Agriculture Commons^™

2013 Maple Business Benchmark, Mark Cannella, Mark Cannella, Chris Lindgren, Betsy Miller

UVM Extension Faculty Publications

Strong market prices, technology improvements and increasing sugar bush sizes are key features of the Vermont maple industry. The continued growth of maple production and maple investments elevate the interest in the financial performance of harvesting maple sap and processing maple syrup. The 2013 Maple Business Benchmark is the result of the first year of focused collection of financial information for the sector. University of Vermont Extension worked with 10 maple producers to complete financial analysis of their maple enterprise. Participants each received a detailed financial summary of their business that included information on sales, expenses, investments and profitability. That …

Climate-Smart Agriculture Global Research Agenda: Scientific Basis For Action, Kerri L. Steenwerth, Amanda K. Hodson, Arnold J. Bloom, Michael R. Carter, Andrea Cattaneo, Colin J. Chartres, Jerry L. Hatfield, Kevin Henry, Jan W. Hopmans, William R. Horwath, Bryan M. Jenkins, Ermias Kebreab, Rik Leemans, Leslie Lipper, Mark N. Lubell, Siwa Msangi, Ravi Prabhu, Matthew P. Reynolds, Samuel Sandoval Solis, William M. Sischo, Michael Springborn, Pablo Tittonell, Stephen M. Wheeler, Sonja J. Vermeulen, Eva K. Wollenberg, Lovell S. Jarvis, Louise E. Jackson

Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources Faculty Publications

Background: Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) addresses the challenge of meeting the growing demand for food, fibre and fuel, despite the changing climate and fewer opportunities for agricultural expansion on additional lands. CSA focuses on contributing to economic development, poverty reduction and food security; maintaining and enhancing the productivity and resilience of natural and agricultural ecosystem functions, thus building natural capital; and reducing trade-offs involved in meeting these goals. Current gaps in knowledge, work within CSA, and agendas for interdisciplinary research and science-based actions identified at the 2013 Global Science Conference on Climate-Smart Agriculture (Davis, CA, USA) are described here within three …

Exploring Germplasm Diversity To Understand The Domestication Process In Cicer Spp. Using Snp And Dart Markers, Manish Roorkiwal, Eric J. Von Wettberg, Hari D. Upadhyaya, Emily Warschefsky, Abhishek Rathore, Rajeev K. Varshney

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Faculty Publications

To estimate genetic diversity within and between 10 interfertile Cicer species (94 genotypes) from the primary, secondary and tertiary gene pool, we analysed 5,257 DArT markers and 651 KASPar SNP markers. Based on successful allele calling in the tertiary gene pool, 2,763 DArT and 624 SNP markers that are polymorphic between genotypes from the gene pools were analyzed further. STRUCTURE analyses were consistent with 3 cultivated populations, representing kabuli, desi and pea-shaped seed types, with substantial admixture among these groups, while two wild populations were observed using DArT markers. AMOVA was used to partition variance among hierarchical sets of landraces …

Resistance And Innovation In The Evolving Urban Food System Of Monterrey Mexico, Craig K. Harris

Food Systems Summit 2014

Monterrey is the capital city of the state of Nuevo Leon in Mexico. Historically it is the leading industrial city of Mexico, with a strong history of foreign direct investment. Located in the northeastern part of the country, its proximity to Texas has fostered its status as a modern cosmopolitan metropolis. The past couple decades have been characterized by a history of violence, but that is now diminishing as citizens' groups are "taking back our city". The hot and arid climate of the region meant that, as the metropolis developed, it had to rely on some importation of food from …

"La Misma Realidad De Cada Lugar Es Diferente" ("The Same Reality Of Each Place Is Different"): A Case Study Of An Organic Farmers Market In Lima, Peru, Kevin Cody

Food Systems Summit 2014

Alternative food movements in North America and Western Europe have proliferated in recent years as producers and consumers attempt to reform what is perceived as a fatally flawed industrial food system. Meanwhile, agricultural producers in the global South are increasingly dispossessed of land and livelihoods as agro-industrial processes take on increasingly global dimensions. Given that many of the challenges facing small-scale producers in the North and South stem from similar patterns of agro-industrialization, might they also share similar responses to these challenges?

