety Trial, Heather Darby, Conner Burke, Erica Cummings, Hannah Harwood, Rosalie Madden, Susan Monahan
Northwest Crops & Soils Program
Warm season grasses are a high-yielding summer annual. They can provide quality forage in the hot summer months, when cool season grasses are not as productive. The addition of this crop into your rotation can allow you to harvest high-quality forage for stored feed or pasture. As with any crop though, summer annuals have their advantages and disadvantages. Some advantages include, fast germination/emergence, rapid growth, high productivity and flexibility in utilization. Some disadvantages include high cost of annual establishment and increased risk of stand failure when presented with variable weather patterns. In 2012, UVM Extension conducted a summer annual variety …
Forage Brassica Variety Trial, Heather Darby, Hannah Harwood, Erica Cummings, Rosalie Madden, Susan Monahan
Forage Brassica Variety Trial, Heather Darby, Hannah Harwood, Erica Cummings, Rosalie Madden, Susan Monahan
Northwest Crops & Soils Program
Forage brassicas can provide a near-concentrate type diet late in the season, allow for an extra grazing opportunity after annual row crops are harvested, and establish forage to fill a gap in feed quality and supply. These crops can provide a high quality feed in a short period of time, fitting well into rotations of other crops, extending the grazing season and reducing reliance on expensive commercial feed inputs. The University of Vermont’s Northwest Crops & Soils Program conducted a forage brassica variety trial to evaluate yield and quality of this annual crop.
Summer Annual X Fertility Rate Trial, Heather Darby, Conner Burke, Erica Cummings, Hannah Harwood, Rosalie Madden, Susan Monahan
Summer Annual X Fertility Rate Trial, Heather Darby, Conner Burke, Erica Cummings, Hannah Harwood, Rosalie Madden, Susan Monahan
Northwest Crops & Soils Program
Warm season grasses are high yield and quality forages best grown during the hot and dry summer months. They can provide quality pasture in the summer months when common cool season grasses are not as productive. Warm season grasses can also be harvested for stored feed. As with any crop though, summer annuals have their advantages and disadvantages. Some advantages include fast germination/emergence, rapid growth, high productivity and flexibility in utilization. Some disadvantages include high cost of annual establishment and high nitrogen (N) requirements. Summer annuals such as sorghum, sudangrass, sorghum x sudangrass and millets are heavy N feeders and …
Small Grain Forage Trial Nitrogen Fertility And Harvest Date, Heather Darby, Susan Monahan, Erica Cummings, Hannah Harwood, Rosalie Madden
Small Grain Forage Trial Nitrogen Fertility And Harvest Date, Heather Darby, Susan Monahan, Erica Cummings, Hannah Harwood, Rosalie Madden
Northwest Crops & Soils Program
Cool season annual forages, such as cereal grains, can provide early season grazing as well as high quality stored feed. However, it is unclear if quality and yield of these forages could be improved through better fertility management. Improved quality of homegrown forages can help to reduce expensive grain purchases. In addition, production of high quality forage can improve the level of beneficial fats (i.e. Omege-3) in the milk. In order to produce forage with the highest levels of beneficial fats management practices may need to be modified. It is unclear if nitrogen management will impact the level of beneficial …
Spring Barley Variety Trial, Heather Darby
Spring Barley Variety Trial, Heather Darby
Northwest Crops & Soils Program
With the revival of the small grains industry in the Northeast and the strength of the localvore movement, craft breweries and distilleries have expressed an interest in local barley for malting. Malting barley must meet specific quality characteristics such as low protein content and high germination. Many farmers are also interested in barley as a concentrate source for their livestock. Depending on the variety, barley can be planted in either the spring or fall. In 2012, UVM Extension conducted two spring barley trials to evaluate the yield and quality of publicly available malting and feed barley varieties.
