A UVM blog Outcroppings: Important crop news from the field!

By Amber Machia

The mission of the Tri-State Extension Dairy Team is to unite Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont in advancing dairy management through collaborative educational programs, addressing shared industry challenges, and fostering innovation across northern New England.  Since January 2025, the team has been hosting live monthly webinars on the last Wednesday of each month from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM.  Sessions have focused on current dairy research and program updates, including interviews, presentations, and roundtable discussions.  All recorded sessions are available to watch on the UVM Extension Northwest Crops & Soils  YouTube Channel.

Milk Quality Management

In September, the Tri-State Extension Dairy Team hosted a webinar focusing on Milk Quality Management in the Northeast.  The session featured Dr. Paul Virkler from Cornell Quality Milk Production Services (QMPS).  Dr. Virkler shared his approach to evaluating milk quality challenges on farms and identified three areas of risk when it comes to managing for milk quality: transition cow management, milking procedure and teat health, and bedding management.

1. Transition Cow Management

The greatest risk of new infections occurs immediately after dry-off and again around calving (Figure 1). Bacteria can be introduced through improper administration of dry cow therapy or teat sealants. Factors such as the cleanliness of the dry-off environment, cow preparation (complete milk-out, low-stress handling, and overall comfort), as well as employee training, adherence to protocols, and ongoing monitoring all influence infection risk. Additionally, drying off and freshening often result in wetter stall conditions, making regular scraping and bedding redistribution for dry cow stalls, calving areas, and fresh cow pens essential for mastitis prevention.

2. Milking Procedure & Teat Health

Research from both Michigan State University and Cornell shows that farms lose milk when cows have poor let down or when milk let down is not effectively captured during the milking procedure.  Poorly timed milking routine may contribute to both poor milk let down and higher risk of teat damage.  There are three critical parts of the milking routine that should be regularly evaluated: 

• Pre-dip contact time should be a minimum of 30 seconds.
• Udder stimulation and/or fore stripping should last 5-10 seconds or more and result in 3-4 streams of milk from each quarter.
• Lag time from start of stimulation to unit attachment should be 90-180 seconds. These benchmarks can be evaluated during a parlor audit.  If parlor data is available, the value for 2-minute milk (the pounds of milk within the first two minutes of milking) should be >18lbs for herds that milk twice and greater than 15lbs for herds that milk 3 times. 

Poor function of claw vacuum, pulsation, or take off settings can often contribute to teat injuries and inconsistent milking.  These should be evaluated and addressed on a routine basis. Post dip emollients can be used to support healthy teat skin condition.

3. Bedding management

Routine bedding management is the backbone of milk quality and needs to be adaptive to match changing bedding needs.  Bedding levels must be adequate to absorb moisture so that pools of milk, urine, and feces do not accumulate in stalls.  Stall size and brisket pipe must allow for a good lying position so that manure falls into the alley instead of onto the stall surface. Bedding quality in terms of bacterial load directly impacts bulk tank Somatic Cell Count (SCC) and new infection rate.

Dr. Virkler shared a valuable online resource with user-friendly, step-by-step, image-based protocols for collecting milk samples, treating cows at dry off, administering teat sealants, and more.  Access it here.

To learn more about Dr. Virkler’s approach to troubleshooting high bulk tank Somatic Cell Counts (hint: prevention is key) and to access the full recording of this webinar and all other webinars in this series, click here.  Register for upcoming Tri-State Dairy Exchange webinars here.

Written by Amber Machia

Updated Information about Funding Opportunities for Dairy and Crop Operations

Alternative funding streams have become important to Vermont dairy operations, often supporting access to technology, improvements to equipment or infrastructure, or opportunities to diversify.  Given the volatility of the milk market, every dollar counts.  Competitive grants and programs available in the Northeast may assist in improving environmental outcomes – especially water quality, support animal wellbeing and comfort improvements, or help to upgrade out-of-date systems. Navigating the organizations that facilitate these funding opportunities – as well as the guidelines and applications associated with them – can be a challenge.  We have recently updated our Funding Opportunities for Dairy & Crop Operations resource to help address this challenge.  View individual funding opportunity details “at-a-glance” and check out the clickable links to learn more about organizations that offer business support, competitive grants, or other programs.

