Life Sciences Commons^™

The Effects Of Seed Steam Treatment On Dry Bean Yield And Quality, Heather Darby, Erica Cummings

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

Dry beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), a high-protein pulse crop, have been grown in the Northeast since the 1800’s. As the local food movement expands, consumers have requested stores stock more and more locally produced foods, and heirloom dry beans are no exception. Currently, the demand for heirloom dry beans has exceeded the supply. Farmers are interested in starting or scaling up dry bean production but require assistance in overcoming production barriers. Local farmers have struggled to obtain consistent high yields and quality. Growers’ lack of success with dry beans can be attributed to limitations in acquiring quality seed, poor stand establishment, …

Organic Spring Wheat Variety Trial, Heather Darby, Haley Jean, Erica Cummings, Hillary Emick

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

In 2017, the University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops and Soils Program evaluated twenty-two hard red spring wheat varieties to determine which would thrive in organic production systems in the Northeast. The trial was stablished at the Borderview Research Farm in Alburgh, Vermont. Varieties that did not perform well in previous years were eliminated from the 2017 trial and new varieties were added.

Winter Barley Seeding Rate, Cover Crop And Variety Trial, Heather Darby, Hillary Emick, Erica Cummings, Abha Gupta, Lindsey Ruhl, Sara Ziegler

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 sourcing 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 concentrated, high-energy feed source for livestock. 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 and livestock feed. Winter barley has not been traditionally grown in the Northeast …

Soybean Cover Crop 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 Program investigated the impact of various cover crop mixtures 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 understanding …

Sunflower Planting Date X Variety Trial Dr. Heather, Heather Darby, Sara Ziegler, Nate Brigham, Abha Gupta, Lindsey Ruhl

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

Sunflowers are being grown in the Northeast for their potential to add value to a diversified operation as fuel, feed, fertilizer, and an important rotational crop. However, pest pressures from seed-boring insects, disease, and birds can limit yield and quality, making the crop less viable for existing and potential growers. Addressing some of these pest pressures with agronomic management strategies may help mitigate yield losses. One pest control strategy that has been shown to avoid pests is through manipulation of planting date. To evaluate the impacts of altered planting dates on sunflower pests and yields across varieties, an on-farm trial …

Industrial Hemp Fiber Planting Date Trial, Heather Darby, Abha Gupta, Lindsey Ruhl, Erica Cummings, 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 consists of two types of fiber: 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 …

Heirloom Dry Bean Variety Trial, Heather Darby, Erica Cummings

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

Dry beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), a high-protein pulse crop, have been grown in the Northeast since the 1800’s. As the local food movement continues to diversify and expand, consumers are asking stores to carry more and more locally-produced foods, and dry beans are no exception. Currently, the demand for heirloom dry beans has far exceeded the supply. In an effort to support and expend the local bean market throughout the northeast, the University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops and Soils Program, established a third year of trials in 2017 to evaluate heirloom dry bean varieties to see which ones thrive in …

Organic Winter Malting Barley Variety Trial, Heather Darby, Erica Cummings, Hillary Emick

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

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 the fall 2016, UVM Extension, in collaboration with the Winter Malting Barley Trial (WMBT) testing network, conducted a winter malting barley trial to evaluate yield and quality of …

Non-Gmo Corn Silage 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 Program evaluated yield and quality of 11 non-GMO corn silage varieties in Franklin, VT. An emerging non-GMO milk market has prompted some dairy farmers to start growing non-GMO corn. To successfully convert to growing non- GMO corn, farmers are looking for more information on non-GMO varieties that are available and perform well in our region. While the information presented can begin to describe the yield and quality performance of these non-GMO corn silage varieties in this region, it is important to note that the data represent results from only …

Organic Soybean Variety Trial, Heather Darby, Sara Ziegler, Erica Cummings, Amanda Gervais, Abha Gupta, Lindsey Ruhl

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

In 2017, the University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops and Soils Team evaluated yield and quality of short season soybean varieties 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 from the Eastern Soybean …

Non-Gmo Corn Silage Performance Trial Summary, Heather Darby

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

Conducted by Dr. Heather Darby and the University of Vermont Northwest Crops and Soils Program

Silage corn at Bridgeman View Farm, Franklin, Vermont

Planting Date: 5/24/2017

Harvest Date: 10/18/2017

Short Season Corn Silage Performance Trial Summary, Heather Darby

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

Conducted by Dr. Heather Darby and the University of Vermont Northwest Crops and Soils Program

Short season corn (80-97 day relative maturity) silage hybrids in Alburgh, VT

Planting Date: 5/18/2017

Harvest Date: 9/20/2017

Long Season Corn Silage Performance Trial Summary, Heather Darby

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

Conducted by Dr. Heather Darby and the University of Vermont Northwest Crops and Soils Program

Long season corn (96-110 day relative maturity) silage hybrids in Alburgh, VT

Planting Date: 5/17/2017

Harvest Date: 9/26/2017

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 …