Non-GMO Corn Silage Variety Trial

In 2018, the University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops and Soils Program evaluated yield and quality of 12 non-GMO corn silage varieties at Bridgeman View Farm in Franklin, VT. A non-GMO milk market has prompted some dairy farmers to start growing corn silage that has not been genetically modified. Conventional farmers have countless corn silage varieties available supported by performance data and trait information. To successfully convert 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

Spring Barley Variety Trial

With the revival of the small grains industry in the Northeast and the strength of the localvore movement, craft breweries and distilleries have expressed an interest in sourcing local barley for malting. Malting barley must meet specific quality characteristics such as low protein content and high germination. Many farmers are also interested in barley as a concentrated, high-energy feed source for livestock. Depending on the variety, barley can be planted in either the spring or fall, and both two- and six-row barley can be used for malting. In 2012-2013, UVM Extension conducted a spring barley trial to evaluate the yield and quality of publicly available malting and feed barley varieties

Organic Soybean Variety Trial

In 2016, the University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops and Soils Team evaluated yield and quality of organic soybean varieties at Borderview Research Farm in Alburgh, VT. Growing conditions in Alburgh are conducive to grow soybeans from maturity group 1.8 and under. Due to the short growing season in Vermont, little research has been conducted on soybeans and the insects and diseases that can affect their harvest yield and quality. Soybeans are grown for human consumption, animal feed, and biodiesel. 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 trials in 2016 to evaluate soybean varieties under conventional management to evaluate which ones thrive in our northern climate

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

Maximizing Forage Yields in Corn Silage Systems with Winter Grains

Producing sufficient high quality forage on farms 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 rye, wheat and triticale, 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. The fall planted forage also provides essential soil cover during winter months to reduce soil and nutrient loss. In the fall of 2016, the University of Vermont Northwest Crops and Soils Program initiated a trial investigating the integration of winter grains for forage into corn silage cropping systems

Soybean Variety Trial

In 2016, 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. Due to the short growing season in Vermont, little research has been conducted on soybeans and the insects and diseases that can affect their harvest yield and quality. Soybeans are grown for human consumption, animal feed, and biodiesel. 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 2016 to evaluate soybean varieties under conventional management to see which varieties and characteristics thrive in our northern climate

Vermont Organic Silage Corn Performance Trial

The University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops and Soils Program conducted an organic silage corn variety trial in 2018 to provide unbiased performance comparisons of commercially available varieties. With the expansion of the organic dairy industry in our region there is increased interest in organic corn silage production. To determine varieties that are best suited to this production system and our region’s climate, we evaluated 11 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

Summer Annual Variety Trial

Warm season grasses, such as sudangrass, and millet can provide quality forage in the hot summer months, when the cool season grasses 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

Winter Barley Variety Trial

With the revival of the small grains industry in the Northeast and the strength of the localvore movement, craft breweries and distilleries have expressed an interest in sourcing local barley for malting. Malting barley must meet specific quality characteristics such as low protein content and high germination. Many farmers are also interested in barley as a concentrated, high-energy feed source for livestock. Depending on the variety, barley can be planted in either the spring or fall, and both two- and six-row barley can be used for malting. In 2012-2013, UVM Extension conducted a winter barley trial to evaluate the yield and quality of publicly available malting and feed barley varieties