In this article I make a case for broadening the geographic frame of reference for alternative food systems …

High Tunnels For Local Food Systems: Subsidies, Equity, And Profitability, Nathaniel Foust-Meyer, Megan E. O'Rourke

Food Systems Summit 2014

High tunnels (HTs) constitute a growing, local level response to the globalization of our food. As semi-permanent greenhouses, HTs bring practical on-farm solutions to biophysical growing constraints; they extend the growing season and buffer delicate crops from extreme weather events. In 2009, the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) began subsidizing the construction of HTs with the documented goals of increasing environmental stewardship and the added benefit of promoting local foods. However, many questions remain about the impacts of HT’s. Who is benefiting from the NRCS HT program? Will farmers continue to adopt HTs in the absence of government subsidies? What …

Saving Seeds: The Svalbard Global Seed Vault, Native American Seed Savers, And Problems Of Property, Sheryl D. Breen

Food Systems Summit 2014

To put it simply, seeds are the essence of life. Without their varied yields, the earth would have no agriculture, no livestock, no food systems, no ecological stability. In all shapes, sizes, and distributions, seeds are genetic powerhouses that store life's codes; they are as essential a resource as the water and soil at nourish them. Nonetheless, mounting evidence demonstrates steady erosion of the seed biodiversity necessary for viable food systems. Some seed varieties have been unable to adapt as habitats change or shrink, non- commercial seed-saving techniques have disappeared along with community elders, and a relatively small number of …

Extension 3.0: Managing Agricultural Knowledge Systems In The Network Age, Mark Lubell, Meredith T. Niles, Matthew Hoffman

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Faculty Publications

This paper develops the idea of “Extension 3.0” as an approach to agricultural extension that capitalizes on the network structure of local agricultural knowledge systems. Over the last century, agricultural knowledge systems have evolved into networks of widely distributed actors with a diversity of specializations and expertise. Agricultural extension programs need to manage these networks in ways that maximize the synergy between experiential, technical, and social learning. Using empirical research from California farmers, we highlight the structure of these networks within and across contexts, and the importance of boundary-spanning relationships. We provide some initial recommendations about actions needed to realize …

Winter Canola Planting Date X Seeding Rate Trial, Heather Darby, Sara Ziegler, Erica Cummings, Susan Monahan, Julian Post

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. In addition, the impact of seeding rate on winter survival remains unclear for our region. Therefore, the goal of this project was to determine the impact of planting date and seeding rate on winter canola survival, plant characteristics, and seed and oil yields. Winter canola is planted in late summer and harvested the following summer. Getting canola planted as early as possible is often recommended for Midwest producers, but growers in the Northeast …

Spring Wheat Crosses Trial, Heather Darby, Katie Blair, Erica Cummings, Susan Monahan, Julian Post, Sara Ziegler

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

On-farm wheat breeding began in Vermont, in cooperation with UVM Extension, in 2007 with a USDA SARE grant to build farmer knowledge in plant breeding. The goal of this on-farm breeding trial is to develop spring wheat varieties that are suited for organic management in Vermont soils and climatic conditions. Most commercially available varieties are developed in regions with climates, soils and management techniques that are very different from our own. In addition, those varieties are genetically homogenous and inbred for uniformity. This has often led to rapid breakdown of genetic resistance to local diseases. To address this situation, farmers …

Hops Weed Management Trial, Heather Darby, Julian Post, Lily Calderwood, Erica Cummings, Scott Lewins, Susan Monahan, Sara Ziegler

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

As the acreage of hops continues to grow in the northeast, there is increasing need for regionally specific agronomic information. The majority of hop production and research is conducted in the Pacific Northwest, a region that has a much drier climate than our own. The University of Vermont (UVM) Extension has carried out a number of trials to build relevant experience on small scale hop production in our wet and cool climate.

Cereal Rye Variety Trial, Heather Darby, Julian Post, Erica Cummings, Susan Monahan, Sara Ziegler

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

In 2014, University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops and Soils Program conducted a variety trial of three varieties of winter rye. The varieties were Huron, Spooner, and one variety that was not specified (VNS). Recently, there has been increased interest in cereal rye as a culinary grain. The purpose was to determine which variety performs best in Vermont when grown for grain.

Minimum Tillage Corn Trial, Heather Darby, Jeff Sanders, Erica Cummings, Susan Monahan, Julian Post, Sara Ziegler

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

Minimum tillage practices have significant potential to reduce expenses and the potential negative environmental effects caused by intensive tillage operations. Conventional tillage practices require heavy machinery to work and groom the soil surface in preparation for the planter. The immediate advantage of reduced tillage for the farm operator is less fuel expense, equipment, time, and labor required. It’s also clear that intensive tillage potentially increases nutrient and soil losses to our surface waterways. By turning the soil and burying surface residue, more soil particles are likely to detach from the soil surface and increase the potential for run off from …

Sunflower Planting Date Trial, Heather Darby, Sara Ziegler, Erica Cummings, Susan Monahan, Julian Post

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 cultural pest control strategy is manipulation of planting date. To evaluate the impacts of altered planting dates on sunflower pests, an on-farm trial was designed and implemented by the University of Vermont Extension’s Northwest …

Diversification Activities Of Vermont Dairy Farmers: A Study Of Raw Milk And Local Beef Processing In The State., Ryan Leamy

Graduate College Dissertations and Theses

The vast majority of earned agricultural dollars in Vermont come from the dairy industry, but with volatility in the market in recent years, including rising costs of feed and the fluctuating price of milk, state officials have begun to recommend diversification of farm activities to instill resiliency into the system. The research presented in this thesis explores two avenues for diversification, farm-to-consumer sales of raw milk and local beef production.

