Evaluating 2nd Generation Hybrid Hazelnuts Through On-Farm Production Trials

2011 Annual Report for FNC10-823

Project Type: Farmer/Rancher
Funds awarded in 2010: $15,392.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/2013
Grant Recipient: Chequamegon Foods Farm
Region: North Central
State: Wisconsin
Project Coordinator:
Harold Vanselow
Chequamegon Food Coop

Evaluating 2nd Generation Hybrid Hazelnuts Through On-Farm Production Trials

Summary

[Editor's Note: To see the full version of the report with map of trial locations and photos, open the PDF version of the report.]

WORK ACTIVITIES
The primary purpose of the project in 2011 was to establish the production trials at four locations in Wisconsin. In cooperation with Jason Fischbach of Bayfield County UW-Extension we were able to plant 400 plants at each of four locations:

Chequamegon Foods Farm
Harold Vanselow
87380 Betzold Rd.
Bayfield, WI 54814

Spooner Agricultural Research Station
Phil Holman, Superintendent
W6646 Hwy 70
Spooner, WI 54801

Emancipation Acres
Joel Helge
1956 Skaalen Rd.
Stoughton, WI 53589

Hazel Valley Farm
Jeannie Herold
S70W34138 Township Road X
Eagle, Wi 53119

At each site, the plants were arranged in 9 rows to accommodate trellising and harvesting trials that will be implemented starting in 2014. At each site, 350 plants were full sibling seedlings sourced from the breeding program of Forest Agriculture Enterprises. These seedlings are from seeds collected from a crossing block in Iowa consisting of clones of the top two plants from the Forest Agriculture Enterprises breeding program. For comparison, seedlings of American hazelnut were established at every fourth plant within each row. After planting, a grow tube was installed to provide protection from rodents, wind, and deer browse. All input costs, including labor hours, were recorded by each cooperator and will be used to develop enterprise budgets. Drip irrigation was installed at the Bayfield, Eagle, and Stoughton sites. Overhead irrigation was used at the Spooner site. Weed control varied by location with a combination of mulch and herbicides used at all locations.

RESULTS
After the first year, we have learned that establishing hazelnuts is similar to other perennial woody crops requiring careful site preparation to reduce weed competition. Input cost data has been recorded, but not yet summarized in a Research Bulletin. As with other tubelings, the full-sibling plants used in this trial require protection and the tree tubes can be very helpful. The majority of the new information generated by this trial will be available starting in 2012 as we record plant growth and survival. We are excited to have established these plantings as they will yield valuable data as to the performance of the select Forest Agriculture Enterprise genetics. Equally important, the plantings will play a valuable demonstration role, allowing UW-Extension to provide outreach education throughout Wisconsin.

WORK PLAN FOR 2012
Year-end survival and growth data will be collected in the spring of 2012 just after the plants emerge from dormancy. At this time, height will be recorded for each plant. The rest of the year will be spent on weed control and watering. A combination of mulch and herbicides will be used in 2012 to control weeds. Drip irrigation will be used, as necessary, to maintain adequate soil moisture. Supplemental nitrogen will be applied at a rate of 50 lbs/ac just after budbreak. Survival and year-end growth will be recorded in October of 2012 along with 2012 input data. A Research Bulletin reporting on the growth and input costs will be developed in the late-fall of 2012.

OUTREACH
An article about the trials was included in the Hazelnut News newsletter that is available for download at www.midwesthazelnuts.org (see attached). The newsletter was emailed to the Upper Midwest Hazelnut Development Initiative listserve with more than 200 recipients. The newsletter was also distributed at the Wisconsin Hazelnut Field Day (45 people) and the Minnesota Hazelnut Field Day (60 people). Information about the trials will be presented at the 3rd Annual Midwest Hazelnut Growers Conference in March 2012.

The Wisconsin Hazelnut Field Day will be held in Eagle, WI in 2012 and will feature the production trial. The topic of the field day will be hazelnut establishment. In addition, Research Bulletins reporting on the plantings will be prepared and distributed.

Objectives/Performance Targets

Accomplishments/Milestones

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes