Conventional Soybean Variety Trial

In 2019, the University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops and Soils Team evaluated yield and quality of short season soybean varieties at Borderview Research Farm in Alburgh, VT. Soybeans are grown for human consumption, animal feed, and biodiesel. As farmers look to reduce feed costs or diversify markets, soybean acreage across Vermont is increasing. Local research is needed to identify varieties that are best adapted to this region. In an effort to support and expand the local soybean market throughout the northeast, the University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crop and Soils (NWCS) Program, as part of a grant from the Eastern Soybean Board, established a trial in 2019 to evaluate yield and quality of soybean varieties appropriate for the region

Winter Canola Variety Trial

Winter canola is a relatively new crop to the Northeast. The majority of the canola grown in North America is grown in the Midwestern U.S. and Canada for both culinary oil as well as biodiesel production. Winter canola is planted in the late summer where it grows through the fall before entering a period of dormancy for the winter. The following spring, the plants resume growth and seed is harvested during the summer months. Winter canola could potentially be a useful crop to growers in the Northeast for diversifying rotations, farm products and markets, and producing fuel on farm. However, for winter canola to be a viable crop in our region, we must identify the varieties that can survive the winter months. To do this, the Northwest Crops and Soils Program conducted a variety trial in 2018-2019, which was part of the National Winter Canola Variety Trial

Cover Crop Planting Date Trial

Maintaining and improving soil health is critical to crop productivity. Cover cropping is one way to prevent soil erosion, maintain and/or improve soil nutrients, improve soil aggregation, prevent nutrient loss from runoff, and increase water retention. Such soil improvements can promote conditions that add resiliency to a crop, especially in light of extreme weather patterns that may affect yields. It can be challenging to grow a successful cover crop, given other demands from a farm operation and weather limitations. In this trial, our goals were to evaluate the effect of cover crop planting dates and cover crop mixes on biomass production and soil coverage

Cool Season Annual Forage Mixtures Trial

In 2019, the University of Vermont Extension’s Northwest Crop and Soils Program evaluated the performance of cool season annuals for forage planted in mixtures and in monoculture. 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 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 eleven varieties of eight annual species alone and in two-and-three species mixtures to evaluate potential differences in forage yield 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

Syngenta Silage Corn Variety Trial

The University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops and Soils Program conducted a variety trial of silage corn from Syngenta AG (Greensboro, NC) to provide unbiased performance comparison of eight commercially available varieties, and to determine varieties best suited to this production system and local climate. 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

Vermont Non-GMO Corn Silage Performance Trial

In 2020, the University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops and Soils Program evaluated yield and quality of six non-GMO corn silage varieties at Borderview Research Farm in Alburgh, VT. To successfully transition to growing non-GMO corn, farmers are looking for more information on non-GMO varieties that are available and perform well in our region. While the information presented can begin to describe the yield and quality performance of these non-GMO corn silage varieties in this region, it is important to note that the data represent results from only one season and one location

Interseeding Cover Crops into Wide-Row Corn Silage

There has been increased interest in interseeding cover crops into corn. Cover cropping is a way to prevent soil erosion, maintain and/or improve soil nutrients, improve soil aggregation, prevent nutrient loss from runoff, and increase water retention. Such soil improvements can promote conditions that add resiliency to a crop, especially in light of extreme weather patterns that may affect yields. Interseeding can be beneficial by providing year round ground coverage and maximizing a short growing season by interseeding early to allow for full cover crop growth. It can be difficult to grow a successful cover crop, given other demands from a farm operation and weather limitations. One challenge that farmers face when trying to implement interseeding is establishing the cover crops into dense rows of corn. Shading by corn plants restricts cover crop growth especially as the season progresses. Traditionally corn is planted in dense 30-in. rows to maximize yields and decrease weed pressure. In 2018, Practical Farmers of Iowa conducted on-farm research trials to study the effect of wide rows (60-inch) on corn grain yields and cover crop biomass, and researchers saw mixed results (Gailans, 2018). This innovative practice may be a viable solution for farmers in the northeast but research needs to be conducted to determine the impact of wide rows on corn silage yield and quality and cover crop biomass. In 2019, the University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops and Soils Program initiated a trial to examine the impact of corn row spacing on interseeded cover crop success, and corn yield and quality here in the northeast

Vermont Organic Silage Corn Performance Trial

The University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops and Soils Program conducted an organic silage corn variety trial in 2020 to provide unbiased performance comparisons of commercially available varieties. To determine varieties that are best suited to this production system and our region’s climate, we evaluated 9 commercially available organic corn silage 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

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

Cover Crop Termination Trial

In 2019, 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 2019 to investigate the impacts of different cover crop termination methods on the yield and quality of the subsequent soybean crop