Developing best management practice for growing grain suitable for malt in the Northeast

Developing best management practice for growing grain suitable for malt in the Northeast

Summary

The local foods movement continues to create new markets for farmers. The problem is that the demand for local grains often exceeds the supply of high quality product. One such market is that of grain for malting. The recent opening of 6 new malt operations in VT, MA, NY, and Quebec has given farmers an opportunity to produce a high value grain. These businesses have the potential to purchase at least 750,000 lbs of grains yearly. Unfortunately, current production of grain for malting has not met the demand and hence there is opportunity for at least 25 farmers to grow malt grains on 500 plus acres. Grains for malting grow well in the Northeast, but farmers lack the information needed to produce grains that meet the high quality standards necessary for malting. Therefore, new knowledge is needed to help these farms be successful meeting the market demand for malt grains.

There is interest in grain production throughout the Northeast as evidenced by increased membership of the Northern Grain Growers Association (NGGA), attendance at outreach events, and requests for information. In the last year local malt companies have worked with 10 farmers to procure grains for malting and newer companies are now providing markets for at least 15 additional farms. We hypothesize that implementation of appropriate practices such as adapted disease resistant varieties; proper planting dates, optimum nitrogen rates, and seed rates will increase grain that meets the strict malting standards. Small plot and on-farm research is being conducted to evaluate best practices for growing malting barley in the Northeast. Trials have begun to identify commercially available and heirloom germplasm that are adapted to the Northeast climate. Agronomic studies on planting date, nitrogen management and disease control have been initiated and a first year of data collected in Vermont and Massachusetts. The educational approach has begun to develop a collaborative outreach program that will increase farmer knowledge base on producing grains for malting. Outreach has included 2 on-farm research projects, 4 workshops, and 1 conference. Footage for production of a YouTube series addressing critical grain quality parameters is being collected. A booklet on best strategies for growing malting quality grains in the Northeast will be developed in subsequent years of the project.

Objectives/Performance Targets

Performance Targets

Twenty-five farms in the Northeast will implement new production strategies on 500 acres of grain for malting that result in 450,000 lbs of grain making marketable malt with a value of $160,000 while the remaining 300,000 lbs of grain make the feed grade market with a value of $45,000.

Goals & Objectives

The goal of this project is to enhance the capacity of farmers to produce high quality malt barley to meet the increasing demand from end-users.

Objective one is to develop best agronomic practices related to variety selection, planting date, seeding rate, and nitrogen rate for winter barley grown in the northeast.

The hypothesis is that if regionally specific agronomic practices are developed for growing malt grain than farmers will have better success in meeting the standards for this market. Implementation of appropriate practices such as adapted varieties, adequate nitrogen rate and timing, application of disease controls as well as proper planting dates and seed rates will more often result in grain that meets the strict malting standards.

Objective 2 is to develop a robust and diverse educational and outreach program to provide barley growers with best production information on growing high quality barley in the northeast.

The hypothesis is that partnerships formed between researchers and outreach professionals, end-users and farmers will expedite the development, transfer, and implementation of best practices to produce marketable grains for malting, and in doing so; will contribute to the long-term profitability and sustainability of farms in the Northeast.

Accomplishments/Milestones

Overall the project progressed as planned. The warm and dry conditions in the late summer and fall of 2015 allowed for the cover crops to establish well and likewise the winter barley. The limited snowfall and cold temperatures during the 2015-2016 winter resulted in varying degrees of winterkill in the winter barley planting date trial and the complete loss of the winter barley variety trial. The winterkill in the planting date trial allowed for high weed pressure in several plots which resulted in poor yields and quality. The warm and dry temperatures during the 2016 growing season resulted in higher yields and low disease pressure.

