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

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

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

Impact of Biochar on Soil Chemical Properties and Corn Yield and Quality

Biochar is a solid “charred” organic residue produced by heating plant material in the absence of oxygen (pyrolysis). Biochar tends to have high aromaticity and reduced oxygen to carbon and hydrogen to carbon ratios. As such, it is more resistant to microbial decomposition than the original plant residues or ‘feedstocks’ (e.g., crop residue, straw, wood, shells, etc.). Applying biochar to agricultural soils has shown potential to increase soil carbon storage, reduce GHG emissions, enhance soil health, and improve yields. However, much remains uncertain about the practical application and impacts of biochar in working agricultural systems. This trial aims to assess the impact of the incorporation of biochar with different fertility treatments e.g. fertilizer and manure application methods (broadcast and injection) on soil nutrient content, corn crop yield, and corn quality

Corn Cropping Systems to Improve Economic and Environmental Health

In 2023, 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. Management choices involving crop rotation, tillage, nutrient management, and cover crops also make differences in the long term. Yields are important and they affect the bottom line immediately and obviously. 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 six different corn rotations: continuous corn, no-till, no-till with cover crop, corn planted in a rotation with perennial forage, corn planted after a cover crop of winter rye, and a perennial forage fescue planted after continue corn

Corn Cropping Systems to Improve Economic and Environmental Health

In 2022, 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. Management choices involving crop rotation, tillage, nutrient management, and cover crops also make differences in the long term. Yields are important and they affect the bottom line immediately and obviously. 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 six different corn rotations: continuous corn, no-till, no-till with cover crop, corn planted in a rotation with perennial forage, corn planted after a cover crop of winter rye, and a perennial forage fescue planted after continue corn

Impact of Cover Crop Termination Timing on Grain Corn Productivity

In 2020, UVM Extension’s Northwest Crops & Soils Program initiated a three-year trial at Borderview Research Farm in Alburgh, VT to assess the impact of cover crop termination timing on weed biomass, corn seedling populations, vigor, pest damage, and grain corn yield. Cover crops can offer a wide range of benefits including improved soil health, weed suppression, and erosion control. These benefits can contribute to higher crop yield and better crop quality. However, the impact a cover crop has on these benefits can be impacted by amount of plant material (biomass), which can increase with later termination timing. This project evaluated early season corn grain plant stands, weed biomass, and yields of four cover crop management practices: no cover crop, planting brown (cover crop terminated 3-4 weeks before corn planting), planting green/brown (cover crop terminated 2-8 days before corn planting), and planting green (cover crop terminated 3-5 days after corn planting)

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 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 2017, 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

Soybean Cover Crop Trial

In 2017, the University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops and Soils Program investigated the impact of various cover crop mixtures 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, established a trial in 2017 to investigate the impacts on soybean yield and quality of following annual cover crop mixtures with a soybean crop

Cool Season Annual Forage Mixtures Trial

In 2017, 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