The second chapter utilizes diffusion theory to understand the prevalence of raw milk consumption in Vermont, develop a profile of the raw milk consumer, document the motivations of raw milk …

Flax Weed Control Trial, Heather Darby, Susan Monahan, Erica Cummings, Julian Post, Sara Ziegler

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) is a multi-purpose crop grown for its fiber, oil (linseed oil), and meal. The majority of production occurs in the Dakotas, Minnesota, and Montana. Recently there has been interest in growing flax in the northeast, both for human consumption and for animal feed, for its high levels of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Flax is a spring annual that is usually planted as early as the ground can be worked. However, one of the main challenges to successfully growing flax is weed control. Flax plants compete poorly with fast growing weeds due to its relatively short height …

Preliminary Effects Of Fertilization On Ecochemical Soil Condition In Mature Spruce Stands Experiencing Dieback In The Beskid Śla̧Ski And Żywiecki Mountains, Poland, Stanisław Małek, Kazimierz Januszek, William S. Keeton, Józef Barszcz, Marek Kroczek, Ewa Błońska, Tomasz Wanic

Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources Faculty Publications

In recent years, there has been the phenomena of spruce dieback in Europe. Significant areas of spruce low mortality now cover both sides of the Polish southern border. We evaluated ecochemical parameters influencing the heavy dieback occurring in mature spruce stands in the Polish Carpathian Mountains. Dolomite, magnesite and serpentinite fertilizers were applied to experimental plots located in 100-year-old stands in the autumn of 2008. The experimental plots were located in the mid-elevational forest zone (900-950 m) on two nappes of the flysch Carpathians: Magura (Ujsoły Forest District) and Silesian (Wisła Forest District). The saturation of the studied soils demonstrates …

Shade Coffee: Update On A Disappearing Refuge For Biodiversity, Shalene Jha, Christopher M. Bacon, Stacy M. Philpott, V. Ernesto Méndez, Peter Läderach, Robert A. Rice

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Faculty Publications

In the past three decades, coffee cultivation has gained widespread attention for its crucial role in supporting local and global biodiversity. In this synthetic Overview, we present newly gathered data that summarize how global patterns in coffee distribution and shade vegetation have changed and discuss implications for biodiversity, ecosystem services, and livelihoods. Although overall cultivated coffee area has decreased by 8% since 1990, coffee production and agricultural intensification have increased in many places and shifted globally, with production expanding in Asia while contracting in Africa. Ecosystem services such as pollination, pest control, climate regulation, and nutrient sequestration are generally greater …

Oilseed Meal As A Fertility Amendment In Sweet Corn, Heather Darby, Abha Gupta, Erica Cummings, Susan Monahan, Julian Post, Sara Ziegler

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

Many Northeast growers are integrating oilseed crops such as canola, soybeans, and sunflower into their operation, in hopes of on-farm fuel production, value-added products, and/or livestock feed. Many producers are using small-scale presses to mechanically separate oil from the seed. Oilseed meal, the high-protein byproduct left after the extrusion of oil, can be milled and used as a soil amendment to increase fertility and organic matter. This material has the potential to replace high-cost imported fertilizers, especially for organic growers.

Short Season Corn Silage Variety Trial, Heather Darby, Sara Ziegler, Erica Cummings, Susan Monahan, Julian Post

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

In 2014, the University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops and Soils Team evaluated yield and quality of short season corn silage varieties at Borderview Research Farm in Alburgh, VT. While short season corn is an obvious choice in areas that accumulate fewer Growing Degree Days (GDDs), it also has a place in longer season areas. Growing a shorter season variety can allow for more time in the fall to adequately prepare the soil for winter by applying manure and planting cover crops, thereby minimizing nutrient and soil losses. In addition to these benefits, past UVM Extension variety trials have shown …

Organic Hop Variety Trial: Results From Year Three, Heather Darby, Conner Burke, Lily Calderwood, Erica Cummings, Hannah Harwood, Susan Monahan