• July 5, 2015- Hosted a research team planning meeting at UVM, Burlington, VT, in order to finalized research plans and plot designs between the two universities.
• July 13, 2015- Cover crops (crimson clover, sun hemp, and a mixture of the two) were planted at Borderview Farm, Alburgh, VT in preparation for the winter barley variety by seeding rate by cover crop trial.
• July 25, 2015-  Cover crops (crimson clover, sun hemp, and a mixture of the two) were planted at UMass Agricultural Experiment Station Farm, South Deerfield, MA in preparation for the winter barley variety by seeding rate by cover crop trial.
• September 5, 2015- First planting date for the planting date by nitrogen trial. 32 plots of Wintmalt barley with different nitrogen treatments were planted at Borderview Farm, Alburgh, VT and UMass Agricultural Experiment Station Farm, South Deerfield, MA.      
• September 8, 2015- Heights and plant biomass, and soil nitrate samples were taken of the cover crops before they were terminated at the UMass Agricultural Experiment Station Farm, South Deerfield, MA
• September 9, 2015- Heights and plant biomass, and soil nitrate samples were taken of the cover crops before they were terminated at Borderview Farm, Alburgh, VT
• September 15, 2015 – Second planting date for the planting date by nitrogen trial. 32 plots of Wintmalt barley with different nitrogen treatments were planted at Borderview Farm, Alburgh, VT and UMass Agricultural Experiment Station Farm, South Deerfield, MA.      
• September 25, 2015 – Third planting date for the planting date by nitrogen trial. 32 plots of Wintmalt barley with different nitrogen treatments were planted at Borderview Farm, Alburgh, VT and UMass Agricultural Experiment Station Farm, South Deerfield, MA.
• September 25, 2015 – The cover crop by seeding rate trial was planted at Borderview Farm, Alburgh VT. 48 plots of Wintmalt barley and 48 plots of Endevour barley with different cover crop and seeding rate treatments were planted at Borderview Farm, Alburgh, VT and UMass Agricultural Experiment Station Farm, South Deerfield, MA.
• October 7, 2015 – Fall nitrogen amendments added to plots in the planting date by nitrogen trial at Borderview Farm, Alburgh, VT and UMass Agricultural Experiment Station Farm, South Deerfield, MA.
• October 14, 2015 – Populations (number of plants in three 12 inch segments of a row) were collected for the planting date by nitrogen trial.
• November 5, 2015 – Soil nitrate samples were taken in the planting date by nitrogen trial plots at Borderview Farm, Alburgh, VT and UMass Agricultural Experiment Station Farm, South Deerfield, MA. Heights were collected for the barley in both the seeding rate by cover crop and nitrogen by planting date trials. Populations (number of plants in three 12 inch segments of a row) were collected for the seeding rate by cover crop trial.
• April 2016 – Winter survival (percent survival based on visual assessment) was assessed in winter barley trials at all sites.
• May 2016 – Spring nitrogen amendments added to plots in the planting date by nitrogen trial at all sites.
• June 2016 – Flowering dates were collected for winter barley trials at all sites.
• July 2016 – The seeding rate by cover crop trial was harvested at all sites. Plot weight, moisture content and test weight were measured. A 300 gram subsample from each plot was collected for analysis at the Cereal Testing Laboratory at the University of Vermont, Burlington, VT. The planting date by nitrogen trial was harvested at all sites. Plot weight, moisture content and test weight were measured. A 300 gram subsample was collected from each plot for analysis at the Cereal Testing Laboratory at the University of Vermont, Burlington, VT.
• August 2016 to present – Samples being processed for quality at the Cereal Testing Laboratory at the University of Vermont, Burlington, VT. Measurements include germination rate, plumpness, crude protein, falling number, and DON levels.
• August 2016- Cover crops (crimson clover, sun hemp, and a mixture of the two) were planted at in preparation for the winter barley variety by seeding rate by cover crop trial.
• September 2016- The second year of the winter barley planting date by nitrogen and cover crop by variety and seeding rate trials were established and the 2^nd year of the winter barley variety trial was planted.
• October 2016- Fall nitrogen amendments added to plots in the planting date by nitrogen trial at all sites.

Outreach Activities:

March 18, 2015- 11^th Annual Grain Growers Conference, Essex, VT. Barley breeder Scott Fisk from Oregon State gave presentations on malting barley. Hard copies of the 2014 winter barley variety, spring barley fungicide, spring barley variety, and heirloom spring barley variety trial reports were given out. Surveyed conference goers about their experience and interest in growing malting barley, specifically what additional information is needed in order to grow malting barley successfully. 133 attendees.

June 24, 2015- “Impact of Planting Date, Nitrogen Regime, Cultivar and Zinc on Malt Barley Quality”. UMass Agricultural Field Day University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA.                            

October 11, 2015- “Best Management Practices for Malt Barley in the Northeast”. Plant Biology Symposium, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA.

