Oat Variety Trial

Oats (Avena sativa L.) have a long history of production in the Northeast. Although most oats are planted for a cover crop or forage, grain oats are a potential revenue source for farmers. According to the 2017 census, about 80 acres of land in Vermont is cultivated for oat grain production, with an average yield of 1956 lbs. ac-1. With the exception of hull-less varieties, oats need to be de-hulled before they can be used for human consumption and even further processing is required to make oatmeal, steel cut oats, or oat flour. Since 2009, the University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops and Soils Program has conducted oat variety trials to provide yield comparisons 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. The goal of this project was to evaluate yields and protein of twenty-five oat varieties

Heirloom Dry Bean Variety Trial

Dry beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), a high-protein pulse crop, have been grown in the Northeast since the 1800’s. As the local food movement continues to diversify and expand, consumers are asking stores to carry more locally-produced foods, and dry beans are no exception. Currently, the demand for heirloom dry beans has far exceeded the supply. In an effort to support and expend the local bean market throughout the northeast, the University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops and Soils Program established a fifth year of trials in 2019 to evaluate heirloom dry bean varieties to see which ones thrive in our northern climate

Steam Treated Grains Trial

Locally grown grains, such as wheat and barley, are in high demand in the Northeast for both livestock feed and human consumption. One major challenge that grain growers encounter is infection by fungal diseases, such as loose smut and the infection of Fusarium head blight (FHB). Loose smut appears on grains as “smutted grain heads”, which are filled with spores that appear black or brown. The spore masses replace the grain heads, so that fewer or no viable kernels are left for harvest. Smutted heads are caused by the fungal pathogen genus Ustilago. Ustilago nuda commonly infects barley, while Ustilago tritici infects wheat. Uncontrolled blights of loose smut not only reduce yield and grain quality but have the potential to wipe out an entire grain crop. In the U.S., seed-borne pathogens are often managed with fungicides, which presents a challenge to organic systems, as organic farmers cannot use conventional fungicides in their practices, but still need successful methods of preventing pathogens that commonly infect grains. Alternatives to fungicides include organic seed amendments and aerated steam treatments. Aerated steam treatments have been used to disinfect contaminated grain to mitigate cereal seed-borne diseases and fungi. The University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crop and Soils (NWCS) Program conducted a trial consisting of steam treated and untreated Prosper spring wheat and Robust 6-row barley to evaluate the effect of steam treatment on grain health, yield, and quality

Cover Crop Termination Trial

In 2020, the University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops and Soils Program investigated the impact of spring cover crop termination methods on a subsequent soybean crop’s yield and quality at Borderview Research Farm in Alburgh, VT. Soybeans are grown for human consumption, animal feed, and biodiesel, and can be a useful rotational crop in corn silage and grass production systems. As cover cropping expands throughout Vermont, it is important to understand the potential benefits, consequences, and risks associated with growing cover crops in various cropping systems. In an effort to support the local soybean market and to gain a better understanding of cover cropping in soybean production systems, the University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crop and Soils (NWCS) Program, as part of a grant from the Eastern Soybean Board, conducted a trial in 2020 to investigate the impacts of different cover crop termination methods on the yield and quality of the subsequent soybean crop

Impact of Cover Crops on No-Till Spring Grain Production

Soil health is fundamentally important to crop productivity. Cover cropping is one method of improving soil health, by preventing soil erosion and nutrient runoff, improving soil aggregation and nutrients, as well as providing other benefits to soils and crop productivity. Cover crops have also been noted for their ability to suppress weeds. Some cover crops have been noted for their allelopathic characteristics, which can decrease the germination of weeds. No-till and reduced tillage practices can also increase water infiltration and reduce soil degradation while keeping carbon in the soil. Different types of cover crops, such as grasses, legumes, and brassicas, have different benefits for soil health and nutrient retention. Cover crops are even being utilized as a forage on dairy farms. There is a need for more research on cover crops to define the best species, varieties, and mixes for a Northeastern climate and for achieving higher cash crop yields. To examine the impact of winter terminated cover crops on yields of no-till spring wheat, the University of Vermont Extension’s Northwest Crop and Soils (NWCS) Program conducted a field trial with cover crops planted fall 2018 and spring wheat grown in the 2019 field season. The suitability of the cover crops as forages were also examined

Soybean Cover Crop Trial

In 2020, the University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops and Soils Program investigated the impact of various cover crop mixtures on the subsequent soybean crop’s yield and quality at Borderview Research Farm in Alburgh, VT. Soybeans are grown for human consumption, animal feed, and biodiesel and can be a useful rotational crop in corn silage and grass production systems. As cover cropping expands throughout Vermont, it is important to understand the potential benefits, consequences, and risks associated with growing cover crops in various cropping systems. In an effort to support the local soybean market and to gain a better understanding of cover cropping in soybean production systems, the University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crop and Soils (NWCS) Program, as part of a grant from the Eastern Soybean Board, conducted a trial in 2019-2020 to investigate the impacts on soybean yield and quality following annual cover crop mixtures with a soybean crop

Hop Nitrogen Fertility Trial

Until now, commercial hop (Humulus lupulus L.) production has not occurred in the northeast (NE) region of the United States for 150 years. 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 now accounts for over 2% of the total U.S. hop acreage. Nationally, there has been recent and unprecedented growth in the craft beer sector, which has dramatically increased demand for local hop production. There are more than 400 acres of hops in the Northeast with hop yards ranging in size from 0.25 to 25 acres. Hop yields in the region are often limited by pest damage and nutrient deficiencies. This is a reemerging industry in the Northeast and growers are asking for research to determine practices that will help them optimize hop yield. Yields reach 1500-2000 lbs/acre in other production regions, yet most NE growers are below 800 lbs/acre. The investment to start a hop farm is significant and higher yields must be achieved to help growers be successful and profitable. The goal of this research project was to identify proper nitrogen (N) rate and timing to optimize hop yield and quality

Oat Variety Trial

Oats (Avena sativa L.) have a long history of production in the Northeast. Although most oats are planted for a cover crop or forage, grain oats are a potential revenue source for farmers. According to the 2017 census, about 80 acres of land in Vermont is cultivated for oat grain production, with an average yield of 1956 lbs ac-1. With the exception of hull-less varieties, oats need to be de-hulled before they can be used for human consumption and even further processing is required to make oatmeal, steel cut oats, or oat flour. Since 2009, the University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops and Soils Program has conducted oat variety trials to provide yield comparisons 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. The goal of this project was to evaluate yields and protein of twenty-three oat varieties

Forage Oat Seeding Rate Trial

In 2020, the University of Vermont Extension’s Northwest Crop and Soils Program evaluated the performance of forage oats planted at various seeding rates. In the Northeast, cool season perennial grasses dominate pastures and hay meadows that farmers rely on. Often times during the fall months, the perennial pasture will decline in yield and quality. The addition of cool season annual forages, such as oats, into the grazing system during this time may help improve the quality and quantity of forage. To maximize fall forage yields, farmers want to know if they should increase seeding rates. To determine if higher seeding rates of oats will boost fall forage production, a trial was initiated in the fall of 2020 to evaluate oat seeding rates from 75 to 200 lbs per acre

Hop Crowning Trial

Downy mildew has been identified as the primary pathogen plaguing our northeastern hop yards. This disease causes reduced yield, poor hop quality, and can even cause the plant to die in severe cases. Control measures that reduce disease infection and spread while minimizing the impact on the environment, are desperately needed for the region. Mechanical control is one means to reduce downy mildew pressure in hop yards. Scratching, pruning, or crowning is a practice initiated in the early spring prior to or when new growth has just emerged from the soil