Winter Rye Variety Trial

The interest in growing cereal rye for grain to be sold as cover crop seed, or to other value-added markets (distillers and bakers), has increased considerably across the Northeast region in recent years. As a result, farmers and end-users are requesting yield and quality information on cereal rye varieties. In 2020, University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops and Soils (NWCS) Program conducted a variety trial to evaluate yield and quality of cereal rye. The varieties were Akusti, Aroostock, Bono, Brasetto, Danko, Dolero, Hazlet, ND Dylan, Progass, Rymin, Sangasti, Serafino, and Wheeler

Organic Spring Wheat Variety Trial

In 2020, the University of Vermont Extension’s Northwest Crops and Soils Program evaluated 34 spring wheat varieties to identify varieties that perform well in production systems in northern Vermont. The trial was established at the Borderview Research Farm in Alburgh, Vermont

Winter Rye Harvest Date

The interest in growing cereal rye for grain to be sold as cover crop seed, or to other value-added markets (distillers and bakers), has increased considerably across the Northeast region. As a result, farmers and end-users are requesting yield and quality information on cereal rye varieties. In 2020, University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops and Soils (NWCS) Program conducted a harvest date trial to evaluate the effects of harvest date on yield and quality of cereal rye. Wheat and barley require timely harvest to maintain quality, particularly falling number, for successful baking and brewing. It is unclear to what extent harvest timing impacts falling number in cereal rye. Subsequently, there is little knowledge if rye with high or low falling number is required for baking. The goal of this project was to evaluate the impact of harvest date on yields and quality parameters, specifically falling number, across two rye varieties

Winter Rye Nitrogen Fertility Trial

The interest in growing cereal rye for grain to be sold as cover crop seed, or to other value-added markets (distillers and bakers), has increased considerably across the Northeast region in recent years. This winter-hardy grain has the ability to survive cold winters and can be more tolerant of marginal land not suitable for other crops. As a result, farmers and end-users are requesting yield and quality information on cereal rye varieties. In 2019/2020, University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops and Soils (NWCS) Program conducted a nitrogen (N) fertility trial to evaluate yield and quality of cereal rye under variable nitrogen application scenarios

Relationship of demographic characteristics to teacher attitudes towards the oral english of Native Canadian and Aboriginal Australian children

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between selected demographic variables and the attitudes of teachers toward the oral English of their Indigenous students in Saskatchewan and Queensland.Data were collected by administration of the Indigenous Students Oral English Questionnaire to a total of 217 teachers from schools throughout northern and central Saskatchewan, Canada and Queensland, Australia. The independent variables in the study were: culture, language teaching experience, education, age and sex. The dependent variable was the attitudes of the teachers toward the validity and acceptability of the Indigenous students' oral English.Results of a factor analysis produced four attitudinal factors: Dialect Description, Difference/Deficit, Acceptability/Unacceptability, and Adequacy/Inadequacy. Seven hypotheses were analyzed by one-way analyses of variance to determine if any significant differences existed among the attitudinal factors on the basis of the demographic characteristics of the respondents. The findings of this study must be considered in relation to the following limitations: the size and nature of the sample, the difficulty of measuring attitudes, and the existence of cultural bias. * The study concluded with the following findings;1. The cultural background of the teachers did not relate to differences in attitudinal judgements toward the oral English of Indigenous students.2. The language background related to differences in attitudes toward language variation. Teachers who either spoke or understood an Indigenous language or Indigenous English were more positive toward the speech of their Indigenous students.3. The language and culture of the teachers in combination was found to relate to differing attitudes toward language variation. Those teachers who were both of Indigenous ancestry and either spoke or understood an Indigenous language or Indigenous English were more positive toward the speech of their Indigenous students.4. The years of teaching experience of the teachers was related to attitudinal differences toward language variation. There was a general trend for teachers with less experience to be more positive toward the speech of their Indigenous students.5. The-post-secondary education of the teachers was related to their attitudes toward language variation. The teachers with three to four years of post-secondary education and more specialty courses in linguistics, Indigenous education/studies, ESL/ESD, sociology of education, cross-cultural education, cultural anthropology, and language teaching methodologies were more positive and accepting of the speech of their Indigenous students. Length of training was not related to differing attitudes among Canadian teachers.6. The demographic characteristic of age was found to be related to differences in attitudes toward language variation. The younger teachers tended to have more positive attitudes toward the speech of Indigenous children. The variable of sex was important only for the Canandian group.Further findings indicated that the attitudinal factors most likely to be related to demographic characteristics were Difference/Deficit and Adequate/Inadequate. The respondents who tended to be more positive toward the students language generally described it as Different but also Adequate for classroom use. It was concluded that the variables of language, teaching experience, education, age and sex related significantly to teacher attitudes towards the oral English of Indigenous students. It was also found that culture and language in combination related to differences in attitudinal judgments. It was further concluded that since these characteristics were found to be important, teacher education programs need to examine assess, and design preservice, and inservice programs for the teachers of Indigenous children

2020 Organic Spring Wheat Crosses Variety Trial

The goal of this project is to develop new spring wheat varieties that are suited for organic management in Northeast soils and climatic conditions. Most commercially available varieties are developed in regions with climates, soils, and management techniques that are very different from northern New England. These modern varieties are also genetically homogenous and inbred for uniformity, sometimes resulting in rapid breakdown of genetic resistance to local diseases. Eight crosses were developed by Dr. Stephen Jones of Washington State University, including crosses of two varieties bred by famed Vermont botanist and wheat breeder Cyrus Pringle. Of these varieties, a number of crosses were made that have been grown out on farms with varying soils and climates for several years. Farmers have continued to grow the crosses, select the best-looking plants, and capture the genetic diversity from the populations

Winter Canola Variety Trial

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 relatively new crop for the Northeast, and varietal selection is one of the most important aspects of production since it significantly influences seed and oil yield potential. The goal of this trial was to evaluate varieties that can survive the harsh winters of our region and ultimately produce high yields

Summer Cover Crop Mix Trial

Many farmers have realized the multitude of benefits cover crops provide in terms of soil health and fertility. Most farmers, however, plant cover crops in the fall to protect their soils from erosion through the winter into spring while they do not have a crop planted. Summer cover cropping may be another option for growers interested in building soil health. Summer cover crops could be planted throughout the season and offer a wide range of species to select from so benefits are maximized. Another benefit to growing cover crops during the summer is increased whole plant above and belowground biomass. Maximizing biomass can help improve soil quality far quicker than cover crops grown during fall months. Although some of the investigated crops are planted in the northeast as forage crops, little is known about the potential for combining multiple species with the goal of maximizing soil health benefits. In 2014, the University of Vermont Extension conducted a summer cover crop mix trial. This is the first trial evaluating summer cover crop species mixes in the northeast. The trial was established at the Borderview Research Farm in Alburgh, Vermont

Organic Soybean Variety Trial

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