Spring Wheat Variety Trial, Heather Darby, Erica Cummings, Hannah Harwood, Rosalie Madden, Susan Monahan
Spring Wheat Variety Trial, Heather Darby, Erica Cummings, Hannah Harwood, Rosalie Madden, Susan Monahan
Northwest Crops & Soils Program
In April of 2012, the University of Vermont Extension, in collaboration with the University of Maine, began the third year of extensive organic variety trials evaluating hard red spring wheat in order to determine which varieties thrive in our northern climate. The trials were established at the Borderview Research Farm in Alburgh, Vermont and at Cornell University’s Willsboro Research Farm in Willsboro, New York. Several varieties that did not perform well in previous trial years were eliminated from the 2012 variety trials. This trial is one of several in a USDA Organic Research Education Initiative grant focused on the production …
Heirloom Spring Wheat Variety Trial Report, Heather Darby, Katie Blair, Erica Cummings, Hannah Harwood, Rosalie Madden, Susan Monahan
Heirloom Spring Wheat Variety Trial Report, Heather Darby, Katie Blair, Erica Cummings, Hannah Harwood, Rosalie Madden, Susan Monahan
Northwest Crops & Soils Program
UVM Extension began its heirloom spring wheat project in 2007 to determine whether heirloom varieties developed before 1950 could thrive in Vermont’s climate. Many consumers are interested in heirloom wheat as they feel it has better flavor, while many farmers are also interested in heirloom wheat varieties as they may have superior genetics that are better adapted to the challenging growing conditions in the Northeast. This variety trial was established to determine which heirloom spring wheat varieties are viable in Vermont’s growing conditions. Three Vermont heirloom varieties have been re-introduced through this project. Defiance, Champlain and Surprise were developed by …
Winter Wheat Variety Trial, Heather Darby, Erica Cummings, Hannah Harwood, Rosalie Madden, Susan Monahan
Winter Wheat Variety Trial, Heather Darby, Erica Cummings, Hannah Harwood, Rosalie Madden, Susan Monahan
Northwest Crops & Soils Program
In 2012, the University of Vermont Extension, in collaboration with the University of Maine, began the third year of extensive organic variety trials evaluating hard red winter wheat in order to determine which varieties thrive in our northern climate. The trials were established at the Borderview Research Farm in Alburgh, Vermont and at Cornell University’s Willsboro Research Farm in Willsboro, New York. In the 2012 varietal selection process, varieties that in previous trial years had not performed well were eliminated. This trial is one of several in a USDA Organic Research Education Initiative grant focused on the production of high …
Heirloom Winter Wheat Trial, Heather Darby, Susan Monahan, Erica Cummings, Hannah Harwood, Rosalie Madden
Heirloom Winter Wheat Trial, Heather Darby, Susan Monahan, Erica Cummings, Hannah Harwood, Rosalie Madden
Northwest Crops & Soils Program
In 2012, UVM Extension conducted a winter heirloom variety trial. Many consumers are interested in heirloom wheat for flavor, perceived health benefits or its history, while many farmers are interested in heirloom wheat because it may have superior genetics better adapted to the challenging growing conditions in the Northeast. This variety trial was established to determine what heirloom winter wheat varieties are viable in Vermont’s growing conditions.
Oat Variety Trial Report, Heather Darby, Katie Blair, Erica Cummings, Hannah Harwood, Rosalie Madden, Susan Monahan
Oat Variety Trial Report, Heather Darby, Katie Blair, Erica Cummings, Hannah Harwood, Rosalie Madden, Susan Monahan
Northwest Crops & Soils Program
Oats (Avena sativa L.) have a long history of production in the Northeast. Although most oats are planted for a cover crop or hay, grain oats are a potential revenue source for farmers. According to the 2007 census, about 200 acres of land in Vermont is cultivated for oat grain production, with an average yield of 1747 lbs per acre. With the exception of hull-less varieties, oats need to be de-hulled before being used for human consumption and further processing is required to make oatmeal, steel cut oats or oat flour. Since 2009, the University of Vermont Extension has conducted …
Organic Winter Wheat Planting Date Trial, Heather Darby, Katie Blair, Erica Cummings, Hannah Harwood, Rosalie Madden, Susan Monahan
Organic Winter Wheat Planting Date Trial, Heather Darby, Katie Blair, Erica Cummings, Hannah Harwood, Rosalie Madden, Susan Monahan
Northwest Crops & Soils Program
In 2012, the University of Vermont Extension conducted a winter wheat planting date trial for the first time. As the demand for local organic wheat has risen over the last few years, UVM Extension has been trying to determine the best agronomic practices for wheat production in the problematic Northeastern climate. Traditionally, producers have planted winter wheat after the Hessian fly free date, 15-Sep. Producers are interested in knowing how late they can plant their wheat in order to plan rotations and maximize yield.