Current and Upcoming Funding Opportunities

Currently, the Vermont Agency of Agriculture Food and Markets is accepting applications for the Capital Equipment Assistance Program (CEAP) for equipment used for precision agriculture, conservation tillage, cover cropping, waste management or feed management to improve water quality.  In October, the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center will begin accepting applications for the Dairy Farm Improvement & Modernization Grant, and the Working Lands Enterprise Initiative will begin accepting applications for the Business Enhancement Grant.  These applications are no small lift and require time, energy, quotes, and letters of support.

For more information or assistance with identifying which funding opportunities might be a good fit for you, contact Amber Machia at amber.machia@uvm.edu.

Written by Heather Darby

Timely harvest of corn silage is one of the most critical factors affecting forage quality. To ensure maximum yields of dry matter, nutrients per acre, palatability, intake, and minimize storage losses corn should be harvested at 35-30 % dry matter. In most years, an early planting date and proper hybrid selection will allow for a timely harvest in the fall before freezing weather occurs. However, in some years like 2025 in which corn planting was delayed due to extremely wet weather, much of the corn in Vermont ends up still too immature going into the fall. The following article provides some suggestions in dealing with immature and frost damaged corn when chopped for silage.

When should immature corn be harvested?

After frost, immature corn will most likely be too low in dry matter content (high in moisture) for direct chopping. If possible, harvesting should be delayed until the plant is below 30 % dry matter. Harvesting the plant at low dry matter content will alter fermentation, increase silage runoff, and could potentially decrease feed intake. To avoid seepage losses and risk of undesirable fermentation, it will be necessary to allow the immature crop to stand in the field for several days following a frost for further drying.

Determining the moisture content of the crop after it is frosted can be tricky. After the plant is frosted, the leaves turn brown and give the appearance of rapid dry down. However, since most of the moisture is in the stalk and ear the plant will be at a lower dry matter than it appears. Most experienced farmers can estimate moisture contents for normal maturity crops but will likely underestimate the moisture content of an immature crop. Remember frozen immature corn will not dry down any faster than unfrozen corn. The only sure method to determine dry matter is to chop a small amount of the crop with the chopper and obtain a moisture determination (microwave method or Koster Tester) to know when the crop is nearing the desired 35 – 30 % dry matter. As a rule of thumb, whole plant moisture normally decreases by 0.5 % per day. Plant material of 30 % or slightly higher dry matter can be more effectively stored in a horizontal bunker or stack without excessive seepage losses than in an upright silo structure.

Under the best of conditions, preservatives and inoculants are generally not necessary for corn silage, however, this is a year to consider their use. Be sure and use proven products and follow the manufacturer’s directions.

How to store immature silage

Silage management practices are critical to harvesting and storing immature corn. Packing, covering, and particle size guidelines used in harvesting normal corn silage should be followed for immature corn silage. If possible, store immature corn separately from high quality corn silage. Very immature corn silage should be fed to animals with lower nutrient requirements.

Immature corn silage as a feed

Immature corn silage is a unique feed. Not surprisingly, immature corn can be expected to yield less silage. If the corn is at the dough stage it generally has anywhere from 65 – 85 % of normal silage yield. Slightly immature, frost damaged corn that has dented can still make good quality corn silage. As shown in Table 1, while yield is compromised the overall energy content is similar to more mature corn silage with kernels containing normal starch fill.

The decline in energy of slightly immature corn is not as great as one might expect because the stalk ADF and NDF is more available. The fiber (ADF and NDF) content of the plant will be higher but less lignified and therefore more digestible than in mature silage. In addition, the kernel texture and starch will be softer and more digestible. However, starch levels are likely to be lower.

