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

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The NOVUS C.O.W.S. Program – A Tool for Making Progress

By outcropn

It’s no secret that dairy production and management are constantly evolving systems.  The day-to-day chores of milking, feeding, cleaning and the fixing of all things that break may sometimes feel redundant.  The long term and big picture of these tasks is that we can always do better – make improvements to save money, save time, save labor, improve cow health, increase milk production and quality – make progress. Sometimes challenging aspects of the business are projects that are easy to spot and prioritize.  Sometimes the list is long and it’s impossible to find a starting point.  We can help.

NOVUS International is an animal nutrition company with the mission to “inspire every animal producer and owner on the planet. As relentless advocates for intelligent nutrition, [they] deliver advanced technology, rooted in scientific research designed to help their animals reach their full potential.”  If you are a dairy producer in the Northeast (and beyond) working with a nutritionist to feed your cows, it is likely that you feed one of the NOVUS mineral products developed to enhance immune function, reproductive performance, milk yield and components, or hoof health.  Including NOVUS mineral packages in your ration makes you eligible for the NOVUS C.O.W.S. Program.

The C.O.W.S. Program began as a grad student project and has evolved into a detailed farm assessment done by a highly skilled team of technicians with access to a database of benchmark information collected from thousands of dairy operations and all the relevant research. 

How it works: The team conducts a detailed on-farm evaluation which includes completing a questionnaire with the farm manager to help identify areas of concern, collects cow side data, records observations, and takes facility measurements.  Evaluations may include:

  • Locomotion, hock, manure, and/or body condition scoring
  • Attaching loggers to a representative sample of cows to monitor and record time budget information
  • Temperature, humidity and air flow data collection to assess heat stress
  • Stall usage, measurements and bedding assessment
  • Stocking density evaluation for feed bunk space, stall and water access
Cows with loggers attached to their legs with vet wrap.  The loggers stay on for 5-7 days and records bout length and time spent standing or lying down.

After processing all the information, the team builds a customized report for the farm which includes benchmark comparisons to similar operations according to location, size, production and facility type.  The NOVUS team then coordinates an in-person meeting to review the report with the farm’s team – managers, owners, stockholders, veterinarians, nutritionists, hoof trimmers, and technical assistance providers.  Anyone who is invested in the farm’s success can be at the table.  The meeting is a conversation that produces an action plan of do-able solutions and identifies short- and long-term goals.

The NOVUS C.O.W.S.  Program is available free of charge to eligible farms.  If this sounds like the next right step for your operation, inquire with your nutritionist or reach out to UVM Extension Northwest Crops and Soils Dairy Research Specialist Amber Machia (amber.machia@uvm.edu or 802-355-2653).

More information about the NOVUS C.O.W.S. program is available on their website C.O.W.S. Program | Novus International, Inc. or https://www.novusint.com/services/cows/

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

By outcropn

Foliar diseases in cereal grains are important to pay attention to as they can suppress photosynthetic mechanisms which are needed to produce a healthy grain head. Foliar diseases can lead to reduced vigor, growth, and yield. If your grain is infected earlier in the season there is a greater chance of yield loss, if favorable conditions remain.

Common Foliar Diseases of Grain

Septoria Leaf Blotch (SLB)

Affected Crops: Wheat, Barley, Rye

Septoria Leaf Blotch (Parastagonospora nodorum) infects mature leaves starting at the midrib. Symptoms appear as small necrotic spots and coalesce into brown oval lesions, surrounded by a yellow halo. As the lesion develops black pin-head structures (Pycnidia) can be seen which hold white to pinkish asexual spores. SLB infection increases as temperatures raise between 68-80 F and high humidity holds for long periods of time. Rain is essential for spore dispersal. Infection which occurs on the ear can lead to Glume blotch and cause infection to kernels.

Tan Spot

Affected Crops: Wheat, Barley, Rye

Tan Spot (Pyrenophora tritici-repentis) can be confused with SLB infection, spore identification is needed for the correct diagnosis. Tan Spot lesions develop in the mid to upper canopy and form lens-shaped necrotic lesions with a yellow halo. Once wet, the lesion darkens and produces olive-brown spores. The disease develops in a wide range of temperatures but prefers 60-82 F with long periods of moisture. Late season infection can cause bleaching on the grain spikes, along with the browning of glumes and kernels turning a red to pink hue.  

