Life Sciences Commons^™

Winter Rye Nitrogen Fertility Trial, Heather Darby, Henry Blair

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

The interest in growing cereal rye for grain to be sold as cover crop seed, or to other value-added markets (distillers and bakers), has increased considerably across the Northeast region in recent years. This winter-hardy grain has the ability to survive cold winters and can be more tolerant of marginal land not suitable for other crops. As a result, farmers and end-users are requesting yield and quality information on cereal rye varieties. In 2019/2020, University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops and Soils (NWCS) Program conducted a nitrogen (N) fertility trial to evaluate yield and quality of cereal rye under variable …

Winter Rye Harvest Date, Heather Darby, Henry Blair

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

The interest in growing cereal rye for grain to be sold as cover crop seed, or to other value-added markets (distillers and bakers), has increased considerably across the Northeast region. As a result, farmers and end-users are requesting yield and quality information on cereal rye varieties. In 2020, University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops and Soils (NWCS) Program conducted a harvest date trial to evaluate the effects of harvest date on yield and quality of cereal rye. Wheat and barley require timely harvest to maintain quality, particularly falling number, for successful baking and brewing. It is unclear to what extent …

Winter Rye Variety Trial, Heather Darby, Henry Blair

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

The interest in growing cereal rye for grain to be sold as cover crop seed, or to other value-added markets (distillers and bakers), has increased considerably across the Northeast region in recent years. As a result, farmers and end-users are requesting yield and quality information on cereal rye varieties. In 2020, University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops and Soils (NWCS) Program conducted a variety trial to evaluate yield and quality of cereal rye. The varieties were Akusti, Aroostock, Bono, Brasetto, Danko, Dolero, Hazlet, ND Dylan, Progass, Rymin, Sangasti, Serafino, and Wheeler.

Hemp Flower Nitrogen Fertility Trial, Heather Darby, John Bruce, Scott Lewins, Sara Ziegler

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

Hemp is a non-psychoactive variety of Cannabis sativa L. The crop is one of historical importance in the U.S. and re-emerging worldwide importance as medical providers and manufacturers seek hemp as a renewable and sustainable resource for a wide variety of consumer and industrial products. Hemp grown for all types of end-use (health supplement, fiber, and seed) contains less than 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Some hemp varieties intended to produce a health supplement contain relatively high concentrations of a compound called cannabidiol (CBD), potentially 10-15%. The compound CBD has purported benefits such as relief from inflammation, pain, anxiety, seizures, spasms, and …

Hemp Flower Harvest Date, Heather Darby, John Bruce

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

In the Northeast, hemp harvest can take place any time from late August through October or later depending on hemp varieties and weather conditions. Harvest for autoflowering varieties can somewhat reliably be determined with the use of recommended harvest dates for individual varieties whereas full term or photoperiod sensitive varieties more often require careful monitoring through the use of visual or aromatic cues. Primarily harvest date for flower crops is determined by a number of noticeable changes in the physical characteristics of trichomes, bracts, and pistils. The trichomes, known as capitate-stalked resin glands, will begin to form as stalked structures …

Hemp Flower Combined Phosphorus-Potassium Fertility Trial, Heather Darby, John Bruce, Scott Lewins, Sara Ziegler

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

Hemp is a non-psychoactive variety of Cannabis sativa L. The crop is one of historical importance in the U.S. and re-emerging worldwide importance as medical providers and manufacturers seek hemp as a renewable and sustainable resource for a wide variety of consumer and industrial products. Hemp grown for all types of end-use (health supplement, fiber, and seed) contains less than 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Some hemp varieties intended to produce a health supplement contain relatively high concentrations of a compound called cannabidiol (CBD), potentially 10-15%. The compound CBD has purported benefits such as relief from inflammation, pain, anxiety, seizures, spasms, and …

Hemp Flower Variety Trial, Heather Darby, John Bruce, Ivy Krezinski, Lindsey Ruhl

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

Hemp is a non-psychoactive variety of Cannabis sativa L. The crop is one of historical importance in the U.S. and re-emerging worldwide importance as medical providers and manufacturers seek hemp as a renewable and sustainable resource for a wide variety of consumer and industrial products. Hemp grown for all types of end-use (health supplement, fiber, and seed) contains less than 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Some hemp varieties intended to produce a health supplement contain relatively high concentrations of a compound called cannabidiol (CBD), potentially 10-15%. The compound CBD has purported benefits such as relief from inflammation, pain, anxiety, seizures, spasms, and …

Industrial Grain Hemp Variety Trial, Heather Darby, Rory Malone, John Bruce, Ivy Krezinski, Sara Ziegler

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

Hemp is a non-psychoactive variety of cannabis sativa L. The crop is one of historical importance in the U.S. and reemerging in worldwide importance as manufacturers seek hemp as a renewable and sustainable resource for a wide variety of consumer and industrial products. The crop produces a valuable oilseed, rich in Omega-3, and other essential fatty acids that are often absent in western diets. When the oil is extracted from the seed, what remains is a marketable meal co-product, which is used for human and animal consumption. The fiber has high tensile strength and can be used to create …

Industrial Hemp Fertility Trial, Heather Darby, Rory Malone, John Bruce, Ivy Krezinski

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

Hemp is a non-psychoactive variety of cannabis sativa L. The crop is one of historical importance in the U.S. and reemerging in worldwide importance as manufacturers seek hemp as a renewable and sustainable resource for a wide variety of consumer and industrial products. The crop produces a valuable oilseed and oilseed meal. The fiber has high tensile strength and can be used to create cloth, rope, building materials, and even a form of plastic. Today, industrial hemp is re-emerging as a locally grown product in the U.S. To help farmers succeed, agronomic research on hemp is needed, as much …

On-Farm New England Hemp Pest & Disease Scouting Report, Heather Darby, Ann Hazelrigg, Rory Malone, John Bruce, Ivy Krezinski, Scott Lewins

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

A survey of arthropod pests and disease was conducted on farms throughout New England and New York during the 2020 field season in order to qualify the species composition of arthropod and disease pest on industrial hemp. Hemp is a non-psychoactive variety of cannabis sativa L. The crop is one of historical importance in the U.S. and reemerging in worldwide importance as manufacturers seek hemp as a renewable and sustainable resource for a wide variety of consumer and industrial products. Today, industrial hemp is re-emerging as a locally grown product in the U.S. There is little data on pest …

Conventional Soybean Performance Trials Summary, Heather Darby

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

Maturity range (0 – 2.1) of soybean varieties in Alburgh, VT

Planting Date: 05-21-2020 Harvest Date: 10-15-2020

Impact Of Planting Date And Variety On Soybean Yield, Heather Darby, Sara Ziegler, Ivy Krezinski, Rory Malone

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

In 2020, the University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops and Soils Program investigated the impact of planting date and variety on soybean yield and quality at Borderview Research Farm in Alburgh, VT. Soybeans can be grown for human consumption, animal feed, and biodiesel. Livestock farmers are interested in producing more of their own grains and as a result, soybean acreage in Vermont is increasing. Given the short growing season in Vermont, it is important to understand optimum planting dates to obtain the highest yields. In an effort to support and expand the local soybean market throughout the northeast, the University …

Hop Nitrogen Fertility Trial, Heather Darby, John Bruce, Scott Lewins, Ivy Krezinski

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

Until now, commercial hop (Humulus lupulus L.) production has not occurred in the northeast (NE) region of the United States for 150 years. A combination of the spread of hop downy mildew, the expansion of production in western states, and prohibition laws from the 1920’s contributed to the decline of the 19^th century NE hop industry. Today, the Pacific Northwest states of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho remain the dominant hop production sites of the U.S. However, hop production in non-traditional regions is growing and now accounts for over 2% of the total U.S. hop acreage. Nationally, there has …

Oilseed Meal Fertility Trial, Heather Darby, Rory Malone, Ivy Krezinski, Lindsey Ruhl

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

Oilseed meal can provide a source of plant-derived nitrogen fertilizers. Agronomic research is needed to help farmers implement these alternative fertility sources. Seed meals are a high-protein byproduct of seed oil extraction from crops such as soybean, canola, sunflower, hemp, and peanut. While a byproduct, seed meals still retain nutrient value after oil extraction, and are high in protein. Hence, seed meals are often utilized as livestock feed. Seeds meals can also be used as organic soil amendments and can act as organic fertility sources to farmers. In order to examine the efficacy of several seed meals as fertilizers, the …

Organic Soybean Performance Trials Summary, Heathe Darby

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

Maturity range (0.6 – 1.8) of soybean varieties in Alburgh, VT

Planting Date: 05-21-2020 and Harvest Date: 10-14-2020

Winter Canola Variety Trial, Heather Darby, Rory Malone, Ivy Krezinski, Sara Ziegler

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

The majority of the canola grown in North America is grown in the Midwestern U.S. and Canada for both culinary oil as well as biodiesel production. Winter canola is planted in the late summer where it grows through the fall before entering a period of dormancy for the winter. The following spring, the plants resume growth and seed is harvested during the summer months. Winter canola could potentially be a useful crop to growers in the Northeast for diversifying rotations, farm products and markets, and producing fuel on farm. However, for winter canola to be a viable crop in our …