Organic Spring Wheat Weed Control Strategies Report, Heather Darby, Erica Cummings, Hannah Harwood, Rosalie Madden, Susan Monahan
Organic Spring Wheat Weed Control Strategies Report, Heather Darby, Erica Cummings, Hannah Harwood, Rosalie Madden, Susan Monahan
Northwest Crops & Soils Program
Many organic cereal grain growers struggle with weed issues, especially in spring wheat. Weed competition is one of the major issues in spring wheat due to many factors. Some of those factors include weed seed flushes from spring tillage and weed germination at the same time as crop germination. With this in mind, the University of Vermont Extension has begun conducting trials to evaluate the effects of different weed control methods in spring wheat. In 2012, the study was continued to develop strategies that will minimize weed competition while maintaining yield and quality parameters to successfully produce high-quality bread wheat. …
The Effects Of Topdressing Organic Nitrogen On Hard Red Winter Wheat, Heather Darby, Erica Cummings, Hannah Harwood, Rosalie Madden, Susan Monahan
The Effects Of Topdressing Organic Nitrogen On Hard Red Winter Wheat, Heather Darby, Erica Cummings, Hannah Harwood, Rosalie Madden, Susan Monahan
Northwest Crops & Soils Program
The demand for local organic food is steadily increasing throughout Vermont and New England. Consumers are asking for bread baked with locally grown wheat; however, bakers have been slow to incorporate local wheat flour because of the challenges associated with obtaining grains that consistently meet bread-baking standards. Addressing the quality issue is essential for expanding the bread flour market in the northeast. One of the major quality factors facing Vermont grain producers is protein content. Much of the winter wheat currently produced in Vermont has protein levels below what most commercial mills would consider suitable for flour production. Commercial mills …
Organic Soybean Variety Trial, Heather Darby, Katie Blair, Erica Cummings, Hannah Harwood, Rosalie Madden, Susan Monahan
Organic Soybean Variety Trial, Heather Darby, Katie Blair, Erica Cummings, Hannah Harwood, Rosalie Madden, Susan Monahan
Northwest Crops & Soils Program
Since 2009, the University of Vermont Extension has conducted soybean variety trials to provide yield comparisons of food- and feed-grade soybeans in Vermont’s climate. Varietal selection is one of the most important aspects of crop production and significantly influences yield potential. It is important to remember however, that the data presented are from replicated research trials from only one location in Vermont and represent only one season. Crop performance data from additional tests in different locations and over several years should be compared before making final varietal selections.
Winter Canola Variety Trial, Heather Darby, Katie Blair, Erica Cummings, Hannah Harwood, Rosalie Madden, Susan Monahan
Winter Canola Variety Trial, Heather Darby, Katie Blair, Erica Cummings, Hannah Harwood, Rosalie Madden, Susan Monahan
Northwest Crops & Soils Program
In 2012, the University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops and Soils Program initiated a winter canola variety trial in Alburgh, VT as part of the 2011-2012 National Winter Canola Variety Trial. In the past few years, many farms in the Northeast have been engaged in on-farm fuel production; farmers must be able to reliably produce a high-yielding crop in order for this to be economically feasible. Growing winter canola holds many possible advantages for Vermont farms since it is sown in the early fall, allowing it to easily fit into rotations following short-season grain or corn. Winter canola is a …
Sunflower Variety Trial, Heather Darby, Hannah Harwood, Erica Cummings, Rosalie Madden, Susan Monahan
Sunflower Variety Trial, Heather Darby, Hannah Harwood, Erica Cummings, Rosalie Madden, Susan Monahan
Northwest Crops & Soils Program
Oilseed sunflower is a relatively new crop for Vermont and the Northeast in general. Because of regional differences in soil conditions, length of growing season, and weather patterns, it is important to select varieties that will perform well under Vermont’s specific conditions. Sunflower varieties that will perform well here will generally be early to medium in maturity and have good disease resistance. In addition, varietal differences in plant stand characteristics (such as height and head diameter) may confer ability to resist pest pressures and increase yields and overall quality. The goal of this study is to evaluate pest pressure as …
Sunflower Population And Nitrogen Rate Trial, Heather Darby, Hannah Harwood, Erica Cummings, Rosalie Madden, Susan Monahan
Sunflower Population And Nitrogen Rate Trial, Heather Darby, Hannah Harwood, Erica Cummings, Rosalie Madden, Susan Monahan
Northwest Crops & Soils Program
