Life Sciences Commons^™

Cool Season Annual Forage Mixtures Trial, Heather Darby, Sara Ziegler, Amanda Gervais, Abha Gupta, Lindsey Ruhl

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

In 2017, the University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops and Soils Program evaluated yield and quality of cool season annuals and mixtures of these annuals at Borderview Research Farm in Alburgh, VT. In the Northeast, cool season perennial grasses dominate the pastures and hay meadows farmers rely on throughout the season. Often times during the fall months, the perennial pasture will decline in yield and quality. 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 …

Maximizing Forage Yields In Corn Silage Systems With Winter Grains, Heather Darby, Sara Ziegler, Abha Gupta, Lindsey Ruhl

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

Producing sufficient high quality forage on farms is becoming difficult given current economic and environmental pressures. Farmers are looking for strategies to improve yield and quality of their own forage to reduce the financial burden of purchasing feed off-farm. In addition, with increasing focus on managing farm nutrient balances for environmental reasons, farmers are also looking to decrease the importation of additional nutrients from feed onto their farms. One strategy for accomplishing this is utilizing winter grains, such as rye, wheat and triticale, as forage crops. These crops could be grazed or harvested in the fall to extend the grazing …

Forage Brassica Variety Trial, Heather Darby, Sara Ziegler, Amanda Gerrvais, Abha Gupta, Lindsey Ruhl

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

Forage brassicas are very cold hardy and can extend the grazing season late into the fall. They grow extremely fast and provide very nutrient dense feed at times when growth is limited for many other species. Brassicas fit well into some annual crop rotations such as small grains or summer annual forages. Adding brassicas to a grazing plan can not only extend the grazing season but can also reduce the reliance on expensive feed inputs. There are many different species of forage type brassicas on the market today including mustards, turnips, radishes, and kales. In 2017, the University of Vermont’s …

Perennial Forage Trial, Heather Darby, Sara Ziegler, Kelly Drollette, Abha Gupta, Lindsey Ruhl

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

In 2015, the University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops and Soils Program initiated a trial investigating forage yield, quality, and nitrogen use efficiency of cool season perennial grasses alone and in combination with red clover. The grass species selected were orchardgrass, timothy, brome, and meadow fescue. These grasses were chosen as they have been shown in previous research to have adequate survivability and forage production in this region compared to other species such as perennial ryegrass or festulolium. The goal of this trial is to evaluate these species not only for forage yield and quality, but also nitrogen use efficiency …

Corn Cropping Systems To Improve Economic And Environmental Health, Heather Darby, Lindsey Ruhl, Sara Ziegler, Julija Cubins, Abha Gupta

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

In 2017, UVM Extension’s Northwest Crops & Soils Program continued a multi-year trial at Borderview Research Farm in Alburgh, VT to assess the impact of corn cropping systems on overall health and productivity of the crop and soil. Yields are important and they affect the bottom line immediately and obviously. Management choices involving crop rotation, tillage, nutrient management, and cover crops also make differences in the long term. Growing corn with practices that enhance soil quality and crop yields improves farm resiliency to both economics and the environment. This project evaluated yield and soil health effects of five different corn …

Summer Annual Variety Trial, Heather Darby, Sara Ziegler, Erica Cummings, Abha Gupta

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

Warm season grasses, such as sudangrass, and millet can provide quality forage in the hot summer months, when the cool season grasses enter dormancy and decline in productivity. The addition of summer annuals into a rotation can provide a harvest of high-quality forage for stored feed or grazing during this critical time. Generally, summer annuals germinate quickly, grow rapidly, are drought resistant, and have high productivity and flexibility in utilization. The UVM Extension Northwest Crops and Soils team conducted this variety trial to evaluate the yield and quality of warm season annual grasses.

Forage Intercropping For Resiliency Experiment, Heather Darby, Lindsey Ruhl, Amanda Gervais, Abha Gupta, Sara Ziegler

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

Producing high quality forage crops is exceedingly challenging in Vermont as climate change progresses with more precipitation, faster rates of precipitation, and higher annual temperatures (Faulkner, 2014). Knowing which cropping systems, annual or perennial, and which forage species will grow best in this challenging environment is crucial to the success of our forage-based farm operations. Increased species and variety diversity has been shown to increase resiliency or tolerance to pests and environmental stress, however it can also make it more difficult to harvest at peak quality and yield. This project evaluates the productivity of both perennial and annual forage systems …

Using Winter Rye As Forage In Corn Silage Systems, Heather Darby, Sara Ziegler, Nate Brigham, Julija Cubins, Abha Gupta

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

Producing sufficient high quality forage throughout the year is becoming difficult given current economic and environmental pressures. Farmers are looking for strategies to improve yield and quality of their own forage to reduce the financial burden of purchasing feed off-farm. In addition, with increasing focus on managing farm nutrient balances for environmental reasons, farmers are also looking to decrease the importation of additional nutrients from feed onto their farms. One strategy for accomplishing this is utilizing winter grains, such as winter rye, as forage crops. These crops could be grazed or harvested in the fall to extend the grazing season, …

Heirloom Winter Wheat Variety Trial, Heather Darby, Hillary Emick, Erica Cummings, Abha Gupta, Lindsey Ruhl, Sara Ziegler

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

In 2017, the University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops and Soils Program evaluated 20 heirloom winter wheat varieties to determine which varieties thrive in organic production systems in northern Vermont. 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. Production of heirloom wheat may also provide a farmer with a value added market with increased returns. This was the sixth year that this trial was conducted in Vermont.

