A UVM blog Out Croppings: Important crop news from the field!

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Corn Stunt Disease and Insect Vector: New Pests in New York State

By outcropn

A corn disease and its insect vector were recently documented in New York State for the first time. Researchers at Cornell University found corn stunt and the corn leafhopper in four noncontiguous New York counties in October 2024. Growers should be aware that both could appear in Vermont in future years and that corn stunt can significantly reduce yield. 

“The causal agent of corn stunt, Spiroplasma kunkelii, belongs to a specialized class of bacteria known as mollicutes,” wrote Gary C. Bergstrom in his November 4, 2024, blog, Corn Stunt: A New Disease and a New Insect Vector for New York State. Professor emeritus of Cornell’s Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology Section of the School of Integrative Plant Science, Bergstrom wrote that these mollicutes live in the corn leafhopper, Dalbulus maidis, and in the phloem sieve elements of specific plant hosts. 

Below, we’ve summarized Bergstrom’s information on the symptoms, history, and management of corn stunt. For more detail, please see his blog.

After feeding on infected plants, the corn leafhopper transmits the pathogen as it feeds on healthy plants, but corn stunt symptoms don’t generally appear until about a month later. The most severe symptoms occur when corn is infected at early growth stages (from VE to V8), and they’re similar to symptoms from other stressors, including drought, soil compaction, and phosphorous deficiency. These symptoms include white, yellow, red, or purple stripes on leaf blades and sheathes, as well as premature senescence. Symptoms more unique to corn stunt include significant ear stunting and abnormalities, such as poorly filled ears, no ears or multiple ears at the same node. 

Corn stunt could occur again in New York in future growing seasons and would cause significant yield losses. In the past decade, the pathogen has been active in some southern and eastern states, but it has only reached epidemic proportions in Texas, Florida, and California, as well as in Mexico and Central and South America. The weather systems that moved from south to north in 2024 likely transported the corn leafhopper farther north than usual. If the same systems don’t recur in future years, corn stunt may not reappear in the northeast U.S. Many people expect that the corn leafhopper can’t overwinter in northern climates, but climate change may alter that. Plant pathologists and entomologists in affected states are collaborating to monitor the pathogen and leafhopper vector in 2025.

Managing corn stunt begins with awareness, accurate diagnosis, and regional monitoring. Though plant breeding has developed corn varieties resistant to the pathogen, they aren’t suitable for northern climates. “Management of corn leafhopper populations with insecticides at corn vegetative stages to reduce corn stunt deserves further investigation,” Bergstrom wrote. “My principal advice to New York growers in 2025 is to plant corn at the earliest recommended date to avoid arrival of leafhoppers at the most vulnerable plant stages for infection by spiroplasma.”

Figure 1 (left). Corn leafhopper, Dalbulus maidis, the insect vector of corn stunt spiroplasma, is characterized by two prominent dark dots between its eyes and a deeply imbedded V-pattern on its upper thorax. Photo courtesy of Dr. Ashleigh Faris, Oklahoma State University.

Figure 2 (right). Corn plants testing positive for corn stunt spiroplasma showed stunting, leaf reddening, and abnormal ears in (A) Erie County and (B) Jefferson County, New York, near the end of the 2024 growing season.

NEW YORK and VERMONT CORN SILAGE HYBRID EVALUATION PROGRAM

By outcropn

The 2024 Corn Silage Hybrid Evaluation report for NY and VT has been completed and is posted on our UVM Research Reports webpage https://www.uvm.edu/extension/nwcrops/research

Hybrid evaluation at multiple environments helps in decision making and expands the reach of this type of data to more farmers. Cornell, UVM, and seed companies collaborate to provide this evaluation. Hybrids were either entered into the 85-98 day RM group (Early-Mid; n = 29) or were entered into the 99-110 day RM group (Mid-Late; n = 31). All hybrids were planted at two locations; the Musgrave Research Farm in Aurora, NY (Cayuga County) and Borderview Farm in Alburgh, VT (Grand Isle County). Harvest dates were staggered by maturity group at each location. Weather data, growing degree days (GDD; 86-50°F system), and precipitation, for both the current year and long-term averages, can be found in Table 1 for all locations.

The NY and VT corn silage evaluation program is made possible with support from dairy producers, participating seed companies, Cornell University, the University of Vermont, and the Cornell University Agricultural Experiment Station. Seed companies were invited to submit hybrids into either maturity group (two locations per maturity group) for a fee.

View this research report for the details and results at https://www.uvm.edu/sites/default/files/Northwest-Crops-and-Soils-Program/2024%20Research%20Rpts/2024_NY_VT_Corn_Silage_Hybrid_Evaluation_Report_11.11.24.pdf.

2023 Cost of Production on Grass-fed Dairy Farms in the Northeast

By outcropn

Since 2018 our research team has been collecting and analyzing financial data from 100% grass-fed dairy producers in the northeast with the goal to better understand the cost of producing milk in this production system. With several years of data, we have been able to create a useful benchmark for northeast grass-fed dairy producers.1 This article will summarize the 2023 dataset and begin to explore management system and production practice impacts on cost of production and profitability.

Dairy farms located in NY, NH, and VT that are shipping 100% grass-fed milk were able to participate in the study. Data are presented as an overall average for all farms in the study and also divided into groups by total cost of production. Three groups were created representing low ($55) production costs on a hundredweight equivalent (cwt eq.) basis. Total cwt eq. shipped for each farm was determined by converting dairy-related non-milk income (i.e., crop sales, calf sales, etc.) into an equivalent number of milk hundredweights which is then added to the milk hundredweights sold. While our focus is on the cost to produce grass-fed milk, the data collected included information on changes in inventory (herd, equipment, etc.), and asset values allowing net farm income from operations (NFIFO), return on assets (ROA), and operating profit margin (OPM) to be calculated. These data are reported in Table 1 found in the online article on the Grass-fed Dairy webpage – https://www.uvm.edu/extension/nwcrops/grass-fed-dairy

2023 Farm Demographics – Participating farms were selling milk to Organic Valley (58%), Maple Hill Creamery (19%), and other local markets (23%). The herd size ranged from 30 to 123 milking cows with an average of 60 cows per farm. Farms were managing an average of 295 acres resulting in 4.5 acres available per mature cow (Figure 1). The farms estimated they purchased on average 34.2% of their herd’s forage needs. Herds were mainly composed of crossbreeds, however, there were farms milking pure-bred Holstein, Jersey, and other breeds which differ in milk and fat production. While most farms milked year-round, there were some fully seasonal herds (16%) and herds milking at frequencies other than twice daily (16%).

Review the full factsheet on the Grass-fed Dairy webpage at https://www.uvm.edu/extension/nwcrops/grass-fed-dairy. You will review information on the income and expenses, average farm summary statistics, labor efficiency, and farm financial health metrics.

As we gain a better understanding of this production system and the range of management practices within it, we continue to refine our data collection and analysis to gain better insights into the most widely successful strategies for grass-fed dairy farms in the northeast. The information presented here is just the beginning of more in-depth analysis that will continue to develop over the next few years as we explore the connections between management, cost of production, and profitability.

New Curriculum for Climate-Smart Solutions for Agriculture

By outcropn

Summary

University of Vermont Extension’s Northwest Crops and Soils program is excited to share a new, no-cost curriculum and educational resources to prepare 21st-century students for climate-smart solutions for agriculture. With this engaging and interactive curriculum, middle and high school students will learn how to use scientifically informed approaches to sustainability in agriculture. It and other materials are available at no cost on the University of Vermont’s Northwest Crops and Soils program Resources for Educators webpage: https://www.uvm.edu/extension/nwcrops/resources-educators.

Resource Details

The On Common Ground: Expanding Agricultural Literacy with Citizen Science (OCG) Resource Hubbrings agriculture into the classroom with student-driven experimental design and implementation.

The OCG Resource Hub provides a 13-lesson curriculum that builds student knowledge in agriculture and develops critical thinking about the practical application of the scientific method to real-world problems. The suite of resources hosted on the OCG Resource Hub also includes the following.

AgConnect is a free, teacher-controlled platform that guides students through lab and field-based experimental design and the scientific method with an agricultural focus.

360° photo tours will introduce your students to no-till and high-tunnel crop production systems in Vermont.

WE FARM (Water & Environment Farm Assessment and Risk Management),  transports your students to a virtual farm. There, students’ goals are to identify potential environmental risks and choose the management practices they think will best mitigate potential issues.

Prepares Students for 21st-Century Jobs

These tools will help students prepare for today’s job market. A 2020 report for the 2020-2025 outlook summary by USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and Purdue University estimated that there would be an average of 59,400 annual job openings in the food, renewable natural resources, and environmental fields from 2020 to 2025. Current graduation rates in these fields indicate that only 61 percent of these new positions will be filled. In the most recently updated U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report (2022), there were 804,600 workers employed in the agricultural industry sector. In today’s global economy, education is the currency that helps students get good jobs. Not only is there a need for highly qualified individuals in the domestic labor market, but our students must also be prepared to compete in the international market.

Increases Agricultural Literacy

The overarching goal of the OCG Resource Hub is to increase agricultural literacy. Less than a century ago, in 1935, when employment in U.S. agriculture was at its highest, 1 out of every 25 people was employed in agriculture. The most recent data show that the number is now fewer than 1 in 100 (Roser, 2019). This decrease reflects an American public that is losing a connection to agriculture, reducing Americans’ ability to make informed decisions about their agricultural purchases and policy.

Contact

Learn more about the On Common Ground: Expanding Agricultural Literacy with Citizen Science Resource Hub at the Resources for Educators webpage of the University of Vermont Extension’s Northwest Crops and Soils Program: https://www.uvm.edu/extension/nwcrops/resources-educators. If you would like to schedule an agricultural literacy professional development workshop or field trip to Borderview Agriculture Research Farm in Alburgh, contact Lindsey Ruhl at lindsey.ruhl@uvm.edu or 802-656-7622 or 802-656-7610.

On Common Ground curriculum and suite of teaching tools were developed with generous funding from the United States Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Award No. 2020-67038-31043.

White Mold in Dry Beans

By outcropn

Sclerotinia white mold (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum) is a fungal pathogen that affects a wide range of crops including dry beans. It infects the flowers on the dry bean plant. White mold thrives in cool, moist conditions, such as those associated with the end of the growing season here in the northeast. Now is the time when you may start to notice signs of white mold infection in your dry bean or soybean fields.

The symptoms associated with white mold  infection are bleached, brown lesions, and  white cotton-like mycelia (Fig 1). Symptoms can appear on the stems and pods of the dry bean plant. It does not affect the leaves directly, although while scouting your field you may notice a ‘flag leaf’ or singular wilted, yellow leaf indicating white mold infection lower down on the plant under the canopy. The pathogen survives as sclerotia (compact masses of hardened fungal mycelium; Fig 2) in the soil for several years. Sclerotia can reproduce either by the production and release of airborne spores that come into contact with the plant or by direct contact with the plant with the fungal growth in soil or neighboring plant.

Fungicide applications can be useful for preventing infection of the dry bean flowers if you have a field with a history of white mold. But the applications must be done at the time of flowering. Once white mold symptoms develop, any applications at this point can only protect the further developing flowers and will not cure the current infection. Dr. Sarah Pethybridge shared a lot of helpful information about dry bean diseases including white mold and the use of fungicides (organic and conventional) in our Beans for Lunch webinar series (click to view recording).

To reduce the risk of future white mold infection, it is important to rotate your dry bean crop with non-host crops such as corn and cereals. Crop residue management is also very important. Do not leave white mold infected residue on the soil surface. If possible, cover up the plant residue with soil to promote degradation. Other ways to reduce the risk of white mold infection is by increasing airflow to the plants. This can be done by reducing seeding rate or increasing row spacing. Additionally, reducing weed pressure can be beneficial. Many broad-leaf weed species such as lambsquarters, ragweed, pigweed, and velvet leaf, act as hosts to white mold.

Cool Season Annuals and Late Summer Seedings of Perennials

By outcropn

If you’re in need of some more feed, want to extend your grazing season, or want to get a jump on seeding new perennial stands for next year, now is a great time to do it. This time of year, can be challenging for new seedings if we have hot dry weather. But with ample soil moisture and cooler temperatures, conditions are ideal for seeds to germinate quickly and establish well ahead of frost.