Barley Yellow Dwarf (BYD)

Affected Crops: Wheat, Barley, Oats, Rye, Triticale

BYD is a viral disease which is transmitted by aphid feeding. The tips of leaves tend to have a yellow or red discoloration, which can resemble a flame. Plants infected with BYD may be stunted. This virus is usually seen in patches among a field, but the size and distribution are dependent on the aphid’s activity. Be sure to monitor your fields for aphids to reduce the risk of having BYD transmitted to your crop.

Powdery Mildew (PM)

Affected Crops: Wheat, Barley, Oats, Rye, Triticale

Powdery mildew (Blumeria graminis) prefers cooler conditions between 60-72 F with high humidity, 80% or higher. White, cottony fungal growth can be noticed on the upper surface of the leaf while the underside is yellow. As it matures, dark reproductive structures will form on the leaf surface. Plants can be more susceptible at times of rapid growth or after nitrogen application.

Leaf Rust

Affected Crops: Most common wheat, but can affect barley, rye, and triticale

Leaf rust (Puccinia triticina) appears as small, orange-brown or reddish-brown lesions on the leaf surface, it can be found on the leaf sheath during periods of high infection. Leaf rust is common and can occur more frequently when temperatures are mild, between 59-77 F. Most often, leaf rust can overwinter on early drilled crops or previously infected volunteer plants.

Management

It is important to scout fields for signs of diseases or insects often, so you can manage risk properly. For many of these diseases managing a good crop rotation with non-host crops, weed and volunteer control, and not overapplying nitrogen may help reduce the risk of an outbreak.

For more information and resources check out UVM Extension NW Crops and Soils Program- Grain Information

All photo credits: Bugwood.org

The Effect of Edge-spraying a Broad-spectrum Insecticide to Control Hop Arthropod Pests while Retaining Beneficial Arthropods

By outcropn

Aroostook Hops, Westfield, ME

Project Summary (full report available at www.aroostookhops.com)

The purpose of this project was to determine if a broad-spectrum OMRI-certified insecticide can be used to control major pests of hops (including leafhoppers) to increase hop productivity without creating other pest management challenges or a reduction in beneficial arthropods. We used pyrethrin treatment in a one- and three-acre hopyard in several different regimes culminating in a final year of complete pyrethrin coverage. We sampled arthropods, plant biomass and yield, and hopperburn to determine if spray regime or location (edge versus interior) impacted measures of hop production and management. There was evidence from all three measures that pyrethrin positively impacted management of hops pests and improved yield in hops, without resulting in other pest management issues. Thus, we will continue to use and evaluation pyrethrin to target pest populations and we advise other farmers to consider this approach. However, there is evidence that leafhoppers are able to rapidly repopulate small hopyards and potential evidence of selection for resistance to pyrethrin treatment. Thus, this approach should utilize arthropod sampling or scouting to monitor effectiveness.

Summary of Important Findings

  • Pyrethrin application may greatly reduce leafhopper abundance (although the effect may be short-lived)
  • Plant biomass and wet yield was higher in pyrethrin treated plots
  • Few to no aphids or two-spotted spider mites were detected during these years or in relation to pyrethrin application
  • The predominant leafhopper pest was NOT potato leafhopper (Empoasca fabae), but was a similar species in the genus Hebata (formerly Empoasca)
Figure 1: count of leafhopper abundance on Cascade hops (above) or total beneficial arthropods (below) on sticky cards (Y-axis) versus sampling events (1-10) from early June to early September with Pyganic applications indicated by an arrow. Samples are from north (CAW1) or south (CAW41) hopyard edges or interior (CAW17). Figure 2 is below.

This material is based upon work supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, through the Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program under subaward number FNE21-977. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Roller Crimping Cereal Rye

By outcropn

Rolling and crimping cereal rye is a strategy for cover crop termination in no-till systems, but the timing of rolling and crimping is crucial for success. Now is a good time to monitor the grow stage of your cereal rye. Rye should be rolled when plants reach anthesis (flowering). At this point the rye plants are mature enough that the stems will be “crimped” when flattened to the soil surface, crushing the cell walls of the stems. Rolling the rye too soon, prior to anthesis, will not kill the immature plants and the rye can “pop back up” and continue to grow. In Alburgh, VT, cereal rye planted in mid to late September will typically reach anthesis around the end of May or early June depending on weather conditions.