Oat Variety Trial, Heather Darby, Haley Jean, Erica Cummings, Hillary Emick

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 forage, 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 ac-1. 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 Program has conducted …

Organic Spring Barley Variety Trial, Heather Darby, Erica Cummings, Hillary Emick

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

With the revival of the small grains industry in the Northeast and the strength of the locavore movement, craft breweries and distilleries have expressed an interest in sourcing local barley for malting. Malting barley must meet specific quality characteristics such as low protein content and high germination. Depending on the variety, barley can be planted in either the spring or fall, and both two- and six-row barley can be used for malting. In 2017, UVM Extension in collaboration with the Eastern Spring Malting Barley Nursery (ESBN) testing network conducted a spring malting barley trial to evaluate yield and quality of …

Barley Weed Control Trial, Heather Darby, Hillary Emick, Erica Cummings, Abha Gupta, Lindsey Ruhl, Sara Ziegler

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

Demand for local, organic grains has been increasing in recent years as businesses such as flour mills, malt houses, and bakeries have grown and developed business models to include a higher proportion of local ingredients in their products. The organic grains industry requires the use of innovative strategies to control weeds and address disease issues to grow grains in the most efficient manner. In 2017, the University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops and Soils Program conducted the second year of a trial to evaluate the impact of row spacing and cultivation on weed pressure and barley yield and quality.

Organic Heirloom Spring Wheat Variety Trial, Heather Darby, Hillary Emick, Erica Cummings, Abha Gupta, Lindsey Ruhl, Sara Ziegler

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

University of Vermont Extension began its heirloom spring wheat trials in 2007 to determine whether heirloom varieties developed before 1950 could thrive in Vermont’s current climate. 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. Production of heirloom wheat may also provide a farmer with a value added market with increased returns. This variety trial was established to determine heirloom spring wheat varieties that are suitable for production in Vermont’s …

Organic Winter Wheat Variety Trial, Heather Darby, Hillary Emick, Erica Cummings, Abha Gupta, Lindsey Ruhl, Sara Ziegler

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

In 2017, the University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops and Soils Program evaluated 21 winter wheat varieties to determine those that perform best in organic production systems in northern Vermont. The trial was established at the Borderview Research Farm in Alburgh, Vermont.

Small Grain Disease And Insect Pest Scouting Report, Heather Darby, Ann Hazelrigg, Gabriella Maia, Erica Cummings

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

A survey of small grain diseases and insect pests were conducted in Vermont, New York and Massachusetts during the 2017 growing season. Pests were scouted on seven Vermont farm locations in the towns of Alburgh, Berlin, Bridport, North Ferrisburgh, North Troy, Shelburne, and Shoreham, as well as in Essex, New York and Northfield, Massachusetts. Winter and spring wheat (heirloom and commercially available), as well as spring barley and spelt, were scouted between spike emergence and flowering, and again at the soft dough growth stage. Disease and insect samples were taken and identified with assistance from the University of Vermont (UVM) …

The Efficacy Of Spraying Fungicides To Control Fusarium Head Blight Infection In Spring Malting Barley, Heather Darby, Erica Cummings

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

Public interest in sourcing local foods has extended into beverages, and the current demand for local brewing and distilling ingredients is quickly increasing. One new market that has generated interest of both farmers and end-users is malted barley. This only stands to reason since the Northeast alone is home to over 180 microbreweries and 37 craft distillers. Until recently, local malt was not readily available to brewers or distillers. However, a rapid expansion of the fledgling malting industry will hopefully give farmers new markets and end-users hope of readily available malt. To date, the operating maltsters struggle to source enough …

New York And Vermont Corn Silage Hybrid Trials, Heather Darby, Joseph Lawrence, Allison Kerwin, Thomas Overton, Margaret Smith, Michael Van Amburgh, Michael Dineen, Sherrie Norman, Keith Payne, Dan Fisher

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

The New York corn silage hybrid trials expanded in 2017 with a total of 72 hybrids tested and the addition of three locations. Twenty-three hybrids were entered into the 80-95 day relative maturity group (Early-Mid) and were tested at two locations in NY (Hu-Lane Farm in Albion and the Willsboro Research Farm in Willsboro) and one location in VT (Borderview Farm in Alburgh). Forty-nine hybrids were entered into the 96-100 day relative maturity group (Mid-Late) and were tested at two locations in NY (Greenwood Farms in Madrid and the Musgrave Research Farm in Aurora) and one location in VT (Borderview …