Late Summer Seeding of Perennial Forages

Timing and conditions are key with seeding perennials in late summer. Often, we experience hot dry weather this time of year which can reduce germination, slow emergence, and allow annual weeds to take over. Luckily this year we have received adequate moisture in August with more projected in the coming weeks. These new forage stands need 6-8 weeks before a killing frost to establish sufficiently to survive the winter. Although the timing of frost in our region has been variable, this typically means planting by mid-to-late August. Remember not to plant these forage seeds too deep, so aim to plant between ¼ to ½ inch. Be cautious if the soil is soft and you are planting with a grain drill, it may plant deeper than you realize. Also be aware of any herbicides residual that may prevent germination especially of sensitive species like clover. Finally, don’t forget fertility. Although conditions may be favorable for getting these seeded soon, taking the time to amend the soil if it is needed is also important and shouldn’t be overlooked in the favor of time.

Fall Annual Forages

Planting cool season annuals such as annual ryegrass, small grains, peas, and brassicas, can enhance the diversity of nutritional feed sources for your herd. Utilizing these annuals can help stretch feed supplies, by extending the grazing season or adding to stored feed supplies. The addition of cool season annual forages can extend the grazing season well into October or later depending on the year. The sooner you plant cool season annuals, the more time they will have to establish and produce biomass! Continue reading to learn specifics about a few different options for cool season annuals in the Northeast.

Annual Ryegrass

Annual ryegrass is a fantastic fall forage. It establishes quickly and most varieties are very palatable for grazing. Annual ryegrass can produce about 1000 to 2000 lbs of dry matter per acre in our region if sown by late August. The seed is typically quite inexpensive compared to winter cereal grains or brassicas making it an affordable way to boost fall grazing and/or feed stores. Annual ryegrass can be drilled at a rate of 20 to 30 lbs per acre at a depth of ¼ to ½ inch.

Brassicas

Forage brassicas, such as turnips, kales, and radishes, can provide plenty of high-quality fall forage for grazing. They may be seeded alone or in combination with other annuals and can yield 1500 to 2000 lbs of dry matter per acre. Brassicas are highly digestible and therefore need to be grazed with caution to avoid herd health issues. Animals should only be allowed to graze brassicas for short periods of time and given adequate supplemental fiber. Overall, brassicas should constitute less than 30% of an animal’s overall dry matter intake. Remember, brassica forage can lead to off-flavors in milk and this factor should be considered especially with direct to consumer sales. Brassicas can be drilled at a rate of about 6 lbs per acre at a depth of ¼ to ½ inch.

Small Grains

Small grains are also great options for fall forage. There are spring and winter grains that can be planted to produce late season forage. Winter triticale, wheat, and rye can produce decent quantities of biomass in the fall prior to going into dormancy for the winter. These winter grains are typically grazed in the fall and left to provide soil cover over the winter months. Spring regrowth can also provide early season grazing. Spring grains such as oats, triticale, wheat, and barley can also be used; however, they will only produce forage in the fall as they will winterkill in northern New England. Oats are very fast growing and produce about 2000 to 3500 lbs of dry matter per acre. There are forage-specific oat and triticale varieties that bred for wider leaves and higher nutrition. Select these varieties if available for maximum yield and forage value. Forage peas pair well with small grains, especially oats, as their more upright stature provides structure for the peas to vine up. Combining forage peas and small grains can provide a highly digestible forage.

Small grains may be seeded with a grain drill at a rate of 100 to 125 pounds to a depth of 1 to 2 inches. Peas are generally added to the mix at a rate of 50 lbs of seed per acre.  Broadcasting the seed followed by light incorporation can also be successful. Plant spring grains and peas from mid to late August to maximize the fall biomass. Winter grains can be planted from early to mid-September to achieve acceptable biomass for grazing in the late fall.

For current information and research on using cool season annual forages, check out these sources:

Click to access Annual_Forage_Guide_5.pdf

Click to access managing-cereal-grains-for-forage.pdf

Click to access 2023_Fall_Annual_Forages_Report.pdf

Click to access 2023_Legume_VT_Report_Final.pdf

Click to access 2023_Perennial_Grass_VT_Report_Final.pdf

What’s growing on your crop? Grain head diseases of cereal grains

By outcropn

Grain head diseases in cereal crops are critical to pay attention to as they can cause significant yield loss and lower the quality of the seed. Some pathogens, including Fusarium head blight (FHB) and ergot, are also highly toxic to both humans and livestock.

