2011 Annual Report for FNC10-826
Meeting the Growing Demand for Organic Hops: Low-Trellis Organic Hop Production in the Great Lakes Region
Summary
One promising solution to the high costs associated with hi-trellis hops infrastructure is the low-trellis organic hop system. According to the USDA ARS (2008) low-trellis systems can reduce labor costs by 30 percent and, by our calculations, establishment costs by over 50 percent. Like most organic systems, weed and fertility management are the major impediments to economically viable yields in hops production. In conventional hops, weeds are managed by tillage and herbicides. The effects of repeated tillage on soil structure, erosion, and nutrient retention are well documented in the literature. Weeds in organic Michigan hopyards have been controlled by tillage and significant quantities of straw mulch. While effective, these practices are both labor intensive and expensive.
To investigate some of these questions, in 2011 we installed a 3 acre low-trellis hops system with the variety Summit and seeded the understory with leguminous ground cover. Though the growth rate of our hop rhizomes was subpar in 2011, we will be filling gaps in 2012 and expect decent yields this year. We collected and documented costs associated with the low trellis system and will compare those with the hi-trellis system. We also hosted a hop tour and field day to provide outreach to potential farmers. Results indicated a very successful learning experience for those involved.
Objectives/Performance Targets
Objectives /Performance Targets
The objectives of our grant were to:
1. Determine the growth habits, yields, quality, and market potential of the hop cultivars Summit and Teamaker on a low-trellis system under Great Lakes growing conditions.
2. Assess the effects of understory nitrogen fixing cover crops on soil quality, soil nitrogen levels, hop leaf nitrogen, and weed control.
3. Conduct a cost/benefit analysis of low-trellis vs. hi-trellis organic hop production systems.
Accomplishments/Milestones
Accomplishments/Milestones
On-farm manipulations were carried out near Omena, MI on the Leelanau Peninsula, N45 degrees 04'6.24", W85 degrees 35'49.92". In spring 2011 we took initial baseline soil samples. Using a tractor mounted auger we placed 14 ft. black locust poles (untreated to comply with organic certification), 4 ft. deep in eight rows of twenty-seven poles each. Poles were placed by hand at 30 ft. intervals in a north-south direction for an overall row length of 810 ft. With spacing and planting density similar to a hi-density apple orchard, poles measured 10 ft. above ground and rows 11 ft. apart, thereby adhering to the 90 percent height to row-width ratio recommended in hi-density apple systems (Schwallier, 2010). Hop rhizomes (2/hill) and plants (l/hill) will be planted in spring 2011. We installed drip irrigation (emitters every 2.5 ft)., which unfortunately necessitated drilling of a new well. Rhizomes were irrigated at 1 g/hr for 3 hours, twice/week during the summer (8 gallons/plant/week total). Dairy Doo compost from Morgan’s composting was applied and spread using a side delivery compost spreader that we rented form a local vineyard operation. White clover and mammoth red clover were seeded into the alleys using a no-till drill that we rented from the local conservation district. We received 3000 Summit rhizomes from our contact in the Yakima valley later than we would have liked but we proceeded with planting (2 per hill) with a hill every 2.5 ft. (260 hills/row and 1560 total hills) in late spring/early summer. Trellis wires will be installed and end anchors augured to secure the trellis system. Because the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is in the process of virus testing all of the hop varieties in its Humulus germplasm Repository (NCGR) in Corvallis, Oregon, we were unable to source Teamaker hops and instead planted the variety Summit.
Only 30 percent of the rhizomes planted developed. We surmise this was because of the late planting date -- the rhizomes may have been in storage for too long prior to planting. Because of the low growth rate, we did not measure yield in this first year. Planting gaps will be filled in this spring with replacement rhizomes.
Costs of infrastructure, labor, and equipment rental were recorded for future comparison with the more labor intensive hi-trellis system.
In terms of outreach, Michigan State University Extension held its annual Hop Field Day and Tour in August and our farm was one of the highlights. We reported on the progress of our SARE funded short trellis system research to approximately 70 people who signed up for the tour. The entire tour was very well organized and well received and we hope to participate in 2012 as well.
Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes
Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes
Outreach effectiveness was documented through use of a retrospective pre/post survey designed administered with the help of MSUE. The following questions were asked and measured before and after on a 1 to 5 scale (1=completely disagree, 5=completely agree).
1. Knowledge of hops production: I understand the key components of hop production (pets/diseases/infrastructure) (Before=2.94, After=4.32 p<.001).
2. I have a specific knowledge of how hops are processed. (Before=2.70, After=4.06 p<.001).
3. I have the specific knowledge of how hops are produced. (Before=2.64, After=3.90 p<.001).
4. I have the skills to grow hops. (Before=3.14, After=3.78 p<.001).
5. I understand the effect of hops on beer taste and quality. (Before=3.24, After=3.82 p<.005).
6. I will grow hops in the future. (Before=3.68, After=3.92 p<.05).
7. Sustainable hop production is a potentially unique, value-added agricultural opportunity for Michigan farmers. (Before=4.0, After=4.5 p<.005).
Participants were also asked to describe the most valuable part of the hop tour and field day. Below is a selection of participant responses:
• Starting from zero knowledge to a much better place. Our kids strongly recommended us to attend!!!
• Talking with growers and seeing their farms
• Actually touring the farms-Hands on!
• Ability to network with growers/brewers
• Learning about fertigation, and the brew process at the end.
• Listening to the growers
• Farm visitations, tasting, q and a
• Comparing organic and conventional
• Seeing, touching, tasting locally produced hops. Seeing and hearing about trellising.
• To hear from the people who are going through start-up
• Fertilizing and water schedules for hops
• Talking with growers and seeing their farms
• Seeing other farm setups
• Farm tours
• Relationship development between brewers and producers
• Networking potential
• Seeing how others have overcome the same challenges we've had
• Networking with other possible growers and businesses in the industry was the best part. Also finding out the proper types of pest management agents to use
• Thorough education about hops
• Visiting with other growers
• Talking to actual farmers, picking their brain. Discussing potential problems tricks of
• Tour of farms, reviewing processing equipment
• A better understanding of hops, how they are grown and processed
• Field tour, seeing the process