UVM Blogs

Dr. Heather Darby UVM Extension Agronomist
 Introduction

Many conditions occurring in the fall, winter or spring can have an impact on the winter survival or injury of perennial forage stands, particularly […]

Vermont dairy farmers will once again have an opportunity to purchase federal insurance which protects the gross margin between low milk and high feed prices through the USDA’s Livestock Gross Margin for dairy cattle program.  UVM Extension’s agricultural economist, Bob Parsons, said that Vermont dairy farmers took full advantage of the program…[Read more]

Dr. Heather Darby, UVM Extension Agronomist Very low precipitation over the last few months has caused drought stress in isolated areas of the state. The dry weather can have an impact on corn growth and development. For many farms corn silage harvest will begin in the next few weeks partly due to an above average accumulation [...]

An armyworm outbreak has been reported in New York. Western NY through the western edge of the Finger Lakes is where there is the most activity. Damage to grass hay, wheat, corn, pastures, and lawns has been reported for this area. Armyworm has also been found in the greater Albany area and most recently in Clinton county (NE [...]

20 March 2012 WINTER SPREADING BAN LIFTED As a result of unusually warm and dry weather, lack of snow and projected weather forecast over the next few weeks the Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets in agreement with the Agency of Natural Resources and Vermont Association of Conservation Districts is lifting the winter spreading ban that [...]

Looking for ways to increase forage quality and yield? Frost seeding is a good way to establish desirable species into an undisturbed sod at a low cost per acre. Read Dr. Darby’s article for specific information and to learn the key to increase the success of frost seeding establishment.

Pam Smith, UVM Extension’s Crop Insurance Coordinator, just distributed the 2012 Key Crop Insurance Dates. The first deadline is 1/31 for AGR and AGR-Lite policies; sign up deadline for corn, soybeans, spring wheat, barley, and spring forage seedings is 3/15.

NOFA-NY’s ORGANIC RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM SARATOGA SPRINGS HILTON January 19th-20th, 2012 (preceding NOFA-NY’s Winter Conference) NOFA-NY’s inaugural Organic Farming Symposium will take place on January 19th and 20th, 2012 at the Saratoga Springs Hilton. Join organic farmers from across the Northeast to hear from over 50 researchers–academics at some…[Read more]

UVM Extension is offering a two-part course for anyone who applies manure to understand the rules and regulations with a goal of protecting the environment and conserving nutrients. The course will be offered from 10 am to 3 pm on both January 10 and 17 at the American Legion in St. Albans. There is no [...]

Tropical storm Irene has caused some of the most massive flood damage to crops in over fifty years. Many crop fields were completely destroyed, while others were left with varying degrees of damage. Before making any decisions about your fields, you should document and report any crop damage to your local U.S. Department of Agriculture [...]

Grain Storage and Processing Butterworks Farm Tuesday, September 20, 2011 11:00 am – 3:00 pm Butterworks Farm, Trumpass Rd., Westfield, VT Jack and Anne Lazor farm in Westfield, VT, in the heart of the Northeast Kingdom, where they produce delicious yogurt from their Jersey cows. Jack is one of Vermont’s pioneer grain growers—he started growing…[Read more]

Our hearts go out to each and every farm family dealing with the aftermath of Irene. Please let us know how we can best help! UVM Extension has created a list of resources that may be useful to farmers and citizens alike: http://www.uvm.edu/extension/?Page=emergency.html. For information on forage crops–including corn, hay and pasture–take a…[Read more]

Wednesday, August 10, 2011 11:00 am- 3:00 pm 2465 Gore Rd, Highgate Center, VT The Choiniere family farm has been in operation since 1945. Currently they are milking 75 organic cows and have 40 replacement cows. The farm began organic production in 2005. The farm has a total of 250 acres with 75 acres being [...]

Location: Borderview Farm, 46 Line Rd, Alburgh, VT Date: Thursday, August 4, 2011 Time: 10:00 am to 3:30 pm Download pdf version of brochure This year’s theme is Cultivating a Healthy Farm! From the ground up, we will highlight healthy soils, healthy crops and healthy people. Come and see over 2,000 research plots focusing on reduced tillage…[Read more]

Dr. Heather Darby, UVM Extension Agronomist Download pdf version of this article Recent intense rainfall events have caused flooding, ponding, and soil saturation in many of our corn and hay fields. What are the prospects for these crops? Corn Fields Corn planted nearly two weeks ago around the state is just now beginning to emerge and doing so [...]