Many of the head diseases covered in this blog are also known as seed-borne pathogens. Seed-borne pathogens can survive on or within the seed. This infection can cause disease in the seed itself or the developing plant and potentially lead to further infection in the field. If these diseases are not managed properly infection can compound each year if environmental conditions are favorable. This is especially important to be aware of if you are practicing seed saving strategies.

Common Head Diseases of Grain

Fusarium Head Blight (FHB) aka Scab, Pathogen: Fusarium graminearum

Affected crops: Wheat, barley, oats, rye, triticale, and grasses

FHB is one of the most problematic diseases in the Northeast. Not only does the pathogen cause both yield and quality loss, but under favorable conditions it can cause a mycotoxin called deoxynivalenol (DON). Consumer grains contaminated with 1 ppm or higher can pose a significant human health risk and are restricted from use in food products. High rates of DON can also affect livestock health as well.

Fusarium spores can survive on plant material, soil, and seed, as well as be carried on air currents or by rain splash. The pathogen prefers wet, humid, and warm weather. Wheat is more susceptible at flowering, while barley is more susceptible at heading.

Symptoms in the field can include bleaching on the grain spike while the plant is still green, around the milky ripe stage and salmon-colored spores may be visible on infected spikelets. Infected seeds appear shriveled with a tint of pink. A seed lot sample should be tested as fusarium infection has little correlation to DON infection and could still be over the threshold even if little is seen. Mixed management practices are needed to reduce potential infection. There are some resistant varieties, rotate crops and avoid planting where host crops were the previous year (corn and small grains). Tilling and burying residue can reduce the spore population, along with staggering planting dates which can help minimize a widespread infection.

Ergot, Pathogen: Claviceps purpurea

Affected crops: All cereal and a wide range of grasses, but most serious in rye

Ergot is an easily identifiable disease on grain as the overwintering structures, known as sclerotia, replace the kernel with a large, up to 2 cm, black sclerotium. Ergot is not a true seed-borne pathogen, but it can be spread through a contaminated seed lot or sclerotia that fell off into the field during the previous grain harvest. Spores can be carried in the wind and infect spikelets during flowering. Sclerotia can survive for 1 year on the soil surface so rotating out of a susceptible host is recommended for that time as well as purchasing certified clean seed.

Ergot can be toxic to humans and livestock, causing vomiting, hallucinations, gangrene, muscle spasms, restricted blood flow, loss of extremities, and in some cases can be fatal. Rye crops should always be tested before consumption.

Loose Smut, Pathogen: Ustilago spp.

Affected crops: Wheat, barley, oats

Loose smut can be a devastating seed-borne pathogen causing significant yield loss if widespread. The Northeast is highly susceptible to this disease as it prefers cool, damp conditions and is easily dispersed through the wind. The pathogen resides within the seed and is not visible to the naked eye. At head or spike emergence, diseased heads will emerge slightly earlier than non-infected plants. The heads will appear as a dark brown mass which is covered by a thin membrane. Once healthy plants begin flowering, the membrane ruptures and the spores are blown onto heathy plants to cause further infection. Smutted head has little to no grain.

Planting certified disease-free seed can reduce the risk of loose smut. Research is currently underway to test the efficacy of aerated steam and ozone to control disease in organic systems.

Black Point, Pathogen: Bipolaris sorokiana

Affected crops: All cereal grains, wheat and barley are most affected.

Bipolaris sorokiana is a fungal pathogen that can cause multiple diseases. Mycelium and spores can survive on soil and crop residue. Associated diseases with this pathogen include common root rot, spot blotch on leaves, and black point on grain heads.  Black point can occur when rain or excessively humid events occur at grain fill and drying, as this weather allows for the fungal spore to penetrate the grain head and kernels. Black point causes the tip of the grain kernels to become discolored and blacken, unfortunately it is only noticeable after harvest. This disease can affect milling quality and may lead to poor flour, poor bran color and possible rejection. It is recommended to plant clean, disease-free seed as well as rotating out of a field that had a high incidence the year before. Choosing varieties that are adapted to the geographic area could help to limit infection and there are some varieties that show resistance.