Cover Crop Termination Trial, Heather Darby, Ivy Krezinski, Sara Ziegler

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

In 2020, the University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops and Soils Program investigated the impact of spring cover crop termination methods on a subsequent soybean crop’s yield and quality at Borderview Research Farm in Alburgh, VT. Soybeans are grown for human consumption, animal feed, and biodiesel, and can be a useful rotational crop in corn silage and grass production systems. As cover cropping expands throughout Vermont, it is important to understand the potential benefits, consequences, and risks associated with growing cover crops in various cropping systems. In an effort to support the local soybean market and to gain a better …

Brassica Production Practices And Concerns In Vermont And The Northeast, Heather Darby

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

Brassica crops are an important crop on diversified vegetable farms in Vermont and the Northeast. Brassicas are becoming more popular as a cover crop due to their unique benefits to soil health. They can provide ground cover and cover crop biomass quickly in the fall, and brassicas with long taproots further break up compaction in the soil. Brassicas on vegetable farms include rutabaga, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, collards, and mustard greens. Despite the benefits, not all vegetables producers are quick to add brassicas or brassica cover crops to their rotation due to pest and disease management concerns. Increased …

Closing The Nutrient Loop Through An Innovative Organic Fertilizer Technology Field Tested For Vegetable Crops, Heather Darby

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

Excess nutrients from agricultural, industrial, and wastewater runoff result in harmful algae blooms in rivers, lakes, and the ocean. Inorganic nitrogen and phosphorous can fuel the rapid growth of algae, which deprives the aquatic environment of oxygen and sunlight. This process, eutrophication, results in anoxic “dead zones” and threatens ecosystems and access to clean water.

In agriculture, this nutrient pollution can be controlled by implementing and improving practices that reduce runoff, such as building good soil structure and not over-fertilizing nitrogen and phosphorus using slow release fertilizers.

Closing The Nutrient Loop Through An Innovative Organic Fertilizer Technology Field Tested For Corn, Heather Darby

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

Excess nutrients from agricultural, industrial, and wastewater runoff result in harmful algae blooms in rivers, lakes, and the ocean. Inorganic nitrogen and phosphorous can fuel the rapid growth of algae, which deprives the aquatic environment of oxygen and sunlight. This process, eutrophication, results in anoxic “dead zones” and threatens ecosystems and access to clean water.

In agriculture, this nutrient pollution can be controlled by implementing and improving practices that reduce runoff, such as building good soil structure and not over-fertilizing nitrogen and phosphorus using slow release fertilizers.

Impact Of Cover Crops On No-Till Spring Grain Production, Heather Darby, Rory Malone, Ivy Krezinski

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

Soil health is fundamentally important to crop productivity. Cover cropping is one method of improving soil health, by preventing soil erosion and nutrient runoff, improving soil aggregation and nutrients, as well as providing other benefits to soils and crop productivity. Cover crops have also been noted for their ability to suppress weeds. Some cover crops have been noted for their allelopathic characteristics, which can decrease the germination of weeds. No-till and reduced tillage practices can also increase water infiltration and reduce soil degradation while keeping carbon in the soil. Different types of cover crops, such as grasses, legumes, and brassicas, …

From Tap To Table: Consumer Values, Producer Attitudes, And Vermont Maple Syrup In A Dynamic Landscape, Aidan Conor Mccracken

Graduate College Dissertations and Theses

Harvesting the sap of maple trees [Acer saccharum] for use in the production of syrups and sugars has a storied history stretching back to the pre-Columbian practices of North America’s indigenous peoples. Since its adaptation by European settlers in the late seventeenth century and into the present day, the production of maple syrup has become especially integral to the livelihoods and cultural identities of farmers in Vermont. While oftentimes esteemed as a timeless agrarian tradition, market forces and environmental changes have led maple syrup producers (or sugarmakers) to adopt new production practices that scarcely resemble the taps, buckets, and draft …

Examining Vermont Agricultural Producers’ Willingness To Pay For Extension One-On-One Business Planning Services And Future Programming Considerations, Anthony Kitsos

Graduate College Dissertations and Theses

ABSTRACT

Extension agricultural business programs have provided enhanced individualized services to Vermont’s agricultural producers by using a variety of external funding sources combined with base departmental funds. These farm business programs are uniquely positioned to deliver one-on-one outreach education and information that not only has a direct benefit to private farm business owners but indirectly serves the public good by enhancing farm business viability. Meanwhile, there is an ongoing cultural shift among Extension professionals and farm owners who acknowledge that Extension programs cannot be sustained at low or no cost to participants. Funding for Extension programming has been declining for …