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

Great interest has been kindled in producing hops in the Northeast. While hops were historically grown in the Northeast, they have not been commercially produced in this region for over a hundred years. With this loss of regional production knowledge, and the advancements of cropping science and the development of new varieties over the last few decades, a great need has been identified for regionspecific science-based research on this reemerging crop. Additionally, the vast majority of hops production in the United States occurs in the arid Pacific Northwest on a very large scale, which is very different from hops production …

Hop Variety Trial: Results From Year Four, Heather Darby, Julian Post, Lily Calderwood, Erica Cummings, Scott Lewins, Susan Monahan, Sara Ziegler

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

Great interest has been kindled in producing hops in the Northeast. While hops were historically grown in the Northeast, they have not been commercially produced in this region for over a hundred years. With this loss of regional production knowledge, the advancements of cropping science, and the development of new varieties over the last few decades, a great need has been identified for region-specific, science-based research on this reemerging crop. The vast majority of hops production in the United States occurs in the arid Pacific Northwest on a very large scale in a dry climate. In the Northeast, the average …

Brown Mid-Rib Corn Variety Trial, Heather Darby, Julian Post, Erica Cummings, Susan Monahan, Sara Ziegler

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

Brown mid-rib (BMR) corn has a lower lignin content than other silage corn varieties, which makes it more digestible to dairy cows, potentially increasing milk production. Growers interested in BMR corn look for high-yielding varieties with favorable quality. Since 2010, the University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops & Soils program has conducted research trials to evaluate BMR corn silage varieties. In 2014, the trial included 10 varieties from three different seed companies. While the information presented can begin to describe the yield and quality performance of these BMR corn varieties in this region, it is important to note that the …

Brown Mid-Rib Corn Population Trial, Heather Darby, Susan Monahan, Erica Cummings, Julian Post, Sara Ziegler

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

Brown mid-rib (BMR) corn hybrids are of interest to many growers in the Northeast who would like to maximize milk production on homegrown forage. BMR corn has a naturally-occurring genetic mutation that leads to less lignin in the stalk and makes corn silage more digestible. Corn yields can be highly dependent on population, and it is generally recommended to plant BMR corn at lower populations than conventional silage corn. BMR corn has always been considered to be more prone to lodging due to its lower lignin content, and lower populations allow for less stress on each individual plant. However, optimal …

Vermont Organic Silage Corn Performance Trial, Heather Darby, Susan Monahan, Erica Cummings, Julian Post, Sara Ziegler

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

The University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops and Soils Program conducted an organic silage corn variety trial in 2014 to provide unbiased performance comparisons of commercially available organic silage corn 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 data from additional tests in different locations and over several years should be compared before making varietal selections.

Long Season Corn Silage Variety Trial, Heather Darby, Erica Cummings, Susan Monahan, Julian Post, Sara Zeigler

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

In 2014, the University of Vermont Northwest Extension Crops and Soils Team evaluated yield and quality of long season corn silage varieties at Borderview Research Farm in Alburgh, VT. Long season corn can be difficult to grow in Vermont, due to the climate’s restricted Growing Degree Days (GDDs). In addition, wet springs are becoming more common, delaying corn planting later into the season. However, on many farms, long season corn can produce higher yields and quality than many short season varieties. The test site was at Borderview Research Farm in Alburgh, VT, which has what is considered one of the …

Corn Cropping Systems To Improve Economic And Environmental Health, Heather Darby, Lindsey Ruhl, Erica Cummings, Susan Monahan, Julian Post, Sara Zeigler

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

In 2014, UVM Extension’s Northwest Crops & Soils Program initiated a 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 rotations: …

The Efficacy Of Spraying Fungicides To Control Fusarium Head Blight Infection In Spring Malting Barley, Heather Darby, Erica Cummings, Susan Monahan, Julian Post, Sara Ziegler

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 175 microbreweries and 35 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 …

Flax Variety Trial, Heather Darby, Susan Monahan, Conner Burke, Erica Cummings, Hannah Harwood

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) is a multi-purpose crop grown for its fiber, oil (linseed oil), and meal. The importance of flax as a major crop in the United States dropped drastically in the 1980’s when latex paints replaced linseed oil based paint. Recently there has been renewed interest in flax, both for human consumption and for animal feed, for its high levels of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. This variety trial was established to determine what flax varieties can grow and thrive in Vermont’s climatic conditions.

Heirloom Winter Wheat Variety Trial, Heather Darby, Katie Blair, Erica Cummings, Susan Monahan, Julian Post, Sara Ziegler

Northwest Crops & Soils Program

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 winter wheat varieties that are suitable for production in Vermont’s growing conditions. This was the third year that this trial was conducted in Vermont.