Summer Annual Forage Mixtures Trial

In 2016, the University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops and Soils Program evaluated yield and quality of six summer annual forage species and five mixtures at Borderview Research Farm in Alburgh, VT. In the Northeast, cool season grasses dominate the pastures and hay meadows farmers rely on throughout the season. With the onset of hot summer weather, these grasses enter dormancy and slow in production leading to what is generally referred to as the “summer slump”. In addition to this loss in production, organic producers must provide animals with 30% of their dry matter intake (DMI) from pasture over at least 120 days of the year. These constraints, in combination with variable weather, can make it very difficult to produce adequate forage from these cool season perennial grasses alone to meet the farmer’s needs. Summer annual species thrive in hot weather and can be grazed to help reach the pasture requirement or can be used as stored feed to supplement other sources. Recently, there has been a growing interest in utilizing multiple species to maximize forage yield and quality. In 2015, we trialed three- and five-way mixtures of various summer annual grass, legume, and forb species. We found it very difficult to establish a well-balanced mixture as the grasses tended to outcompete the other species. In 2016, we simplified the project to examine seeding rates of summer annual legumes and grasses to better understand how to establish mixtures of these species and be able to benefit from both species. While the information presented can begin to describe the yield and quality performance of these forage mixtures in this region, it is important to note that the data represent results from only one season and one location

Summer Annual Variety Trial

Warm season grasses, such as sorghum x sudangrass crosses, sudangrass, and millet are high-yielding annuals that can provide quality forage in the hot summer months, when the cool season grasses that make up most pastures and hay meadows in the Northeast 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

Cool Season Annual Forage Mixtures Trial

In 2016, 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 interest in utilizing multiple cool season forage species to maximize yield and quality. We compared seven varieties of five annual species alone and in three-and four-species mixtures to evaluate potential differences in forage production and quality. While the information presented can begin to describe the yield and quality performance of these forage mixtures in this region, it is important to note that the data represent results from only one season and one location

Corn Cropping Systems to Improve Economic and Environmental Health

In 2016, 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 rotations: continuous corn, no-till, corn planted after perennial forage, corn planted after a cover crop of winter rye, and a perennial forage fescue

Sunflower Planting Date x Variety Trial

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 and yields across varieties, an on-farm trial was designed and implemented by the University of Vermont Extension’s Northwest Crops & Soils Program in 2016

Vermont Organic Silage Corn Performance Trial

The University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops and Soils Program conducted an organic silage corn variety trial in 2016 to provide unbiased performance comparisons of commercially available 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

Using Winter Rye as Forage in Corn Silage Systems

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, and in the spring providing early forage prior to planting corn silage. To better understand how to successfully integrate winter rye forage into corn silage cropping systems, the University of Vermont Northwest Crops and Soils Program initiated a trial altering winter rye planting dates in combination with varying corn maturities

Sunflower Planting Date x Variety Trial Dr. Heather

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 was designed and implemented by the University of Vermont Extension’s Northwest Crops & Soils Program in 2017

Short Season Corn Silage Variety Trial

In 2016, the University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops and Soils Program 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 that many of these shorter season corn varieties can have comparable yield and quality to longer season corn varieties. It is important to remember that the data presented in this report are from a single year. Hybrid-performance data from additional tests over several years should be compared when making varietal selections

Forage Brassica Variety Trial

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 and 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 2016, the University of Vermont’s Northwest Crops & Soils Program conducted a forage brassica variety trial to evaluate yield and quality of commercially available forage brassica varieties