Expanding grain production and use on organic dairy farms in Maine and Vermont

Expanding grain production and use on organic dairy farms in Maine and Vermont

Summary

Maine has the largest percentage of organic dairy farms in the country, and Vermont has the largest number. Organic milk production has been one of the fastest growing agricultural sectors in the Northeast. For this expansion to continue, and for these farms to remain profitable and ecologically sound, organic dairy producers in the Northeast need to shift their farming systems to a more integrated model that relies less on purchased concentrates transported from the mid-west and Canada, at costs of nearly 300% of conventional grain concentrates, and more on an integrated system of high quality forage production and complementary grain. Momentum for grain production systems in the Northeast has already begun within the organic dairy community, as farmer/grower grant projects, farmer discussion groups, and several projects funded by the USDA Integrated Organic Program. This project will begin by evaluating the barriers to grain production in New England, including an analysis of the current and future supply of feed concentrate to the 160 current organic dairy farms in the region. Data compiled from a recent study on organic dairy profitability conducted by researchers in Maine and Vermont will be used to help evaluate the potential for improved profitability. Farmer collaborators in both states will assess grain production, storage and utilization options. We will also develop basic production data on organic grain systems in the Northeast, which are still lacking, by conducting strip trials on commercial farms and replicated small plot experiments at sites in Maine and Vermont. Working collaboratively with researchers, farmer collaborators will develop profitable grain production strategies that at least 40 producers will choose from and make appropriate investments in their farm business operations.

In 2006, the survey was conducted along with replicated trials in 3 locations in Maine and Vermont. A grain production conference with 80 participants was held in Maine in December.

Objectives/Performance Targets

1) Of the 160 organic dairy farms in Maine, and Vermont, five will become project partners with Extension and ARS researchers to help develop working models of integrated production systems that take advantage of high quality harvested forage, pasture, and complementary on-farm grain production, storage and utilization.

Six farms have been selected and participated in the spring planting of small grains in 2006. Hororariums were paid to these farmers for their work on this project.

2) Using data from plot research and research partners, forty of the 160 organic dairy farms in Vermont and Maine will successfully invest in growing, harvesting and utilizing grains on over 1000 acres to improve the sustainability of their farm operations through the development of more integrated, profitable and environmentally sound farming systems.

Accomplishments/Milestones

1) The project researchers will immediately survey Maine and Vermont organic dairy farmers and grain suppliers to identify specific barriers to on-farm grain production and the issues related to grain supplies. We will also use data generated from an on-going CSREES study, on the cost of producing organic milk, to begin to evaluate the risk potential farmers may have in investing in grain production technology

This survey was completed in the spring of 2006. Sixty eight farms from Maine and Vermont responded to the mailed survey. Of these farms, 54 indicated cost of organic grains as a major issue along with quality and consistency. Other issues identified included service from grain companies, lack of local sources, too much wheat by-products, pathogens and foreign matter and delivery delays.

Of the 68 farms responding, 17 indicated that they are now growing some of their own grains for feed for their organic livestock. Acres reported on soybeans grown in 2006 was 348, 220 in wheat, 40 in Barley, 453 in Triticale (silage and grain), 73 in spelt, 154 in oats. Growers also reported growing some sunflowers and peas for grain. Corn acreage was also reported with 771 acres for silage and grain corn.

Twelve farms indicated they are adding additional organic acreage to their operations to increase or add a grain enterprise. Of those who are not considering a grain enterprise, reasons indicated include acres, knowledge, iron (equipment), infrastructure, soil types, weed control and labor. Of these that are not growing grains, 37 indicated that if they had reliable yield and production information they would consider growing some organic grains on their farm. 78% of the responds were positive about the potential to purchase locally produced grains if they were available from their neighbors. Concerns about local grains included processing, delivery and storage.

2) Project researchers will work with MOFGA, MOMP, NODPA and NOFA-VT dairy technical advisors to identify 10 potential farmer research partners and work to select at least five to work as members of the project. Researchers will work with these partners to select grain rotations that will be used during the project period. Farmer researchers from both states will meet yearly as a group.

Researchers worked to identify 6 farmers to work with- 3 in Maine and 3 in Vermont. Data from these farms was complied with data from replicated plots. These farmers came together for a recent organic grain conference in Maine (Dec 2006). A conference in Vermont is scheduled for March 2007.

3) Research plots will be established at Newport, ME (USDA-ARS) and at a Farmer Cooperator farm in Highgate, VT. Un-replicated plots of similar grains will be planted on partner farms. This will begin in spring of 2006 and continue for the duration of the project.

Plots were planted in Newport, Me, Stillwater, Me. and Highgate, Vt. in the spring of 2006. Six different small grains (oats, hulless oats, barley, wheat, triticale and spelt)were planted in each location. Plots were harvested for both silage (at boot stage and soft dough stage) and grain harvest. Similar grains were planted on unreplicated plots on farm fields in both states.
Winter grains have been planted on the same locations in replicated and on-farm plots.

4) Agronomic data from replicated plots and research partner farms will be collected for three full seasons, along with associated feeding, production and profitability data.

5) Both Vermont and Maine researchers will work with participating farmer researchers and commodity groups to organize spring and summer field days every year of the project.

Maine and Vermont held field days on grower farms this past summer. Maine also hosted the NESARE PDP meetings and included one of the farms as part of the farm tour.

6) Production, harvest and feeding fact sheets will be published after the second year of trials. Newsletters (NODPA, MOMP, NOFA-VT, and Organic Seed Initiative) will be containing articles about research results and farmer trials.

7) Organic grain production seminars will be held each winter (2006-7 and 2007-8)

Maine held an organic grain conference in December of 2006 with 80 participants, including 3 from Vermont who were participants in a grower panel.

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

Spring planted grain data was presented to growers in Maine in December. For the Northeast, 2006 was a terrible year for growing small grains, with wet weather causing a multitude of problems. Fields in Vermont were flooded repeatedly and some of the fields in Maine were planted late and suffered. Early planted grains (late April) yielded well and indicated to growers the need for timely planting for both yield and weed control.

Strong interest in winter grains has been the result and organic farmers are looking for more data and crop rotations that will fit this window of production. Yield and quality information from the 2006-2007 winter/spring will be useful as they expand their grain operations.

Collaborators: