Life Sciences Commons^™

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 …

The New England Food System In 2060: Envisioning Tomorrow's Policy Through Today's Assessments, Margaret Sova Mccabe, Joanne Burke

Law Faculty Scholarship

This Essay analyzes how the New England states' planning processes are envisioning revitalized local, state, and regional food systems. This Essay has five parts. First, it begins with examining compelling reasons for promoting more sustainable food systems based on national and global trends, and identifies strategies for promoting regional food systems approaches with a brief introduction to the major influences on the national and New England food system. Second, it describes the states' planning efforts and their enabling legislation or source of authority.

The Essay then introduces the New England Food Vision 2060 (the Vision) an emerging discussion of food …

Spring Wheat Planting Date Report, Heather Darby, Rosalie Madden, Erica Cummings, Hannah Harwood, Amanda Gervais

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

The localvore movement has revived otherwise historical crops in Vermont, including small-scale grain production. As the demand for local organic wheat has risen over the last few years, University of Vermont Extension has developing best agronomic practices for wheat production in a Northeastern climate. In an organic system, weed management can be one of the biggest challenges. One strategy to manage weeds is to modify planting dates. Early planting dates can establish a crop prior to weed flushes while a late planted crop can help avoid some weed species. Planting date can also have an overall impact on both grain …

Cover Crop Planting Date Trial, Heather Darby, Chantel Cline, Erica Cummings, Rosalie Madden, Hannah Harwood

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

When corn silage is harvested, the entire plant is removed, leaving the soil exposed throughout the winter. Many farmers have started planting cover crops following corn harvest because of increased soil health and fertility. The cover crop protects the soil from erosion and adds organic matter, it also scavenges excess soil nitrogen (N), releasing it again after being terminated in the spring. This keeps the nitrogen from potentially being lost through leaching and brings farmers financial benefits as less nitrogen loss means less fertilizer is needed in the spring. Farmers have asked about best methods for growing cover crops to …

Sunflower Seeding Rate X Nitrogen Rate Trial, Heather Darby, Hannah Harwood, Erica Cummings, Rosalie Madden, Susan Monahan, Amanda Gervais

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

Because the majority of sunflowers in the United States are grown in the Great Plains, recommendations for plant populations and fertilization rates are limited to this specific region and climate. Due to the temperate climate of the northeast, it is likely that optimal seeding rates and nitrogen (N) rates for sunflower production will differ from the Great Plains. A crop’s N requirements are often linked to population; this study attempts to evaluate the impact of both seeding rates and N rates on sunflower yield and quality.

Forage Brassica Trial, Heather Darby, Hannah Harwood, Rosalie Madden, Erica Cummings, Susan Monahan, Amanda Gervais

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

Forage brassicas are a cool season crop and grow best during the late summer and fall months. This creates the opportunity to fill a gap in feed quality during months not optimal for perennial pasture production. Many producers are interested in extending the grazing season into late fall to improve farm viability. Brassica crops are known for their ability to provide a near-concentrate type diet late in the season, decreasing reliance on expensive imported grain for nutrient requirements. In 2011, the University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops and Soils Team conducted a forage brassica trial in Alburgh, VT. The objective …

Regional Food Systems Planning: A Case Study From Vermont’S Northeast Kingdom, Christopher Koliba, Erica Campbell, Heather Davis

Opportunities for Agriculture Working Paper Series

The number of food systems plans being developed across the United States and Canada are growing. These plans have been undertaken by states, regions, counties and municipalities and share a common focus on advancing the capacity of the food system. This paper provides an overview of how one rural, three-county region, the Northeast Kingdom (NEK) of Vermont, has undertaken a regional food system planning and assessment process. The project is led by a regional planning commission and economic development corporation, Northeastern Vermont Development Association (NVDA). Working with the region’s leading local food hub organization, the Center for an Agricultural Economy …

Working Towards The Common Table: How Vermont Addresses Social Justice And Food Access With Local Food And Why It Matters, Linda Berlin, Jean Hamilton, Rachel Schattman

Opportunities for Agriculture Working Paper Series

Hunger and food insecurity are growing concerns in the United States and around the world. Consequently, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) designated Global Food Security as one of the five focal areas for the National Institute for Food and Agriculture. Recently, the USDA released a report indicating that 13.6% of Vermonters are food insecure (up from 9.6% in 2004-2006) and 6.2% are hungry (“very low food security”) compared to the national averages of 13.5% food insecure and 5.2% hungry (Nord, Coleman-Jensen, Andrews, & Carlson, 2010). At the same time, farmers in Vermont are struggling. The average net income …

Warm Season Annual Forage Performance Trials, Heather Darby, Rosalie Madden, Erica Cummings, Amanda Gervais, Philip Halteman

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

In 2010, the University of Vermont Extension continued their research to evaluate warm season annual forage systems. Warm season annual forages include grasses such as sorghum, sudangrass, sorghumsudangrass, Japanese millet, and pearl millet varieties. These grasses prefer the warmth of the summer months and generally thrive between June and August. Warm season annuals can be grazed or harvested for stored forage. Since warm season annuals thrive in hot weather they could supplement pasture during the summer slump. The summer slump is a period during the summer that cool season perennial grasses slow in growth and quality. The goal of this …

Oat Variety Trial Report, Heather Darby, Susan Monahan, Erica Cummings, Rosalie Madden, Amanda Gervais, Philip Halteman

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

Oats (Avena sativa L.) have a long history of being grown in the Northeast. Although most of the oats are planted for a cover crop or hay, growing oats for grain is another 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/acre. Unless, a hulless variety is grown, oats need to be hulled before being used for human consumption, and further processing is required to make oatmeal, steel cut oats or oat flour. The goal of this project was …

Sunflower Seeding Rate X Nitrogen Rate Trial Report, Heather Darby, Philip Halteman, Erica Cummings, Amanda Gervais, Rosalie Madden

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

The 2010 growing season was warmer and slightly wetter than normal through the majority of the spring. The month of May was considerably drier than normal, though June’s rainfall exceeded 30-year averages. No effect was apparent on germination rates. Accumulated growing degree days (GDDs) for the sunflower season totaled 3,120 from the beginning of June through the middle of October, when the sunflowers were harvested, which was 264 higher than the 30 year averages (table 1). These data were recorded at weather stations in close proximity to the research site.

Vermont Organic Corn Silage Performance Trial Results, Heather Darby, Amanda Gervais, Erica Cummings, Rosalie Madden, Philip Halteman

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

In 2010, the University of Vermont Extension conducted short and long season organic corn silage variety evaluations in cooperation with Vermont Technical College (VTC) and Organic Valley Farmers Advocating for Organics Program (FAFO). The purpose of the program was to provide unbiased performance comparisons of commercially available organic corn varieties. It is important to remember, however, that the data presented are from replicated research trials from only 3 locations in Vermont. Crop performance data from additional tests in different locations and often over several years should be compared before you make conclusions.

Heirloom Wheat Variety Trial, Heather Darby, Erica Cummings, Rosalie Madden, Amanda Gervais, Philip Halteman, Susan Monahan

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

The heirloom wheat project began in 2007; its primary purpose is to evaluate 15 heirloom wheat varieties to determine if they will thrive in Vermont’s climate. Heirloom wheat can bring a premium because of its superior taste. Many farmers are interested in determining what heirlooms are viable for Vermont growing conditions. Through this project three Vermont heirloom varieties are being reintroduced into the state. Defiance, Champlain, and Surprise were developed by Vermont plant breeder Cyrus Pringle at the turn of the twentieth century. In addition to the heirloom varieties, AC Barrie and Scarlet, modern spring wheat varieties commonly grown in …

Vermont Relative Maturity Corn Silage Trial, Heather Darby, Rosalie Madden, Amanda Gervais, Erica Cummings, Philip Halteman

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

In 2010, the University of Vermont Extension conducted an experiment to evaluate yield and quality of corn hybrids with a range of relative maturities. The goal is to document the best range of corn silage maturities to grow in this area to maximize corn yield and quality. It is important to remember that the data presented are from a single test at only one location. Hybrid-performance data from additional tests in different locations and often over several years should be compared before conclusions are drawn.

Sunflower Variety Trial Report, Heather Darby, Philip Halteman, Erica Cummings, Amanda Gervais, Rosalie Madden

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

Variety selection is one of the most important agronomic decisions that sunflower growers make about their crop each season, especially in Vermont where the relatively short growing season limits available choices. Sticking with a tried and true variety is often difficult because new varieties are released every year while familiar ones are discontinued, and seed companies release new traits that may or may not influence yield. To help area farmers make the best decisions, UVM Extension conducted replicated variety trials at Borderview Reseach Farm in Alburgh, VT during the 2010-growing season. The trial evaluated fourteen varieties with varying maturity dates, …

Winter Wheat Variety Trial, Heather Darby, Erica Cummings, Rosalie Madden, Amanda Gervais, Phillip Halteman, Susan Monahan

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

In 2010, the University of Vermont Extension in collaboration with the University of Maine began an extensive organic variety trial of 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. This trial is one of several in a USDA OREI grant focused on the production of high

Barley Variety Trial Report, Heather Darby, Susan Monahan, Erica Cummings, Rosalie Madden, Amanda Gervais, Philip Halteman

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

There has been increasing interest in growing barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) for malting in Vermont and throughout New England to provide local grains for craft breweries and distilleries. Malting barley must meet specific quality characteristics such as high germination and low protein content. Both two-row and six-row barley can be used for malting, depending on the brewer’s preferences. The goal of this project was to evaluate yield and quality of publicly available malting barley varieties.

Spring Cereal Grain Forage Trials, Heather Darby, Rosalie Madden, Erica Cummings, Amanda Gervais, Philip Halteman

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

In 2010, the University of Vermont Extension continued their research evaluating several organic annual forage models. Spring cereal grains such as oats, barley, triticale, wheat, and spelt could have the potential to provide high yield and quality feed for livestock. Spring grains are planted in mid to late April and can be harvested at various stages of development. The objective of this project was to evaluate yield and quality of spring grains harvested in the boot, milk, or soft dough stage. The overall goal of this project is to help organic dairy producers reduce their reliance on expensive concentrates through …

Forage Brassica Performance Trials, Heather Darby, Rosalie Madden, Erica Cummings, Amanda Gervais, Philip Halteman

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

In 2010, the University of Vermont Extension continued their research evaluating annual forage models that would best compliment cool season grass pasture. The overall goal of this project is to help organic dairy producers reduce their reliance on expensive concentrates through the production of a variety of high quality annul forages. Brassicas, such as forage turnips and rape, are a cool season crop. Hence these crops can thrive in the late fall months and potentially provide late season grazing. Brassica crops are known for their ability to provide a near concentrate type diet late in the season. UVM Extension conducted …

Bmr Corn Report, Heather Darby, Rosalie Madden, Erica Cummings, Amanda Gervais, Philip Halteman

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

In 2010, the University of Vermont Extension Crops and Soils Team conducted an experiment to evaluate yield and quality of Brown Mid-Rib (BMR) corn varieties at Borderview Farm in Alburgh, VT. Two seed companies submitted varieties for evaluation.