Having had the wettest spring on record there are many fields that still remain unplanted. Many farmers are asking about alternative forage options to secure enough feed for the year. Although prime time to plant corn has passed there are still options available to secure high quality forage for the winter months. Read more to learn [...]

by Dr. Heather Darby UVM Extension Agronomist Many farmers have reported alfalfa fields that have been slow to green-up this spring. Having had a harsh winter it is highly likely that some forage fields have suffered from winter injury.  This article will present some options for managing and enhancing winter injured alfalfa stands. What…[Read more]

Excessive rainfall and flooding in Vermont during April could create locations where the prevented planting provisions of crop insurance policies may apply. Follow this link for a helpful fact sheet; Prevented Planting Insurance Provisions: Flood , which highlights the flood or excessive moisture prevented planting provisions for producers…[Read more]

Tuesday, February 22, 2011 11:00am – 3:00pm Fournier’s Farm Equipment Rte 78 Swanton, VT Download a copy of the brochure here. – Learn how to convert a conventional planter to no-till and reduced tillage. – Renowned expert Joel Myers, long-time no-till farmer from Pennsylvania will be there to offer advice and help explain the tools of the [...]

Sediment Abatement Project for Rock River and St.Albans Bay Friday, January 28th Swanton House of Pizza meeting room – Rt.78 downtown Swanton Village 10:30 am to 1 pm Agenda Slideshow and discussion of fall cover cropping activities -    Impact of seeding date on cover crop establishment in 2010 -    Spring termination of cover crop…[Read more]

Organic dairy producers will learn about animal nutrition, herd health considerations, the latest agronomic research, and more at a day-long workshop on Jan. 13. The Vermont Organic Dairy Producer Workshop will be held at the Red Schoolhouse on the Vermont Technical College (VTC) campus in Randolph Center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Registration is due [...]

Hi Folks, I sent out an email alerting readers to scholarships available for Gorst Valley Hops’s Hops 101 and 201 in Cooperstown, NY last week, only to be contacted by numerous people saying that they hadn’t received the email.  I’m not sure what happened in the ether of cyberspace, but allow me to reiterate here:  There [...]

Dr. Heather Darby, Agronomic Specialist, UVM Extension Once again, I have seen increased Northern Corn Leaf Blight (NLB) pressure in our area.  I have seen severe damage in the river valleys where dense fog and heavy dews are common.  Northern leaf blight is a fungal disease found in humid climates wherever corn is grown. The disease [...]

University of Vermont Northwest Crops and Soils Team’s Grain Quality Laboratory is up and running!  The team headed up by Heather Darby, received funding through the Castanea Foundation located in Montpelier, Vermont and generous private donations to purchase a sophisticated machine to test the Falling Number of wheat, an internationally…[Read more]

!–> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE <!–!–> <!– !–>– Forage Field Day hosted by G. Boucher Fertilizer Inc. Friday September 3, 2010 from 11:00am-3:00pm. …[Read more]

Thursday, August 5, 2010 10:00 am to 3:00 pm Borderview Farm 46 Line Rd, Alburgh, VT Click here to download a pdf version of the brochure. This year’s theme is Agricultural Innovations! Throughout the day we will highlight our many research projects that focus on sustainable cropping systems, fertility management, soil health, and integrated…[Read more]

Wednesday, July 28 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm Butterworks Farm Westfield, VT Click here for a PDF version of this brochure Field Day Highlights: Learn how to Grow and Process Grains . Jack Lazor will provide a tour of his grain fields and   describe production techniques. We will learn about growing flax, wheat, barley, oats, spelt, [...]

Wednesday, July 7, 2010 2:00pm to 4:00pm 48 Sayward Lane, Willsboro, NY (just past Willsboro Central School on the right) Google Map Admission is free and open to the public Research projects featured: Grass biofuel production, Season extension using high tunnels, Nutrient management, Tillage practices, and soil health, Organic grain…[Read more]

Monday, July 19, 2010, 11:00-3:00 pm, The Beidler Family Farm, Randolph Ctr, VT Unwilling to rest on past successes,Brent and Regina Beidler continually seek innovative ways to address common farming challenges such as limited growing seasons, production of a single commodity, nutrient management and pasture compaction. This field day will…[Read more]

Dr. Heather Darby, UVM Extension Download a PDF version of this article. Armyworm damage has been reported in Maine. Please don’t panic, but do go out and scout your corn and grass fields for armyworms. When full grown, the caterpillars can be almost 1.5 inches long. The caterpillars are usually greenish or brownish, but can be [...]