To learn more about roller crimping, check out the Roller Crimping Cover Crops in Vermont: Benefits and Risks factsheet.

For more information about no-till cropping systems, read our Guide to Implementing No-till Cropping Systems in the Northeast.

As part of the 2020 Grain Growers Webinar Series, Dr. Erin Silva of the University of Wisconsin, Plant Pathology, gave a presentation on Cover Crop Based No-Till and Interseeding Techniques. View the recording of that webinar here to learn more about roller crimping cereal rye for no-till production systems.

Cereal rye at anthesis. Photo credit: Dana Jokela (Iowa State University)
10 ft I & J Crop Roller Crimper. Photo credit: I & J Manufacturing

Planting with Neonicotinoid Treated Seed (NTS)

By outcropn

Planting corn has begun! If you are planting corn treated with a neonicotinoid insecticide, make sure you are using best practices to minimize any movement of the seed treatment to off-target sites. Neonicotinoids can be extremely toxic to insects and even the dust created during planting can negatively impact beneficial insect populations like natural insect enemies and pollinators.

So, what can you do to mitigate potential neonicotinoid harm?

  1. Contact your local beekeepers with the time you plan on planting your NTS with enough time for beekeepers to relocate any nearby hives.
  2. Follow American Seed Trade Association and CropLife America safety regulations found in The Guide to Seed Treatment Stewardship: https://seed-treatment-guide.com/
  3. Learn about risk management and target NTS pests like seedcorn maggot and wireworm with the factsheets below and watch the Managing Neonicotinoids in Row Crops webinar series.

Resources can be found on UVM Extension Northwest Crops and Soil website: https://www.uvm.edu/extension/nwcrops

Factsheets:

Neonicotinoids & Risk Management: https://legacy.drup2.uvm.edu/sites/default/files/Northwest-Crops-and-Soils-Program/Articles_and_Factsheets/Neonicotinoids_Risk_Management_Final.pdf

Wireworm and Neonicotinoid Treated Seed in Row  Crops: https://legacy.drup2.uvm.edu/sites/default/files/Northwest-Crops-and-Soils-Program/Articles_and_Factsheets/Neonicotinoid_and_Wireworm_Final.pdf

Seedcorn Maggot and Neonicotinoid Treated Seed in Row Crops: https://legacy.drup2.uvm.edu/sites/default/files/Northwest-Crops-and-Soils-Program/Articles_and_Factsheets/Neonicotinoid_and_Seedcorn_Maggot_Final.pdf

Managing Neonicotinoids in Row Crops Webinar series: https://www.uvm.edu/extension/nwcrops/conferences-events-current-and-past

HPAI H5N1 in U.S. Dairy Cattle Updates and Resources

By outcropn

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 is a virus historically carried by wild birds and was first identified in 1996.  The virus spread to domestic poultry and caused outbreaks in 2022 on U.S. commercial and backyard poultry operations resulting in high rates of mortality.  In March 2024,  HPAI H5N1 was identified in lactating dairy cattle on a dairy farm in Texas.  Much is unknown about how the virus spreads in cattle.  The virus appears to concentrate in the mammary tissue and may be shed in the milk of lactating dairy cattle.  There has been one confirmed case of HPAI H5N1 in a human that had contact with infected cattle in Texas.  These infections have been non-fatal and have had a 100% recovery rate.  Currently, there have been no confirmed cases of HPAI H5N1 in dairy cattle in Vermont or surrounding states.

Animal Health Considerations

Among the confirmed cases of HPAI cattle, most likely to be infected are older (second lactation and greater) that are in mid to late stage of lactation. Clinical signs of the virus in lactating cattle include decreased feed intake and milk production, thickened milk that may look like colostrum, fever, nasal discharge, and changes in manure texture and consistency.  Symptomatic animals should be isolated from healthy animals and treated with supportive therapy associated with depressed rumen activity and dehydration.  These cattle fully recover within 2-3 weeks.