February 1, 2016 – Hudson Valley Grain School, Lathrop, NY. Several speakers from throughout the northeast presented on growing grains. This included farmer, extension, and researcher speakers. The focus was primarily on malt barley production. 105 attendees.                                                                                                                                    

March 17, 2016- 12^th Annual Grain Growers Conference, Essex, VT. Brook Brouwer from Washington State gave talks on growing barley for malting purposes. Hard copies of the 2015 spring barley fungicide, spring barley variety, and heirloom spring barley variety trial reports were available. Surveyed conference goers about their experience and interest in growing malting barley, specifically what additional information is needed in order to grow malting barley successfully. 142 attendees

June 14, 2016- Lead Presenter of Barley research initiatives at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, to malt barley researchers from North Dakota State University and Hardwick College, a representative from the craft maltsters guild, and regional barley growers and maltsters.           

June 28, 2016-Grain Research Tour, Borderview Research Farm, Alburgh, VT. Toured the winter and spring barley research trials and answered questions from growers. Distributed grain scouting report, and 2015 barley research reports. There were 39 in attendance.

July 28, 2016- Annual Crops & Soils Field Day, Alburgh, VT. Toured the research plots and answered questions from growers. Held an afternoon session on scouting grains for pests and diseases. There were 185 attendees.                       

October 3, 2016- “Managing Planting Date and Nitrogen Application for Local Malting Barley Production” Plant Biology Symposium, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA               

November 8, 2016– “Grain yield and malting indices of brewing barley as affected by time of planting and nitrogen management in the Northeastern USA” ASA, CSSA and SSSA International Annual Meeting, Phoenix, AZ .            

2015-Present-Technical advisor to Matt Zarif on his SARE farmer grant with Carter and Stevens Farm in the development of a malt barley production system during the establishment of Stone Cow Brewery.                

Publications and Reports:

Darby, H., E. Cummings, L. Calderwood, J. Cubins, A. Gupta, J. Post and S. Zeigler. 2015. The Efficacy of Spraying Fungicides to Control Fusarium Head Blight Infection in Spring Malting Barley. University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops & Soils Program, St. Albans, VT. Available online at: http://www.uvm.edu/extension/cropsoil/wp-content/uploads/2015-Spring-Barley-Fungicide.pdf (accessed 30 Nov. 2016).

Darby, H., E. Cummings, and L. Calderwood. 2015. 2015 Small Grain Disease and Insect Pest Scouting Report. University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops & Soils Program, St. Albans, VT. Available online at: http://www.uvm.edu/extension/cropsoil/wp-content/uploads/2015GrainsPestScoutingReport.pdf (accessed 30 Nov. 2016).

Darby, H., J. Cubins, L. Calderwood, E. Cummings, A. Gupta, J. Post and S. Zeigler. 2015. 2015 Spring Barley Seeding Rate and Interseeding Trial. University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops & Soils Program, St. Albans, VT. Available online at: http://www.uvm.edu/extension/cropsoil/wp-content/uploads/2015-Spring-Barley-SR-and-Interseed-Trial.pdf (accessed 30 Nov. 2016).

Darby, H., E. Cummings, L. Calderwood, J. Cubins, A. Gupta, J. Post and S. Zeigler. 2015. 2015 Organic Spring Barley Variety Trial. University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops & Soils Program, St. Albans, VT. Available online at http://www.uvm.edu/extension/cropsoil/wp-content/uploads/2015-Organic-Spring-Barley-Variety-Trial.pdf (accessed 30 Nov. 2016).

Darby, H., and E. Cummings. 2016. Be On the Lookout for Loose Smut. University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops & Soils Program, St. Albans, VT. June blog post, available online at: http://blog.uvm.edu/outcropn/2016/06/20/be-on-the-look-out-for-loose-smut/ (accessed 21 Dec. 2016)

Wise, C. R., M. Hashemi, D. Cooley, and E. Petit. Head Blight in Brewing Barley and Other Small Grains. University of Massachusetts Amherst Extension Fact Sheet, 2016. Link: http://ag.umass.edu/sites/ag.umass.edu/files/fact-sheets/pdf/head_blight_in_brewing_barley.pdf

Wise, C. R., and M. Hashemi. Ongoing Malt Barley Research Projects at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. CDLE Newsletter (summer 2016) 18(4): 18-19

Wise, C. R. and M. Hashemi. 2015. Impacts of Planting Date, Nitrogen, Cultivar and Zinc on Barley Malt Quality. UMass Agricultural Field Day, Research Report. Pg 24.