Sunflower (Helianthus annus L.) is a warm-season crop with the potential to add high value to diversified farms in the Northeast as a rotation crop, an on-farm fuel production source, and an added-value retail crop. Production of high-yielding sunflower crops is highly influenced by plant population and adequate nitrogen (N). Applying excessive N to sunflower can have detrimental effects to the crop and environment as well as decreasing profits for farmers. Sunflower populations can also have a significant impact on yield and quality. In Vermont where a more temperate climate prevails, higher plant populations may be advantageous compared to the …
Winter Canola Survival, Heather Darby, Hannah Harwood, Erica Cummings, Susan Monahan
Winter Canola Survival, Heather Darby, Hannah Harwood, Erica Cummings, Susan Monahan
Northwest Crops & Soils Program
Winter canola (Brassica napus) is a relatively new crop in Vermont. This crop has the potential to be added into a rotation to both promote soil health and yield a crop for oil production. Generally planted in late August or early September, winter canola should produce ample vegetation and root growth prior to plant dormancy (Figure 1). Growers can often fit a canola crop in after harvesting winter grains or other early crops. Regrowth in the spring depends on the harshness of winter conditions, but generally the plants are “greening up” in April, and will enter the rosette stage and …
Winter Canola Planting Date Trial, Heather Darby, Hannah Harwood, Erica Cummings, Rosalie Madden, Susan Monahan
Winter Canola Planting Date Trial, Heather Darby, Hannah Harwood, Erica Cummings, Rosalie Madden, Susan Monahan
Northwest Crops & Soils Program
Because winter canola is a relatively new crop for the Northeastern United States, optimal planting dates for winter canola have not yet been established for this region. Therefore, the goal of this project was to determine the impact of planting date and variety selection on winter canola plant characteristics, as well as seed and oil yields. Winter canola is planted in late summer/early fall and harvested the following summer. Getting canola planted as early as possible is often recommended for Midwest producers, but growers in the Northeast struggle with timing canola seeding after harvesting another crop, as well as wet …
Sunflower Planting Date Trial, Heather Darby, Hannah Harwood, Erica Cummings, Rosalie Madden, Susan Monahan
Sunflower Planting Date Trial, Heather Darby, Hannah Harwood, Erica Cummings, Rosalie Madden, Susan Monahan
Northwest Crops & Soils Program
Sunflower is a relatively new crop for the Northeast, and producers are interested in growing this crop for both the oil and seed meal. These products can be used for fuel, feed and food. Sunflower can yield well here in Vermont, but pest pressures often compromise strong yields. Altering planting dates may help to mitigate some of these pest pressures by getting the plants through a vulnerable growth stage before or after the most active periods in a pest’s lifecycle. In addition, certain varieties may be impacted differently by alterations in planting date. Because Vermont has a short growing season, …
Cover Crop Termination & Reduced Tillage Study, Heather Darby, Susan Monahan, Erica Cummings, Hannah Harwood, Rosalie Madden
Cover Crop Termination & Reduced Tillage Study, Heather Darby, Susan Monahan, Erica Cummings, Hannah Harwood, Rosalie Madden
Northwest Crops & Soils Program
When a crop such as corn silage is harvested in the fall, the entire plant is removed leaving the soil exposed through the winter. These exposed soils are more prone to run-off and erosion of sediment and nutrients into surface waters. As a means to alleviate these issues, many farmers have started to plant cover crops following harvest. Growing a cover crop can have many positive benefits to the soil and the surrounding environment. Cover crops produce aboveground biomass that can absorb the impact of rain drops and slow the flow of water from melting snow. The root system also …
Enhancing Forages With Nutrient Dense Sprays 2012 Trials, Heather Darby, Susan Monahan, Erica Cummings, Hannah Harwood, Rosalie Madden
Enhancing Forages With Nutrient Dense Sprays 2012 Trials, Heather Darby, Susan Monahan, Erica Cummings, Hannah Harwood, Rosalie Madden
Northwest Crops & Soils Program
The nutrient dense study was initiated at two locations in Vermont to test the efficacy of amending forages with foliar sprays. The nutrient spray program was developed by Advancing Eco-Agriculture and consisted of five foliar sprays for the Vermont farms in this study. The recommended spray program included applications of Rejuvenate in the early spring and late fall, and a combination of PhotoMag, Phosphorus, Potassium and MicroPak applied in the spring and after each cut of hay or graze (Table 1). This study was conducted based on farmer interest in enhancing nutrient density of forages through foliar sprays and was …