After frost, if the leaf material is dead but the stalk and roots remain alive, there is a chance nitrates will accumulate in the lower stalk. Drought and frost stress combined increases the risk of nitrates accumulating in the corn. This can make the resulting silage dangerous for livestock. Increasing the cutting height will lower dry matter but increase silage quality since the lower stalk has the lowest digestibility and highest nitrate levels. To further manage this risk, ensile the crop for at least 21 days to reduce nitrate levels by 40-60% and test the silage for nitrates before feeding.

Field losses will increase with time, so producers need to balance harvest losses against fermentation loss and quality problems associated with wet silage. It will be essential to test forage made from immature corn as there will be a large variation from the nutrient content that might be expected. If you are going to feed a significant amount of this type of silage to lactating cows, it is worthwhile to obtain a fermentation analysis that includes silage pH, ammonia, titratable acidity, lactic, acetic, proprionic, butyric and isobutyric acids. Working closely with your nutritionist will help you develop the most useful rations with immature corn silage.

If you have questions or concerns about your corn, please contact the Northwest Crops and Soils office by calling (802) 656-7611 or emailing susan.brouillette@uvm.edu.

Written by Amber Machia

The mission of the Tri-State Extension Dairy Team is to unite Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont in advancing dairy management through collaborative educational programs, addressing shared industry challenges, and fostering innovation across northern New England. Since January 2025, the team has been hosting live monthly webinars on the last Wednesday of each month from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM. Sessions have focused on current dairy research and program updates, including interviews, presentations, and roundtable discussions. All recorded sessions are available to watch on the UVM Extension Northwest Crops & Soils YouTube Channel.

In August, the Tri-State Extension Dairy Team hosted a webinar on calf and heifer management practices in New England. The session featured Dr. Glenda Pereira, University of Maine Extension, and Sarah Allen, University of New Hampshire Extension, who shared strategies to improve calf health, growth, and long-term productivity. Their discussion highlighted four critical areas that determine success: maternity management, colostrum, nutrition and feeding, and environment. The ultimate goal is to raise calves that grow steadily and enter the milking herd at two years of age.

1.  Maternity & Dry Period: 70% of fetal growth occurs in the final trimester of pregnancy. Minimizing stressors – especially heat stress – reduces the risk of low birthweight and poor immunity. Nutritional support during the transition period can improve calf outcomes. Farm specific transition cow vaccination programs support antibody transfer through colostrum.
2. Colostrum Management – “The 3 Q’s + C”- Quantity: Feed ≥10% of calf bodyweight in colostrum.- Quality: At least 50 g/L IgG; test with a refractometer. Thaw frozen colostrum below 140°F to protect proteins.– Quickness: Feed within 2–4 hours after birth for maximum antibody absorption.- Cleanliness: Establish good protocols for sanitizing feeding equipment. Verify with an ATP meter to monitor organic matter levels on surfaces.
3. Early Life Nutrition & Feeding: Pre-weaned calves should consume 10–20% of bodyweight daily. Calf starter with 18–26% crude protein promotes the fermentation process which produces volatile fatty acids, driving papillae growth and rumen development. By weaning, calves should double birthweight and eat at least 2 lbs. of starter daily.
4. Environment: Calves thrive in dry, clean, well-ventilated housing. Proper bedding, airflow, and hygiene reduce pathogen load and stress, supporting health and growth.

Heifer growth targets are farm specific.  Generally, heifers should be 55% of mature bodyweight at first conception and 85% of mature bodyweight at first calving.

Glenda & Sarah’s Colostrum Quality & Management Bulletin is accessible here.

To learn more about the calf and heifer management cohort project in New Hampshire and Maine and to access the full recording of this webinar and all other webinars in the series click here.  Register for upcoming Tri-State Dairy Exchange webinars here.

Written by Jeff Sanders

Vermont’s 2025 drought has pushed farmers to their limits, with the U.S. Drought Monitor reporting 100% of the state under drought conditions as of September 16, including 78% in severe drought (D2) and 2% in extreme drought (D3)—the worst since 2000. Rainfall through August averages just 18.5 inches statewide, a stark 11-inch deficit compared to the 30-year average of 29.7 inches. The two-week forecast offers little relief, with scattered showers possible over the next 10-14 days—chances of 30-70% on select days, but totals likely under 0.25 inches in many areas, insufficient to ease drought stress significantly. This scarcity of water strains everything, making soil health practices like cover cropping critical yet challenging. The seed will only germinate when sufficient moisture arrives. 

The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM) acknowledges these tough conditions but maintains its Farm Agronomic Practice (FAP) Program deadlines: broadcast cover crops by October 1, drilled or incorporated by October 10, with earlier planting strongly encouraged. FAP grants require “adequate soil coverage,” and VAAFM stresses that cover crops must grow to be effective. Farmers should only plant if growth is reasonably likely, meaning there’s a realistic chance—based on soil moisture, weather forecasts, and proper seed-to-soil contact—that crops like rye or wheat will germinate and establish before winter. Fields lacking coverage may be denied funding, but VAAFM will evaluate growth statewide, considering this year’s low soil moisture, and may re-inspect fields later to allow establishment before final decisions. 

Cover crops like rye or wheat remain vital, enhancing soil structure and boosting water retention by 20-30%. Good seed-to-soil contact is key for germination, especially in dry soils, with wheat and rye needing 0.5–1 inch of topsoil water to sprout. UVM Extension trials in 2023 showed cover-cropped fields retained 15-25% more moisture, critical for drought resilience. Cover crops also add organic matter, curb erosion, and prevent nutrient loss, aiding soil recovery. 

Vermont farmers are resilient, and VAAFM’s FAP support—$45/acre for drilled/incorporated cover crops—can help. Ensure timely planting with careful attention to soil moisture to meet FAP standards. How are you navigating cover cropping this fall? Share your strategies or questions with us in the comments. Please contact Heather Darby at heather.darby@uvm.edu or Jeff Sanders at jeffrey.sanders@uvm.edu if you have questions or concerns.

Written by Elizabeth Seyler

“What corn variety grows best in my soil type?” “What cover crop would help me meet my conservation goals?” “Does this new fertilizer improve yields?” Vermont farmers are committed to land stewardship practices that protect soil and water quality, and they’re constantly gauging how to invest time and money in crops, technology, equipment, and management practices to grow food and fiber.

To answer their questions, many rely on research-based results and guidance from technical service providers such as Extension, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Natural Resources Conservation Districts (NRCD), and consultants. But research studies are rarely conducted in fields with the same conditions and pests as farmers’ own.

That’s where Vermont’s On-Farm Research Network (OFRN) can help. It will be a free online tool to help farmers conduct experiments in their own fields to generate results they can use. OFRN will support a form of research called participatory action research (PAR), which emphasizes participation and action by members of communities affected by that research. It will streamline the PAR process to make it accessible and inviting to farmers.

Adaptation has always been part of farming, but increasingly unpredictable and extreme weather due to global warming is forcing farmers to adjust their management practices more quickly and frequently. OFRN will provide geographically relevant, management-specific data to help farmers improve crop yield, crop quality, farm resilience, land stewardship, and more. It will give farmers access to data they need to adapt to rapidly shifting conditions.

OFRN will also benefit researchers. It will reduce outreach burnout by giving them access to a network of farmers seeking to engage in on-farm research.

Vermont’s On-Farm Research Network

Members of UVM Extension’s Northwest Crops and Soils Program (NWCS) are leading creation of Vermont’s OFRN. Many top agricultural universities have similar networks and resources, such as the Nebraska On-Farm Research Network and its FarmStat online tool.

AgConnect Portal for Farmers

UVM Extension’s NWCS team is collaborating with farmer groups, researchers and software developers to create the AgConnect portal for farmers. It will invite them to suggest on-farm experiments that address their pressing questions and/or join newly designed experiments.

AgConnect Portal for Researchers

Researchers will use the AgConnect experiment management portal to recruit for, design, monitor, report on, and share results of on-farm experiments. The portal’s user-friendly design will help researchers create clear instructions for data collection, ensuring that results are useful and consistent across experiments.

AgConnect Research Database

Farmers, researchers, industry stakeholders, and policymakers want easy access to research results to help them synthesize information and to inform decision making. These data are currently available in many forms—such as reports, presentations, and fact sheets—at numerous online and physical locations. Tracking down studies relevant to specific locales and farming practices can be daunting. OFRN changes that.

The AgConnect completed research database will be a free, searchable, open-source repository of past and current research conducted on working farms and research farms. It will provide a place to store and retrieve results, accessible to anyone. The OFRN team will keep adding research results, expanding the scope of the database over time.

User Support

UVM Extension’s NWCS team will be available to support farmers and researchers at every step, from joining AgConnect to conducting an on-farm experiment to collecting data and interpreting the results.

Collaborating To Create OFRN and AgConnect

In early January 2025, UVM Extension’s NWCS team began collaborating with individual farmers, farmer groups, other UVM researchers, industry stakeholders, and policy makers to creat OFRN and design AgConnect. The NWCS team is particularly pleased to be partnering with two farmer organizations: the Franklin & Grand Isle Farmer’s Watershed Alliance (FWA) and the Connecticut River Watershed Farmers Alliance (CRWFA). Both organizations’ members are Vermont farmers whose products include vegetables, livestock, dairy, and specialty crops. In July, they and others participated in several focus groups and provided feedback to make AgConnect more user-friendly and useful.

Since the project’s inception, the NWCS team has also been working closely with Data Scientist Chris Donovan of the Food Systems Research Institute at UVM and with Vermont company GameTheory on tool features and design.

How To Get Involved

Are you a Vermont farmer interested in addressing questions through on-farm research? Are you a researcher or technical assistance provider seeking farmers to participate in on-farm research? OFRN can help. To stay updated, visit the NWCS website, subscribe to our monthly email newsletter, and follow us on social media.

We seek farmers and researchers to test all facets of AgConnect. Interested in joining a focus group and giving feedback? Contact UVM Extension Outreach Specialist Shannon MacDonald at Shannon.Macdonald@uvm.edu. Tell her who you are and how you’d like to participate. She’ll put you in touch with the right person.

Funding

Creation of the On-farm Research Network and AgConnect is made possible with funding from the Leahy Institute for Rural Partnerships and the Food Systems Research Institute at UVM.

Written by Amber Machia

The mission of the Tri-State Extension Dairy Team is to unite Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont in advancing dairy management through collaborative educational programs, addressing shared industry challenges, and fostering innovation across northern New England.  Since January 2025, the team has been hosting live monthly webinars on the last Wednesday of each month from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM.  Sessions have focused on current dairy research and program updates, including interviews, presentations, and roundtable discussions.  All recorded sessions are available to watch on the UVM Extension Northwest Crops & Soils  YouTube Channel.

In July, the Tri-State Extension Dairy team hosted a webinar focused on rumen biochemistry and function of dairy cattle with guest independent nutrition consultant, Kurt Cotanch. 

Kurt believes that “our job in feeding dairy cattle is to facilitate microbial growth.” Microbial fermentation produces volatile fatty acids (butyrate, propionate, and acetate) and hydrogen. The cow needs these metabolites to produce milk as well as support muscle and body condition and reproductive function – including fetal growth.

Dairy rations supply nutrients in the form of sugars, starches, and fiber.  Sugars are fermented into butyrate, which is utilized by the rumen epithelium and by the cow as an energy source.  Starches are fermented into propionate, which is utilized in the liver to produce blood glucose through the process of gluconeogenesis.  Fiber fractions are fermented into acetate, which is a precursor for milkfat production.  The quality, digestibility, nutrient profile, and fermentation status of the feed ingredients (including forage sources) being fed dictates the proportions of volatile fatty acids produced by the rumen microbes.

Milk is 4.7% lactose, which is a sugar. Therefore, a cow making 85lbs of milk per day is actually producing about 4lbs of sugar per day.  Blood glucose made in the liver during gluconeogenesis is then used not only to make lactose, but is also used for red blood cell production, mammary tissue production, and by the cow’s immune system.  Activated immune systems get priority use of blood glucose, meaning cows experiencing stress and reduced feed intake will revert to mobilizing nutrients from muscle and adipose for energy, which further stresses the system.  This explains why a cow can tolerate heat stress, overcrowding stress, or even illness for a short period of time before production will drop noticeably. 