The Efficacy Of Spraying Organic Fungicides To Control Fusarium Head Blight Infection In Spring Wheat, Heather Darby, Erica Cummings

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

There is a high demand for locally grown wheat for baking purposes throughout the Northeast. One major obstacle for growers is Fusarium head blight (FHB) infection of grain. This disease is currently the most important disease facing organic and conventional grain growers in the Northeast, resulting in loss of yield, shriveled grain, and most importantly, mycotoxin contamination. A vomitoxin called deoxynivalenol (DON) is considered the primary mycotoxin associated with FHB. Eating contaminated grain with DON concentrations greater than 1ppm poses a health risk to both humans and livestock. The FHB spores are usually transported by air currents and can infect …

Beneficial Exclusion Experiment, Heather Darby, John Bruce, Abha Gupta, Freddy Morin, Scott Lewins

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

There are over 400 acres of hops currently in production within the Northeast with many new growers coming onto the scene. While hop production in the Northeast continues to rebound, many farmers are looking for additional information and clarity on how pests can impact their crop production. Compared to the Pacific Northwest and other hop growing regions around the world, we do not currently have a clear understanding of the role and impact that beneficial insects have within our hop yards. It is particularly important to quantify the benefit that natural enemies provide in order to help determine economic and …

Hop Crowning Trial Final Report, Heather Darby, John Bruce, Abha Gupta, Freddy Morin, Scott Lewins Lewins

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

Downy mildew has been identified as the primary pathogen plaguing our northeastern hop yards. This disease causes reduced yield, poor hop quality, and can cause the plant to die in severe cases. Control measures that reduce disease infection and spread while minimizing the impact on the environment, are desperately needed for the region. Mechanical control is one means to reduce downy mildew pressure in hop yards. Scratching, pruning, or crowning is a practice initiated in the early spring either before or at the time that new growth has just emerged from the soil.

Hop Germplasm Study, Heather Darby, John Bruce, Abha Gupta, Scott Lewins, Freddy Morin

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. Vermont production peaked in 1860 when the state produced 289,690 kg of dried hops (Kennedy 1860). 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 19th 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 …

Hop Harvest Timing, Heather Darby, John Bruce, Scott Lewins

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

In the Northeast, hop harvest generally begins in mid-August and continues through mid-September. Harvest date is primarily dependent on the hop variety but weather can delay or hasten maturation and impact when harvest will occur. In addition to weather, various pests, such as spider mites and downy mildew, can similarly impact harvest timing. The time at which you harvest hops can affect the various qualities of your finished product. Alpha and beta acid content peaks before many essential oils have fully developed. Delaying harvest can provide time for these oils to develop but increases the amount of time the hops …

Industrial Grain Hemp Variety Trial, Heather Darby, Abha Gupta, Erica Cummings, Lindsey Ruhl, 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 cloth, …

Industrial Cannabidiol Hemp Report, Heather Darby, Abha Gupta, Erica Cummings, Lindsey Ruhl, 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). Hemp varieties intended to produce a health supplement contain relatively high concentrations of a compound called cannabidiol (CBD), potentially 8-10%. CBD has purported benefits such as relief from inflammation, pain, anxiety, seizures, spasms, and other conditions. The …

Industrial Grain Hemp Planting Date Trial, Heather Darby, Abha Gupta, Erica Cummings, Lindsey Ruhl, 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 cloth, …

Conventional Soybean Performance Trials Summary, Heather Darby

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

Conventional short maturity (000 – 2.0) soybean varieties in Alburgh, VT

Planting Date: 6/1/2017

Harvest Date: 10/20/2017

Industrial Hemp Fiber Variety Trial, Heather Darby, Abha Gupta, Erica Cummings, Lindsey Ruhl, 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 fiber has high tensile strength and can be used to create a variety of goods. Hemp fiber consists of two types: bast and hurd. The bast fiber are the long fibers found in the bark of hemp stalks and are best suited for plastic bio-composites for vehicles, textiles, rope, insulation, and paper. The hurd fiber are …

Soybean Planting Date X Variety Trial, Heather Darby, Sara Ziegler, Erica Cummings, Abha Gupta, Lindsey Ruhl

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

In 2017, the University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops and Soils Team investigated the impact of planting date and variety on soybean yield and quality at Borderview Research Farm in Alburgh, VT. Due to the short growing season in Vermont, little research has been conducted on soybeans and the insects and diseases that can affect their harvest yield and quality. Soybeans are grown for human consumption, animal feed, and biodiesel. In an effort to support and expand the local soybean market throughout the northeast, the University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crop and Soils (NWCS) Program, as part of a grant …

Organic Soybean Performance Trials Summary, Heather Darby

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

Conventional short maturity (0.00 – 2.0) soybean varieties in Alburgh, VT

Planting Date: 5/31/2017

Harvest Date: 10/28/2017

Winter Canola Variety Trial, Heather Darby, Sara Ziegler, Hillary Emick, Amanda Gervais, Abha Gupta

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

Winter canola is a relatively new crop to the Northeast. 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, …