Glume Blotch, Pathogen: Parastagonospora nodorum

Affected crops: Wheat, barley, rye

Glume Blotch can become a more serious disease in years with heavy rain fall and warm temperatures that accompany extended humidity. The pathogen can overwinter on seeds, stubble, crop debris, wild grasses, autumn-sown crops, and volunteer plants. When environmental conditions are favorable infection occurs at flowering, grain heads will become bleached accompanied by a brown/purple discoloration.  Once developed the grain heads can shrivel, which decreases the grains test weight. It is important to use certified disease-free seed and clean equipment to minimize contamination. Rotating crops to a non-host crop can help to mitigate the risk of infection if it was noticed in your crop.

UVM Extension NWCS: Looking for organic grain samples for disease survey

UVM Extension Northwest Crops and Soils Program is conducting a multi-state grain disease survey to better understand the presence of seed-borne diseases in U.S. grain. If you are interested in submitting a sample to help this research effort and to learn more about what is affecting your crops, please read our Organic Seed Health Survey Letter  and to submit a sample click here for the form. If you have any questions, please reach out to Heather Darby (Heather.Darby@uvm.edu) or Kellie Damann (Kellie.Damann@uvm.edu) for more details.

Resources

UVM Plant Diagnostic Clinic

E.E. Cummings Crop Testing Lab

FDA Deoxynivalenol (DON) Guidelines

Seed Disease and Organic Management  

Encyclopedia of Cereal Diseases

Kicking Off Year Two of Our USDA CARE Grant in Hemp Fiber: A Visit to Our Partner Farm

By outcropn

Beginning in the 2023 growing season, the Northwest Crops and Soils team (NWCST) embarked on a three year USDA CARE grant entitled Hemp Fiber: Building Farmer Capacity to Meet the Opportunities and Challenges of a new Market. The grant features 5 research trials on the Borderview Research Farm in Alburgh and one trial at our partner farm owned by bast fiber researcher, artist, and educator Andrea Myklebust of Danby, VT. Last week, NWCST research specialist Laura Sullivan visited Andrea to check in on the trials and collect emergence data in the satellite plots. In partnership with this grant, Andrea will be observing the effects of Harvest Timing on two varieties, while also conducting her own grant-funded research on hemp and flax characteristics.

The plants were roughly two weeks old and 8in tall, with healthy thick stands. Laura and Andrea recorded emergence populations by counting the number of plants in a one foot section of a row, as many as ten times in each plot. All were thriving at the time of data collection, but have since suffered some lodging due to the heavy and persistent rains.

Pictured on left is Andrea’s 2024 fiber research plots. Hemp is situated on the left with flax shown on the right. Pictured on the right are two-week old Tiborszallasi fiber hemp plants growing densely in Danby, VT, June 2024.

They also spent some time processing fiber and ruminating on the impacts of various methods of retting on fiber. The fiber shown below was left out exposed to the elements for the duration of winter, giving a softness not yet seen by the pair in their years of research-grown samples.

Fiber that had been grown in the 2023 season and stored unretted caught the attention of Laura for its golden colored stalks. Many say that fiber, when allowed to sit for months between harvest and processing, will yield a nicer, finer fiber than stalks processed right away. This is something that we will continue to study as the seasons turn and we are able to accumulate material for post-harvest processing experimentation.

On the left Laura holds notably soft fiber that was retted in a combination of ways involving both winter retting and water retting.  On the right is Andrea standing with her unretted and dried fiber grown in the 2023 season.

Also grabbing attention was this netted bag (picture shown above), constructed by Andrea’s daughter Tansy. Tansy utilized hemp from Andrea’s 2023 crop for the netting. Andrea has devoted many years to her craft as a textile expert and educator as well as a bast fiber researcher. Laura was impressed with her ingenuity for creating her own tools from found objects to accomplish her objectives.  The photos below shows a makeshift distaff (tool used for spinning long bast fibers) made from a pitchfork mounted in an umbrella stand. When in use, a spinner pulls fiber from the distaff and feeds it into the spinning wheel (picture on left), and a spinning wheel crafted from a bike tire (picture on right).

Andrea shared that she was inspired to make this spinning wheel when she grew tired of hearing folks who would come to watch her spin at events say things like, “this is how they used to make yarn”. Using a modern material in the spinning wheel has the ability to shatter the perception that no one is doing things like this anymore, or that they don’t have any modern value. Laura and Andrea have been working together to create an archive of handspun samples from each of the various treatments represented in the USDA CARE grant trials. So far they have a complete set from the 2023 Seeding Rate and Harvest Date Trials, making for a one-of-a-kind record of data that will be utilized in determining agronomic best practices for hemo fiber farmers going forward.