Rumen fill and flow are determined by fiber fractions, which are in turn determined by forage maturity stage at harvest.  Pasture and less mature forages have a faster passage rate and are more digestible.  More mature forages pass through the rumen more slowly and take longer to digest.  Diets that are high in fast fiber may pass through the cow without getting fully digested.  Diets that are high in slow fiber pass through the cow more slowly, which may hinder intake.

Rations that provide nutrient synchrony by supplying the right amino acid profile, fiber fractions, and carbohydrates allow cows to maximize production efficiency.  Nutrients fed above animal requirements, particularly nitrogen sources, utilize extra energy to expel excess nutrients in the form of urinary nitrogen and milk urea nitrogen (MUN).  Milk components, including fat and protein percentages and ratios, milk fatty acid profiles, and MUNs, can all be used to assess and troubleshoot rumen function and nutrient efficiency.

Click here to access the full recording of this webinar and all other webinars in this series. Register for upcoming Tri-State Dairy Exchange webinars here.

Written by Kellie Damann

In the spring of 2025 UVM Extension Northwest Crops and Soils Program (NWCS) sent a call out to organic dry bean growers in the Northeastern U.S. to send in seed samples for evaluation of seed health and seedborne pathogens. Growers in the Northeast have indicated sourcing quality seed and a lack in pest management practices are significant barriers to dry bean production in the region. This project was designed to start addressing these concerns and identify what seedborne pathogens exist in the seed lots across the Northeast.

The majority of dry bean production in this region is certified organic, with many farmers choosing to save their own seed. This decision is driven in part by the lack of seed sources for heirloom and specialty dry bean varieties that consumers prefer. It is critical for dry bean growers to plant disease-free seed as other disease management options are often limited in organic production systems. Planting clean seed reduces the risk of a disease outbreak during the season that could decrease yields. As growers continue to save their seed for planting from year-to-year the risk of seedborne pathogen build up can increase (Image 1).

The UVM NWCS Team and the UVM Plant Diagnostic Clinic (PDC) teamed up to find out what major seedborne pathogens are targeting organic dry bean production in this region. This survey will lay the foreground for further research into dry bean disease management practices. In this survey, the team received 25 samples from ME, NY, and VT. Over 50% of the samples submitted were from saved seed lots. These samples represented 8 different market classes and 17 different varieties.

The PDC used modified ISTA methods to identify nine different fungal pathogens including Alternaria, Cercospora, Ascochyta, Fusarium, Macrophomina, Rhizoctonia, Sclerotinia, Tricothecium, and Colletotrichum (Image 2). As well as bacterial pathogens including Pseudomonas savastanoi pv. phaseolicola, P. syringae pv. syringae (halo blight), Xanthomonas citri pv. fuscans (Xcf), and X. phaseoli pv. phaseoli (Xpp, common bean blight) (Image 3). Secondary molds including yeasts, Cladosporium, Penicillium, Rhizopus, and Aspergillus, were also evaluated in this survey. The results from the 2025 Seedborne Pathogen Survey Summarized Report can be found here.

Seed Health Results

Germination was assessed using 200 seeds per sample. The germination ranged from 0 to 98% among the 25 samples with an average germination of 66%. The seed vigor test evaluated 100 seeds per sample, measuring the total growth from the seed in centimeters after a 7-day incubation period. Having a higher seed vigor index value indicates quicker development and emergence leading to a more uniform stand. The Seed Vigor Index ranged from 0 to 528 among the 25 samples submitted with an average Seed Vigor Index of 166. 

Each sample submitted had fungal or bacterial pathogens observed in the seed lots. The most common diseases present in this survey were common bacterial blight (80%) and halo blight (60%). Although fungal pathogens were not observed in high numbers compared to the bacterial pathogens, they can still pose a threat. Fields should be regularly scouted to monitor the various diseases associated with these pathogens. The PDC and NWCS team put together the Growers Guide to Seedborne Diseases of Dry Beans to provide growers guidance for identifying these diseases in the field and what the current management strategies are out there.  