Dr. Heather Darby, UVM Extension Download a PDF version of this article . Continuous wet weather over the past 3 years presumably has led to a rise in slug populations. Slugs are a problem associated with fields with high amounts of crop residues. They like moist and cool conditions and primarily feed on crops after dusk and through [...]

Dr. Heather Darby, UVM Extension Download a PDF version of this article. The corn crop is off to a good start this season. Many fields are at the stage of rapid nutrient uptake. A key decision that needs to be made by farmers is whether additional nitrogen should be applied to meet the crop’s need for [...]

As Part of the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund’s ongoing Vermont Biofuels Initiative and UVM Extension’s research, a tool was developed intending to help farmers determine their total cost of production for oilseeds and oilseed products (e.g. meal, oil, biodiesel.)  The tool also allows the user to determine a potential profit based on assumed…[Read more]

Thursday, July 8th from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm Tamerlane Farm, 2586 Pudding Hill Rd Lyndonville, VT Download a brochure for this workshop (pdf). Tamerlane Farm is a diverse dairy, livestock, vegetable and grass-fed beef operation in Lyndonville, VT.  Milk is produced for Organic Valley/CROPP Cooperative and they supply beef and vegetables to their…[Read more]

Emergence Problems Plague Vermont Corn Fields Dr. Heather Darby, UVM Extension Download a pdf version of this article. It was a great spring for planting. The conditions were dry and many folks were able to get their corn planted by mid-May. However, dry and cool conditions during planting have resulted in a number of corn fields with [...]

Monday, June 21 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm Windfall Acres Highgate, VT Download a brochure (pdf) Interested in integrating reduced tillage into your cropping system? Come and learn from Joel Myers from the Pennsylvania No-Till Alliance about his tried and true strategies for successful reduced tillage. Joel will discuss advantages and…[Read more]

Lots of exciting workshops are cropping up this summer.  Our 7th annual NW Crops and Soils Field Day is on August 5th, be sure to mark it on your calendar, there’s something for everyone! Click here to download a detailed list of the workshops and events we have planned for this growing season.

Producing High Quality Organic Bread Wheat Tuesday, June 8 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm Gleason Grains Bridport, VT Download a pdf version of the brochure. Ben and his wife Theresa have been growing organic grain and milling on their farm in Bridport for over 28 years!  Join us as we tour their farm and milling facility. [...]

Recently, we have received a number of inquiries in regards to a timothy look alike that has colonized many fields in northern Vermont.  This grass has a purple hue and a similar spike shaped head to timothy.  Yes, this grass has already “headed-out”!  If you take a closer look you’ll find that it is quite different [...]

Reports of wireworms destroying crops have been rolling in from the fields.  Wireworms are a hard-bodied brown worm that is the larvae form of the click beetle.  They look very similar to meal worms.  The adult click beetles burrow into the ground and lay their eggs near grass roots.  This is why wireworms are commonly an [...]

The projected high fertilizer prices, especially nitrogen (N), should encourage you to manage nutrients on your farm as efficiently as possible.  The goal this year should be to reduce input costs without sacrificing yield.  Follow the link below to learn about three strategies that can help you manage nutrient supplies efficiently for 2010. <a …[Read more]

New England Farm Energy Conference March 15-16, 2010 Radisson Hotel Manchester, New Hampshire Click here to download brochure and for registration information. Keynote Speaker: Dr. Mike Morris, National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) Mike Morris works with farmers, ranchers, and communities on more sustainable ways of using energy and…[Read more]

Please join us at the 6th annual grain growing conference.  This daylong event will provide you with a diverse array of educational topics. This year the conference has been expanded to include 3 concurrent sessions throughout the day.  This new format will have something for everyone! Download the Brochure (pdf) LOCATION: The University of…[Read more]

VPT’s Emerging Science- Episode 2 Several scientists from the University of Vermont and University of Vermont Extension, including our own Heather Darby,  discuss Ecological Economics and how it relates to growing biofuels in Vermont.  Funding for the broadcast was provided by EPSCoR (Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research).  This…[Read more]

After a very successful First Annual Meeting, graciously hosted by Four Star Farms, we are happy to announce the date of our first Winter Hops Conference. Hopping to It! March 26, 2010 10:00 – 3:00 Trapp Family Lodge Stowe, Vermont We have some very exciting guest speakers lined up! Jason Perrault from Perrault Farms in Washington State…[Read more]

Join us for a day long workshop focused on conservation tillage tools! With increasing fuel and input costs reduced tillage just makes sense. Come and listen and learn from several farmers with vast experience with conservation tillage. January 26, 2010 10:00-3:30pm.

Click on picture to download a pdf copy of the brochure.