Improving oilseed production and harvesting practices in New England: A farmer-to-Farmer exchange

Project Overview

LNE09-282
Project Type: Research and Education
Funds awarded in 2009: $109,306.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/2011
Region: Northeast
State: Vermont
Project Leader:
Dr. Heather Darby
Email
University of Vermont Extension

Annual Reports

Commodities

  • Agronomic: canola, sunflower

Practices

  • Crop Production: cover crops, no-till
  • Education and Training: extension, farmer to farmer, focus group, mentoring, networking, on-farm/ranch research, participatory research, workshop
  • Energy: bioenergy and biofuels
  • Pest Management: mulches - killed, physical control, cultivation

    Proposal abstract:

    Vermont’s Sustainable Agriculture Council has identified “on-farm energy enhancement” as a top research priority and in recent research estimated the demand and capacity for in-state food products, livestock meal and biodiesel made from local oilseed crops (White et al. 2007). The results show that oilseed production is feasible in New England. Yet further advances in local knowledge and technology are needed to advance to the next stages of demonstration and implementation. The objectives of this proposal are to: (1) improve pest management practices to improve yields, quality and economic viability of oilseed crops; (2) develop a guide to “Producing Oilseeds in New England” and dedicated oilseed website for producers; and (3) enhance opportunities for farmer-to-farmer learning exchanges throughout Vermont and New England. Our field production research will build on previous projects that have examined best agricultural practices for oilseed production in New England. A local farmer with oilseed production experience will establish on-farm demonstration/ research trials. The on-farm projects are based on critical needs determined by area oilseed growers. We will summarize the applied research from this project, past research projects, and regional projects to publish the first guide to “Producing Oilseeds in New England” This guide, as well as other related information on oilseed production in the region will be available via a user-friendly website created specifically for oilseed production in New England. By the end of 2011, 50 additional New England farmers will include oilseeds in their rotations and 500 additional acres will be planted in oilseeds. Twenty-five of the existing oilseed farmers will have adopted at least one new practice to enhance sustainability and profitability

    Performance targets from proposal:

    The objectives of this proposal are to: (1) improve pest management practices to improve yields, quality and economic viability of oilseed crops; (2) develop a guide to “Producing Oilseeds in New England” and dedicated oilseed website for producers; and (3) enhance opportunities for farmer-to-farmer learning exchanges throughout Vermont and New England.

    Performance Target: By the end of 2012, 50 additional New England farmers will include oilseeds in their rotations and 500 additional acres will be planted in oilseeds. This will result in a total of 1081 acres of oilseed crops on 70 farms in New England. The value of the oilseed crops under current production practices and average yields (1500 lb per acre) will be approximately $243,225. As a result of this project 50 farmers (representing about 10 acres per farm) will have adopted at least one new pest management practice to minimize bird and/or weed damage and double yields (1500 lbs to 3500 lbs per acre). This will result in an increased income of $112,500 for these farms.

    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.