A fact sheet on HPAI H5N1 in U.S. Dairy Herds is available on the Northwest Crops and Soils website and linked here: Highly_Pathogenic_Avian_Influenza_H5N1_in_U.S._Dairy_Herds_April2024.pdf (uvm.edu)

Milk Supply Safety

Pasteurized milk and other dairy products, infant formula and beef have all tested negative for live or infectious HPAI virus.  Additional testing and research efforts by the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continue.  The commercial milk supply is safe.  Milk and meat from unhealthy animals are prohibited from entering the food supply. 

Federal Order and Interstate Transport Guidelines

A Federal Order announced by the USDA was made effective on April 29th to better track and understand any spread of HPAI H5N1 in livestock.  The order requires that all lactating cattle traveling across state lines test negative for the virus within 7 days of transport and move with a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection.  Interstate movement of lactating cattle to slaughter facilities (without any interim stops) may travel with Owner Shipper Statement documentation, which must be submitted to both the origin and destination state.  Lactating animals exhibiting any signs of illness are prohibited from interstate transport.

The Owner Shipper Statement Form is available here: National OSS fillable form effective April 30, 2024.pdf (vermont.gov).  In Vermont this completed form should be emailed to agr.animalhealth@vermont.gov or stephanie.parks@vermont.gov

Additional details regarding interstate movement of lactating dairy animals are available on the Northwest Crops and Soils website and linked here: HPAI_H5N1_In_Dairy_Cattle_Update_and_Federal_Order_5.2.24.pdf (uvm.edu)

Testing

Contact your herd veterinarian if you have animals exhibiting HPAI H5N1 symptoms or healthy animals that need to be transported across state lines.  A licensed veterinarian may submit milk (composite sample with milk from all 4 quarters) or nasal swab samples to be processed only by an approved National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) facility.

Biosecurity

Implementing a biosecurity plan on your dairy farm offers a greater level of protection against exposure to a variety of threats.  Much is still unknown about how HPAI H5N1 is spread.  In addition to standard farm biosecurity practices, precautions should be taken when handling symptomatic livestock and their milk, traveling between farms, or moving animals between farms.  A full list of disinfectant products that are effective against HPAI, including the active ingredients, product names, and required contact times is available on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website EPA’s Registered Antimicrobial Products Effective Against Avian Influenza [List M] | US EPA

Dairy Biosecurity Recommendations for HPAI are available here: Dairy Biosecurity Recommendations for HPAI and More (aabp.org)

Resources for creating a biosecurity plan for your farm are available on the Healthy Farms Healthy Agriculture website Biosecurity Plan – Healthy Farms Healthy Agriculture and the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) website Biosecurity – National Dairy FARM Program

No-tillage and Dry Bean Variety Performance

By outcropn

Alternative market classes of dry beans, such as navy, small red, and pinto, are valued by consumers for their culinary characteristics and visual appeal. Modern breeding efforts have expanded the market classes (beyond black beans) that can be direct-harvested, lowering the barrier to entry by reducing the need for specialized equipment.

Current management practices for organic dry beans can deplete the soil, relying on tillage and cultivation for weed management and harvesting. Direct-harvesting dry beans, specifically black beans, has shown promise in organic no-till systems and could reduce the negative impacts on soil health while suppressing weeds.

In 2023, the University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops and Soils Program initiated a research trial to evaluate the performance of four dry bean market classes (black, navy, pinto, and small red) in an organic tilled system compared to an organic no till system. Check out the 2023 No-tillage and Dry Bean Variety Performance report to see how these varieties performed under different management systems.

This research is supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) NE SARE under federal award number LNE22-444 and by the USDA NIFA Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI) under federal award number 2022-51300-37881.

Harvest Timing and Height

By outcropn

It’s almost go time! Be ready for 1st cut to maximize quality.

The snow has finally left the fields and while the ground is still wet, the first cut will be upon us within a few weeks. While there is always so much to do, take the time to make sure you’re ready to head to the field when the time is right. Timing is everything and as we experienced last year, you just never know when that dry warm stretch is going to arrive.

With the first cut we are really trying to balance dry matter yield with forage quality, namely fiber digestibility. As cool season grasses mature, they move from leafy vegetative growth to reproductive growth. As they start to elongate, woodier stems grow to support seed heads. These stems contain more fiber, and a higher proportion of that fiber is less digestible. Figure 1 shows this transition in orchardgrass that was harvested weekly starting on 12-May and through 23-May when it began showing seed heads. At the early harvest when the plants were still vegetative, fiber content is low and fiber digestibility is high. As harvest is delayed a week, fiber content increases, in this case by about 2.5%, and fiber digestibility decreased by about 5%. As we reach heading, fiber content is now another 3% higher and fiber digestibility reduced by another 5%. Some research has shown a 0.5 lb milk increase for every 1% increase in fiber digestibility. That means delaying harvest too long can really impact milk production.                                                                 

Figure 1. Weekly changes in quality of orchardgrass.

The timing of this transition from vegetative to reproductive stages is going to largely depend on the species and varieties out in the field. Table 1 shows average heading dates we’ve noted in our perennial cool season grass variety trials over the last three years.

Even if you are running short on feed this spring, resist the temptation to go out and scalp the fields down to the ground! Mowing to the ground removes all the plant leaves but can also remove the plant crown and new side shoots (tillers).  Grasses store energy and new growth potential in their crown and the crown is found in the first 2 to 3 inches of the plant. When this is removed, instead of the plant collecting the sun’s rays to regrow the plant must draw on root energy reserves to elongate those leaves to restart photosynthesis. This takes longer and over time diminishes plant vigor and resilience to drought or other adverse conditions. Repeated low mowing will cause your stands to weaken and thin leading to overall reduced yield, quality, and persistence. While that crown holds energy for the plant, it is actually the least nutritious and digestible portion of the plant. Therefore, while you may be getting a little more tonnage, it is of low quality and increases the risk of soil contamination. This tradeoff is demonstrated in Figure 2 which shows yield and fiber digestibility at three cutting heights. We observed a 7% reduction in yield when cutting at 3.0” vs 1.5” but fiber digestibility increased by 5%.

Figure 2. Yield vs quality of forage cut at three heights.

Leaving more stubble in the field has some additional benefits too. Higher stubble can help lift the forage off the ground, allow for better air flow, and faster drying. Faster drying means more plant sugars available to encourage proper fermentation of the feed. More residual protects the soil and helps to maintain cooler ground temperatures. This can help retain moisture and keep the soil microorganisms cool. If the soil gets too hot, these microorganisms slow down or go dormant, limiting the soil’s ability to cycle nutrients and provide other critical functions.

For all these reasons, take the time to get ready for the first cut and be ready to roll by mid-May. Check over your equipment, install some high skid shoes, and go make some high-quality 1st cut! For more information from our trials, visit our website https://www.uvm.edu/extension/nwcrops/research.

Impacts of Winter Rye Biomass on No-Till Soybeans

By outcropn

Winter rye is used as a cover crop in the Northeast because it is cold-hardy and grows quickly in the fall and continues to produce more biomass in the spring. Winter rye can be planted later than many other crop crops and gives farmers the opportunity to plant a cover crop even after harvesting a full season crop like soybeans. Over the past two field seasons, the UVM Extension Northwest Crops & Soils Program has conducted research trials on the impact of winter rye planting date & seeding rate on no-till soybeans. Keep reading for a summary of how cover crop planting date impacted soybean yields in these trials. Additional information, including the full research reports can be found on our website.

In 2021-2022 and 2022-2023, rye was planted at five planting dates (Table 1). Cover crop biomass was measured the following spring just before it was roller crimped and then soybeans were planted into the mulch using a no-till planter. At harvest, soybean yield was measured. Figure 1 provides a summary of the relationship between rye biomass and soybean yield in planting dates 1, 3, & 5. Rye biomass was higher in 2023, but decreased with the later planting dates in both years. Soybean yields were also higher in 2023. The soybean yield response to rye planting date was quite different. In 2022, soybean yields were highest when planted into the first planting date, and lowest in the last. The opposite trend was observed in 2023; soybean yields were negatively impacted by the increase in rye biomass, and yields were highest in the last planting date.

Winter rye produced exceptionally high biomass in 2023 due to above average temperatures in the fall and through the early months of 2023 (Table 2). In 2021, fall temperatures were also warm, but cold winter and early spring temperatures limited rye growth. Rye biomass in 2021-2022 reflects average yields for our region, approximately 2 tons of dry matter per acre. Excessive rye biomass taking up water in the soil and limited precipitation in May 2023 resulted in a dry seed bed at soybean planting. Cool temperatures persisted, and excessive rainfall during the remainder of the season resulted in above average precipitation. Sub-optimal growing conditions and high rye biomass likely resulted in soybean yield reductions in the first planting date of the 2023 trial. Temperatures were also cooler than average during the 2022 soybean growing season. But there was more precipitation in May & June 2022 compared to 2023 and this resulted in saturated soil conditions that persisted throughout the season. In this scenario, the additional rye biomass in the first planting date may have reduced soil moisture by taking up available water in the soil.

Moderate amounts of rye biomass in the spring may help reduce soil moisture in years with increased precipitation and improve soybean yields. But too much rye biomass can deplete the soil of moisture, and exacerbate dry soil conditions, resulting in yield reductions.

Table 1. Winter rye planting dates by trial year.

Figure 1. Spring rye biomass and soybean yield by planting date in 2022 & 2023 field trials.

Table 2. Monthly average temperature & total precipitation by trial year compared to the 30-year average.

2024 Funding Opportunities for Dairy & Crop Operations

By outcropn

Below is a list of organizations that offer funding that may be applicable to systems and improvements you are interested in pursuing this year.  Please click here to view the full document with detailed descriptions for each funding opportunity. You can also feel free to reach out to the UVM Extension Northwest Crops & Soils Team with questions or for assistance.

Vermont Housing & Conservation Board – Vermont Farm & Forest Viability Program
VHCP Vermont Farm & Forest Viability Program Water Quality Grants, Apply by January 19th, 2024.
https://www.vhcb.org/viability/grants/water-quality-grants

Vermont Working Lands Enterprise Initiative (several listed)

ARPA Primary Producer Impact Grant. Apply by January 19th, 2024.
https://workinglands.vermont.gov/grant-contract-opportunities/arpa-primary-producer-impact-grant

Supply Chain Impact Grant. Apply by January 19th, 2024.
https://workinglands.vermont.gov/grant-contract-opportunities/supply-chain-impact-grants

Business Enhancement Grant. Application likely to reopen in November 2024
Business Enhancement Grants | Working Lands Enterprise Initiative (vermont.gov)

Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (several listed)

Pay for Performance. Apply January 2nd-January 24th, 2024.
Vermont Pay for Performance Program | Agency of Agriculture Food and Markets

Engineering Services & Farmstead Best Management Practices (BMP) Program. Apply by April 1st, 2024.
https://agriculture.vermont.gov/bmp

Farm Agronomic Practice (FAP) Program. Apply by April 1st, 2024 for Spring practices. Apply by June 15th, 2024 for Rotational Grazing. Apply by August 1st, 2024 for Fall practices.
https://agriculture.vermont.gov/fap

Capital Equipment Assistance Program (CEAP). Apply by November 1st, 2024.
https://agriculture.vermont.gov/ceap

Grassed Waterways & Filter Strip (GWFS) Program. Application is on a rolling basis.
https://agriculture.vermont.gov/gwfs

Farm Agronomic Practice (FAP) Training Grants. Applications required at least 45 days prior to event.
https://agriculture.vermont.gov/fap/training

Pasture & Surface Water Fencing. Application is on a rolling basis.
https://agriculture.vermont.gov/pswf

Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP). Application is on a rolling basis
https://agriculture.vermont.gov/crep

Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center

On Farm Milk Storage & Handling. Apply by January 18th, 2024.
https://nedairyinnovation.com/grants/on-farm-milk-storage-handling/

Dairy Farm Improvement & Modernization Grant. Application likely to reopen in fall/winter of 2024.
https://nedairyinnovation.com/grants/farm-improvement-modernization/

USDA Rural Development. Rural Development for America Program (REAP).
Applications accepted quarterly — next period apply by December 31st, 2023
Rural Energy for America Program Renewable Energy Systems & Energy Efficiency Improvement Guaranteed
Loans & Grants | Rural Development (usda.gov)

Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education. Farmer Grant Program. Application likely to reopen in fall 2024. Farmer Grant Program – SARE Northeast

Reach out to the UVM Extension Northwest Crops & Soils Team with questions or for assistance at 802-524-6501 or by email to Amber Machia, amber.machia@uvm.edu or Susan Brouillette, susan.brouillette@uvm.edu.

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