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

Significant progress has been made in reaching milestone during the first year of the project. Below are outlined milestones and corresponding progress for the year.

Milestone 1. 200 beneficiaries will learn about malt grain opportunities, market requirements, basic grain production, and quality testing at winter conference. A panel of grain growers will provide expertise. Project information including goals and verification plan will be shared and 30 interested farmers will be provided with recordkeeping booklets.

Progress:

February 1, 2016 – Hudson Valley Grain School, Lathrop, NY. Several speakers from throughout the northeast presented on growing grains. This included farmer, extension, and researcher speakers. The focus was primarily on malt barley production. 105 attendees.                        

March 17, 2016- 12^th Annual Grain Growers Conference, Essex, VT. Brook Brouwer from Washington State gave talks on growing barley for malting purposes. Hard copies of the 2015 spring barley fungicide, spring barley variety, and heirloom spring barley variety trial reports were available. Surveyed conference goers about their experience and interest in growing malting barley, specifically what additional information is needed in order to grow malting barley successfully. 142 attendees

Recordkeeping booklets were distributed to 50 interested farmers. Farmers surveyed expressed interest in learning more about disease management, weed control, and storage practices. Farmers noted their appreciation for the barley research and outreach happening through this project.

Milestone 2. 3 farmer-collaborators will implement research focused on disease, variety, and fertility management. Six research station trials including variety, fertility, planting date, and disease control studies will be conducted in VT and MA to develop best practices for malt grain.

Progress: During the 2015/2016 growing season on-farm barley trials were initiated on two farms in MA. These farms evaluated 3 seeding rates and 2 varieties of winter barley in replicated strips on their operations. At least 2 additional on-farm trials will be initiated in 2016. Research station trials were initiated in MA and VT during the 2015/2016 growing season. Preliminary results for the 2015-2016 Date of Planting by Nitrogen Rate Trial are available for viewing. Variety trial, cover crop trial, and seeding rate trial are being processed and will be available in early winter.

Milestone 3. 150 farmers will attend on-farm workshops and receive information on variety selection, fertility and disease management, harvest techniques to reduce damage to grain, and drying and storage practices. Project goals and verification strategies will be shared. 30 farms agree to keep malt grain records.

Progress: On-farm workshops in the summer of 2016 attracted over 250 participants from around the region. Participants were able to view trials, learn about the project goals, and also see preliminary data available. Scouting training and identification of pests occurred at 2 of the workshops. 10 farmers agreed to keep records at these workshops.

Milestone 4: 100 beneficiaries will attend a special “malt grain” session at the NGGA winter conference. Expert growers, researchers and extension will develop a daylong agenda focused on production, harvest, and storage strategies for malt grain. Topics include variety selection, planter maintenance, nitrogen and disease management, harvest timing, combine specifications, cleaning and drying requirements. March 2017

Progress: Sessions have been developed involving barley agronomist Richard Horsely from North Dakota State University. Local growers will also be presenting.

Milestone 5: 75 farmers will attend workshops on malt grain quality hosted by maltsters. Event will include information on quality parameters, testing, and production strategies to meet standards.

Progress: Sessions have been developed involving two local maltsters from VT and NY.

Milestone 6: 500 farms receive best practices for growing grains for malting in the Northeast through web including video series, research reports, and agronomic guides. Ongoing

Progress: Progress reports are being developed and will be posted online in the winter of 2017.

Milestone 7: 50 farms attend malt grain update session at NGGA winter conference. Farms learn research results and share successes and challenges. 25 farms return records and report increase in acres and yield of malt grains, decrease in disease pressure, and increase in quality translating into successful sales to maltsters.

Progress: March 2018

Performance Targets

Twenty-five farms in the Northeast will implement new production strategies on 500 acres of grain for malting that result in 450,000 lbs of grain making marketable malt with a value of $160,000 while the remaining 300,000 lbs of grain make the feed grade market with a value of $45,000.

Progress: In 2016 there were 3 new farms that started growing malt barley in VT. Of these 3 farms we assisted with variety selection and other agronomic practices such as seeding rate. The barley made malt grade and was purchased by a local maltster.

Collaborators: