• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Search Projects
  • Help
  • Log in

Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education

Grants And Education To Advance Innovations In Sustainable Agriculture
  • Grants
  • Project Reports
    • Search Projects
    • Search Project Coordinators
  • Learning Center
  • SARE In Your State
  • Events
  • Newsroom
  • About SARE

Final Report for FS11-253

Demonstrating the Potential for Triticale and Annual Ryegrass as both an Alternative Winter Crop and a Soil Organic Matter-Building Practice

FS11-253 (project overview)
Project Type: Farmer/Rancher
Funds awarded in 2011: $9,997.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/2014
Region: Southern
State: Georgia
Principal Investigator:
Jonny Harris
Email
Greenview Farms, Inc.
Expand All Collapse All

Project Information

Abstract:

After harvesting the 2011 – 2012 crop, we planted cotton and measured yield compared to the contract. There was nearly 150 lbs. of lint difference. We again planted seven different plots with annuals and harvested each to evaluate the nutrient levels as well as measuring soil organic matter (SOM). This data was presented to a producer meeting on 3-17-14 with over 80 attendees. Candace Pollock of Southern SARE was asked to explain the process of applying for and receiving grants and the importance of on-farm trials.

Introduction

We noticed the need for high energy forage for both Dairy and Beef producers in southeast Georgia, noting there was no data to guide producers as to which varieties to grow.

 

Project Objectives:

To take a 45 acre tract dividing into seven different plots, planting then harvesting and sampling both the forage as well as the soil organic matter.

Test results were very impressive as demonstrated by our University of Georgia specialists Dr. Dennis Hancock, Dr. Curt Lacy and Dr. Lawton Stewart.

Research

Materials and methods:

With help from the USDA-NRCS, the field was divided into seven equal sections so each variety could be analyzed.

Research results and discussion:

We presented two different producer meetings – one with over 90 attendees and the last, a rainy afternoon, with over 80 people in attendance.

 

With the help of the University of Georgia specialists, we were able to show data reflecting the production of high nutrient forage as well as improving the soil organic matter thus helping prevent erosion as well as turning a cover crop into a cash crop.

  • Bulk Density Measurements
  • Forage Quantity & Quality

Project Outcomes

Project outcomes:

From evidence summited from the tests results there are at least a dozen farmers in our area who are growing cover crops for forage. This includes a small farm with just six acres as well as a dairy growing more than 600 acres.

Recommendations:

Potential Contributions

Southeast Georgia will now have the data available to help local farmers realize the value of growing cover crop forages.

Return to Project Overview
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 or SARE.

Primary Sidebar

Footer

SARE - Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education USDA
1122 Patapsco Building | University of Maryland | College Park, MD 20742-6715

This site is maintained by SARE Outreach for the SARE program and features research projects supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture. SARE Outreach operates under cooperative agreement award No. 2018-38640-28731 with the University of Maryland to develop and disseminate information about sustainable agriculture. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education © 2019
Help | Contact us