As winter grains start to head out and flower, it’s time to start scouting your fields for Loose smut (Ustilago nuda, U. avenae, U. tritici). Loose smut is found in winter and spring spelt, barley, and wheat, as well as oats. Spelt and barley are particularly susceptible to infection. Loose smut is one of the …
Category Archives: Out Croppings
Now, it has started raining…
After a pretty dry Spring, the rain finally came and has pushed back a lot of our schedules. Hopefully you were able to make the first cut off your hay field, before all of this rain came in. If you haven’t, harvest will be pushed back and by that time the hay will lose up …
Just Drill It
Now that spring is in full swing, corn is going in the ground and farmers are evaluating their pastures and meadowlands. Rumor has it that winter kill was substantial this past winter, and now is the time to mend your pastures and meadows. UVM Extension has 4 drills available for rent throughout the Champlain Valley. …
Please Die Rye
Over these past summer-like days, undoubtedly you’ve seen some rye growth! So now is definitely the time to be thinking about termination. Killing the rye through plow down or herbicides are your options right now. Incorporating a winter rye cover crop in its vegetative stage will result in the quickest nitrogen release to your corn …
Evaluating and Managing Alfalfa Stands for Winter Injury
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 alfalfa. Therefore it is important to assess stands early in the spring and explore your options for managing winter injury. How to Diagnose Winter …
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MILK PRICE PROTECTION FOR THE STATE’S DAIRIES OPENS THIS WEEK
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 during prior sales …
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Winter Spreading Ban Lifted
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 …
Frost Seeding: A Cheap Alternative to Improve Pasture and Hayland
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.
Key Crop Insurance Dates Just In for 2012
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.
Organic Farming Symposium
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 of this country’s most respected institutions, on-farm …
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