If you would like to learn more, don’t miss our upcoming field Day at the Borderview Research Farm in Alburgh on Thursday July 25th 2024. Laura and Andrea are expected to be present and ready to answer all your hemp fiber-related questions. Online registration is at https://go.uvm.edu/2024annualfieldday.

Pictured on the right are yarn samples of each treatment in the 2023 Hemp Fiber Seeding Rate Trial at the Borderview Research Farm in Alburgh, VT. On the left are Laura Sullivan and Andrea Myklebust checking in on the two week old hemp plots at Mountain Heart Farm in Danby Vt. June 2024.

Biosecurity Considerations for Dairy or Livestock Farm Service Providers & Extension Personnel

By outcropn

Prevention of the spread of livestock disease is the responsibility of anyone who works with or on farms.  Be prepared to take the appropriate measures to protect the farms you visit and minimize the risk of introducing disease.

When visiting any livestock farm:

or sanitize boots upon entering the farm premise and when leaving with approved chemicals EPA’s Registered Antimicrobial Products Effective Against Avian Influenza [List M] | US EPA. There are many locations these products can be found including Amazon.com, https://farmerboyag.com, and farm supply stores.

  • Limit farm visits to one farm per day

or wear disposable coveralls or change clothing between visits

  • Avoid cross contamination from traveling between animal feeding areas, feed storage, milking facilities or transfer areas and animal housing
  • Sanitize any sampling equipment upon entering and leaving the farm
  • Park in identified parking areas.  Avoid driving in feeding areas, feed storage areas, milk transfer areas, equipment traffic lanes or animal housing.  Vehicle tires should be clean and free from organic matter.
  • Wear disposable gloves when handling animals, feed or manure.  Wash hands with soap and water.
  • Avoid direct contact with livestock.
  • Make biosecurity practices easy: if you visit farms frequently keep a prepared tote in your vehicle with the supplies that you may need:
    • Clean boots
    • Boot wash bucket or tub and brush
    • Sanitizing chemical for boots and equipment
    • Disposable, single use plastic boot covers
    • Clean clothing, coveralls or disposable coveralls
    • Disposable gloves
    • Hand sanitizer
    • Trash bags
    • Water

When planning for and facilitating on farm events or workshops:

  • Only do so with the owner’s permission and make sure the producer is comfortable with opening their farm to the public.  Consider the risk level of the participant audience for the event:
  • Low risk: event participants present very little risk of introducing disease to the farm because they have no other livestock contact and do not frequently visit farms.
  • Moderate risk: event participants present some risk of introducing disease to the farm because they regularly work on farms but have little to no contact with livestock or feed and follow biosecurity protocols during their farm visits.
  • High risk: event participants present risk of introducing disease to the farm because they are regularly in direct contact with livestock.
    • Communicate with the producer and participants prior to the event about biosecurity measures, protocols and expectations for the event.
  • Provide biosecurity signage to the producer as needed; Establish and communicate boundaries for where participants may and may not have access to on the farm.  Printable signage is available at Biosecurity – National Dairy FARM Program
  • Clearly label or communicate where participants should park.  Avoid vehicles driving in feeding areas, feed storage, milk transfer areas, equipment traffic lanes or animal housing.  All vehicle tires should be clean and free from visible organic matter.
  • Provide disposable, single-use plastic boots for all participants.  Boots should not be removed during the event and should be replaced if they become damaged at any time while in use.
  • Provide waste collection and disposal of used plastic boots upon conclusion of the event.
  • Avoid direct contact between participants and livestock.
  • Provide hand sanitizer or hand washing stations to participants.
  • Avoid participant travel between animal feeding areas, feed storage, milking facilities or transfer areas and animal housing.
  • Be flexible in planning your event and be prepared to cancel if concern or risk increases.
  • Collect contact information for all participants in case follow-up communication is needed.

    •  Additional farm biosecurity resources, training and information:

    Home – Healthy Farms Healthy Agriculture

    Dairy-Cattle-Biosecurity-Recommendations-Influenza-V1.1.pdf (nmpf.org)

    H5N1 in Dairy Cattle – NMPF



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