Oilseeds are crops that may provide avenues for diversification on Vermont farms. They include sunflower, canola, soybean, flax, and hemp. Oil extracted from these crops can be used for on-farm fuel production or culinary uses, while the leftover meal can be used as a high protein livestock feed or soil amendment to boost fertility. An …
Category Archives: Out Croppings
The results are in! 2021 Conventional Soybean Variety Trial
Soybeans can be grown for human consumption, animal feed, and biodiesel production. As farmers look to reduce feed costs or diversify markets, soybean acreage across Vermont is increasing. Local research is needed to identify varieties that are best adapted to this region. In an effort to support and expand the local soybean market throughout the northeast, …
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The results are in! 2021 Organic Corn Silage Variety Trial
The University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops and Soils Program conducted an organic silage corn variety trial in 2021 to provide unbiased performance comparisons of commercially available varieties. To determine varieties that are best suited to this production system and our region’s climate, we evaluated 14 commercially available organic corn silage varieties from 2 companies. …
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Vermont: Is Fiber Hemp the Future?
Written by Laura Sullivan, Founder of Pipedream Hempworks, Research Technician at the University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops and Soils Program. This past growing season we at UVM Extension Northwest Crops and Soils (NWCS) planted 13 fiber and dual-purpose varieties of Hemp at Borderview Research Farm in Alburgh, Vermont as part of our Hemp fiber …
No-Till Training Webinar Series
In 2018, the UVM Extension Northwest Crops and Soils (NWCS) team hosted a No-Till Training Program for Agricultural Technical Service Providers (TSP). This training was created to help foster a stronger working knowledge of no-till equipment, soil health, and technology used to make no-till systems successful, better enabling TSPs to support farms and farm operators …
The Importance of Yeast and Mold Testing in the Hemp Industry
Blog written by Mike Esposito, Lead Scientist, MCR Labs. Producing hemp in the Northeast comes with a unique set of challenges. Irregular weather patterns, large swings in temperature, and the ubiquitous nature of airborne yeast and mold spores coincide to create a perfect storm of microbiological problems for growers working hard all season to cultivate …
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Meet the new Dairy Herd Management Technical Advisor!
My name is Whitney Hull, and I would like to introduce myself as the new UVM Extension Dairy Herd Management Technical Advisor, which is part of the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center. My role is to provide technical assistance to farms that have herd management related concerns. I have been working in the dairy industry …
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Article on Regulations and the Manufacturing of Hemp Products
Curious about the differentiation between hemp and marijuana, specific regulations for manufacturers, and/or important terminology for cannabis? Check out Omar A. Oyarzabal’s recent article titled, ‘Regulations and the Manufacturing of Hemp Products’. Omar is the founder of Safe Food Team, LLC and is also a member of the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods, a Certified Food Safety and Quality Auditor …
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Industrial Hemp Regional Pest Survey Update
For the second year in a row, the UVM Extension, Northwest Crops and Soils Program has been conducting a regional assessment of the disease and insect pests found in industrial hemp throughout New England. Over the last couple of weeks, 10 hemp fields have been scouted from across Vermont and we would love to share a little of what we have been seeing. Depending on the specific location, the …
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Let’s talk soybeans!
Although it hasn’t felt like it, fall is right around the corner. Despite dry conditions through much of the growing season, and still persisting in some regions, soybeans seem to be doing well. Overall, they look tall and healthy with pods filling and not too much disease. Since it will be a while longer until we have all the results from our 2021 trials, here are …