Life Sciences Commons^™

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 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, …

Milkweed Production Trials, Heather Darby, Sara Ziegler,, Amanda Gervais, Abha Gupta, 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 the Monarch butterfly larvae. Milkweed 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 unique opportunity to expand milkweed acreage …

High Glucosinolate Mustard As A Biofumigant Trial, Heather Darby, Abha Gupta, Erica Cummings, Lindsey Ruhl, Sara Ziegler

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

Brassicaceae plants (mustard family) contain chemicals called glucosinolates. These compounds are present in the leaves, stems, roots, and seeds of the plants. When the plant biomass is incorporated into the soil, these glucosinolates are broken down into a number of secondary compounds, including a compound called isothiocyanate. Isothiocyanate can be biocidal to seeds, insects, nematodes, and other microbes (fungi, bacteria, etc.). In recent years, plant breeders have worked to develop varieties of mustards with high glucosinolate content to be used as biofumigants in crop production. These high glucosinolate mustards (HGM) are being used as cover crops and the entire plant …

Pasture Productivity Trial, Heather Darby, Abha Gupta, Erica Cummings, Lindsey Ruhl, Sara Ziegler

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

Pasture is an essential component of the ration on organic dairy farms. Productivity of pastures is key to ensure the cattle have a plentiful source of high quality feed during the entire grazing season. Optimal management of pastures should include animal, plant, and soil factors. This project aims to identify weak links in the pasture system and evaluate the impact of adopting new strategies to overcome barriers to productivity. In this case, soil fertility was identified as the primary weak link to productivity.

Soybean 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 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 …