Vermont Organic Silage Corn Performance Trial, Heather Darby, Sara Ziegler, John Bruce, Ivy Krezinski, Rory Malone

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

The University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops and Soils Program conducted an organic silage corn variety trial in 2019 to provide unbiased performance comparisons of commercially available varieties. With the expansion of the organic dairy industry in our region there is increased interest in organic corn silage production. To determine varieties that are best suited to this production system and our region’s climate, we evaluated 11 commercially available organic corn silage varieties. It is important to remember that the data presented are from a replicated research trial from only one location in Vermont and represent only one season. Crop performance …

Cool Season Annual Forage Mixtures Trial, Heather Darby, Rory Malone, Lindsey Ruhl, Sara Ziegler

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

In 2019, the University of Vermont Extension’s Northwest Crop and Soils Program evaluated the performance of cool season annuals for forage planted in mixtures and in monoculture. In the Northeast, cool season perennial grasses dominate pastures and hay meadows that farmers rely on. Often times during the fall months, the perennial pasture will decline in yield and quality. The addition of cool season annual forages into the grazing system during this time may help improve the quality and quantity of forage and potentially extend the grazing season. Recently, there has been a growing interest in utilizing multiple cool season forage …

Industrial Hemp Fertility Trial, Heather Darby, Rory Malone, John Bruce, Ivy Krezinski, Sara Ziegler

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

Hemp is a non-psychoactive variety of cannabis sativa L. The crop is one of historical importance in the U.S. and reemerging in worldwide importance as manufacturers seek hemp as a renewable and sustainable resource for a wide variety of consumer and industrial products. The crop produces a valuable oilseed and oilseed meal. The fiber has high tensile strength and can be used to create cloth, rope, building materials, and even a form of plastic. For twenty years, U.S. manufacturers have been importing hemp from China, Eastern Europe, and Canada. Today, industrial hemp is re-emerging as a locally grown product …

Oilseed Meal Fertility Trial, Heather Darby, Rory Malone

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

Oilseed meal can provide a source of plant-derived nitrogen fertilizers. Agronomic research is needed to help farmers implement these alternative fertility sources. Seed meals are a high-protein byproduct of seed oil extraction from crops such as soybean, canola, sunflower, hemp, and peanut. While a byproduct, seed meals still retain nutrient value after oil extraction, and are high in protein. Hence, seed meals are often utilized as livestock feed. Seeds meals can also be used as organic soil amendments, and can act as organic fertility sources to farmers. In order to examine the efficacy of several seed meals as fertilizers, the …

Spring Wheat Crosses Trial, Heather Darby, Hillary Emick, Haley Jean, Ivy Krezinski, Rory Malone

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

The goal of this project is to develop new spring wheat varieties that are suited for organic management in Northeast soils and climatic conditions. Most commercially available varieties are developed in regions with climates, soils, and management techniques that are very different from northern New England. These modern varieties are also genetically homogenous and inbred for uniformity, sometimes resulting in rapid breakdown of genetic resistance to local diseases.

Eight crosses were developed by Dr. Stephen Jones of Washington State University, including crosses of two varieties bred by famed Vermont botanist and wheat breeder, Cyrus Pringle. Of these varieties, a number …

Rye Variety Trial, Heather Darby, John Bruce, Haley Jean, Ivy Krezinski

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

The interest in growing cereal rye for grain to be sold as cover crop seed, or to other value-added markets (distillers and bakers), has increased considerably across the Northeast region. As a result, farmers and end-users are requesting yield and quality information on cereal rye varieties. In 2019, University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops and Soils (NWCS) Program conducted a variety trial to evaluate yield and quality of cereal rye. The varieties were Wren’s Abruzzi, Helltop, Bono, Merced, Dolero, Hazlet, Danko, Brassetto, ND Dylan, Huron, Musketeer, Aroostook, Guardian, Wheeler, and Spooner.

Milkweed Production Trials, Heather Darby, Sara Ziegler, John Bruce, Ivy Krezinski, Lindsey Ruhl

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) is a plant native to North America and has recently become the focus of conservation programs, as Milkweed is the sole food source for declining populations of Monarch butterfly larvae. Milkweed (Image 1) has long been a foe of agricultural operations and as a result, populations have been on the decline throughout the United States. To increase the abundance and scale of conservation plantings of milkweed, the Natural Resource and Conservation Service (NRCS) has developed an incentive program to compensate landowners for establishing perennial monarch habitat including planting milkweed. Landowners in northern Vermont have a …