For more information regarding dry beans please visit the NWCS website. The summarized report for this survey can be found on both the NWCS website or the Northern Grain Growers Collaborative website. 

Written by Shannon MacDonald

“I come because I want to be with other people who want to learn about agriculture. We want to make Vermont and Vermont agriculture the best that’s possible for a long time,” said one local farmer, explaining why he attends the UVM Extension Annual Crops & Soils Field Day.

On July 24, 2025, Borderview Research Farm in Alburgh, Vermont, buzzed with energy and excitement as more than 200 farmers, conservationists, researchers, scientists, educators, agronomists, service providers, and community members gathered to learn and connect. Among them was Dr. Linda Prokopy, the new dean of UVM’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, who enjoyed her first Crops and Soils Field Day, calling it “an event to learn all things farming!”  

This year marked the 18th Annual Crops & Soils Field Day. The first one took place a few years after UVM Extension Professor Heather Darby, an agronomist and soil scientist, joined the Northwest Crops and Soils (NWCS) Program. The field day has grown into the program’s largest outreach event of the year, consistently drawing more than 200 attendees. Roger and Claire Rainville own Borderview Research Farm and have generously hosted Dr. Darby’s research there for the past 20 years. The annual field day and all NWCS research wouldn’t be possible without their dedication to agriculture, farming, and innovation. Thank you, Roger and Claire! 

Upon arrival, guests warmly greeted one another. Because the growing season is the busiest time of year for farmers, field days are an important opportunity to reconnect! The fact that so many farmers took time away from their fields to learn from Dr. Darby and the whole research team shows the value this event holds for them.  

The day began with a welcome message from Dr. Darby, and then everyone headed out into the fields for the farm tour. The first stop was at the newly constructed hoop house, where lettuce, tomatoes, and broccoli are grown for the Organic Seed Production Research on Economics and Yield project. Folks gathered around Dr. Darby and her team of researchers as they shared updates about ongoing projects and introduced new projects, such as the software that is currently in development for Vermont’s On-Farm Research Network.  

The tour covered a wide range of topics, from aerial drones to neonicotinoid research. At each stop, NWCS staff not only explained their research but also invited questions, hands-on demonstrations, and lively discussions, making complex agricultural science accessible to all who attended. 

“I’ve come here for events before, but having an event that’s focused on exploring exactly what each project is about and breaking down why the research is being done and its applications in the real world has been really awesome,” said Morgan Pratt, Natural Resource Conservation District Agricultural Programs Specialist. 

After a catered lunch, guests could choose from six breakout sessions, presented by UVM staff and special guests.  One such guest was Quebec soil and water conservation expert Odette Menard, who returned by popular demand after her presentation at the 2025 No-Till and Cover Crop Conference. Her session on soil profiles and compaction was informative, engaging, and surprising! She shared practical insights, such as how adjusting tractor tire pressure can help minimize soil compaction, and introduced C.R.O.P.—cover, porosity, oxygen, and roots—an acronym she uses to remember the key factors for maintaining healthy soils. Odette’s presentations always strike the perfect balance between knowledge and humor, and attendees left her session with fresh ideas and practical strategies to implement on their farms. 

Under the tent, Roy Desrocher of the NWCS team led the honey Sensory Taste Session. During this session, guests tasted honey samples, and Roy helped them identify different and off-flavors. Once the group identified the flavors, Roy used his knowledge to explain where in the honey-making process these flavors may have developed. Honey can have different floral tastes depending on the source of the pollen. Off-flavors can develop if there are issues with packaging, storage, or transportation.  

Inside the barn, Laura Sullivan of the NWCS team demonstrated how she has been using the hemp fiber hackler to process winter- and field-retted hemp. This hackler, a long-fiber processing machine, is the only one in the United States. Laura also showed six wool-hemp yarn prototypes developed in collaboration with Battenkill Fibers in Greenwich, New York. Some of these yarns will be used for clothing, and she is working with Muriel’s of Vermont to create wearable items. Laura and the NWCS team are working to expand our understanding of how to use alternative and natural fibers to make more sustainable products.  

Near the strawberry crop, Ann Hazelrigg, Giovanna Sassi, and Olivia Rist from the UVM Plant Diagnostic Clinic, and Kellie Damann of NWCS hosted the session on Integrated Pest Management Strategies for Field Crops. They chronicled the strawberry pest and disease research trials at Borderview and on many farms across the state. They explained what to look for when scouting for disease and insects in the field. They also presented seed testing disease data from 2024-2025 steam or ozone treatment trials on hemp and grains. Results and conclusions from these trials will be released soon. Make sure to keep checking our website, social media, and monthly newsletter for updates! 

John Bruce of the NWCS team and Crystal Stewart-Courtens of Cornell University led a session on organic seed production and seed cleaning. John is leading a trial investigating organic vegetable seed production, and he demonstrated the seed collection process. Crystal showed how to use the mobile seed cleaner, which contains a Winnow Wizard, a small-scale thresher, hand screens, and other tools for small-scale seed cleaning. 

Amber Machia of NWCS and Kurt Cotanch, an independent dairy consultant, threw the Preservation Party.  This session was all about fermentation fun! Guests learned about best practices for ensuring high feed quality, including tips on production, storage, and the characteristics of good feed. This session is part of a larger project to educate Vermonters about silage and feed quality. 

 Dr. Linda Prokopy, dean of CALS at UVM, feels that on-farm field days are “…so important! For farmers to be able to come out and see different practices being trialed, hear from scientists, and talk to other farmers- it’s really a great event.” Gatherings such as the Annual Crops & Soils Field Day exemplify why the NWCS team conducts research. We love helping Vermont agriculture! We are so thankful that we get to continue to conduct and share our work with you all. Thank you again for your continued support. We can’t wait to see you next year! 

Written by Hillary Emick and John Bruce

Preliminary Results 

It is already time to get ready for planting winter wheat. Each year, UVM Extension evaluates winter wheat varieties to determine those that will perform best here in Vermont. This year, the project evaluated 44 varieties of winter wheat, including six varieties of soft white winter wheat, two varieties of hard white winter wheat, nine varieties of soft red winter wheat, and twenty-seven varieties of hard red winter wheat. This year brought some cold and wet weather during the spring; however, hot and dry weather helped to bring a high-quality crop to harvest. Preliminary yield and quality results are shown in Table 1.

Height

The tallest variety was Sirvinta at 138 cm. Height can be advantageous to wheat in weed competition, but sometimes very tall varieties are prone to lodging. This year Sirvinta had no lodging, similar to eighteen other varieties with no lodging. The variety with the most lodging was Genessee Giant, with 76.7% lodging. 

Test Weight

Test weight is the measure of grain density, which is determined by weighing a known volume of grain. Industry standard for wheat is 56-60 lbs bu^-1. Over 60% of the varieties met the industry standard for test weight. The variety with the highest test weight was Viking 211 at 60.5 lbs bu^-1. 

Yield

More than half of the varieties had yields over two tons per acre (adjusted to 13.5% moisture content). The highest yielding variety was Blue River 844 with a yield of 6236 lbs ac^-1. The varieties IL16-8048 and IL17-23874 also yielded over 3 tons per acre (6100 and 6108 lbs ac^-1 respectively). 

Crude Protein

The ideal range for bread wheat is 12-15% crude protein, though some artisan bread bakers have found success working with wheat in the 10-12% range, depending on the end-product. There were 13 varieties were within the ideal range for protein: Erisman, IL16-8048, Genessee Giant, ARS18W0682, VA16HRW-22, Arapahoe, Gold Coin, Brome, AC Morley, Turkey Red, Rouge d’Ecosse, Champlain and Redeemer. Redeemer had the highest protein concentration at 13.6%. Only five varieties were below the minimum of 10% protein (Blue River 844, NY12512-1542, IL17-23874, Towpath, and NY12325).

Please visit our website to view past year trial results.