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Inside, you'll find:
- News and Updates
- Upcoming Events
- Research Spotlight: Winter Wheat Varieties
- Weather Data
- Outcroppings Blog
- Photos
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18th Annual Crops & Soils Field Day Recap. Thank You!
Our Annual Crops & Soils Field Day on July 24 was a huge success! Our whole team is feeling so thankful for and inspired by the support we felt throughout the day. Thank you to all who attended and to everyone who continues to collaborate and support our research year-round.
Click this link to read the full recap and see more photos from the event!
| Assistant Professor Dr. Bryony Sands Featured on Across the Fence | UVM researchers are working tirelessly to understand how land can be better managed to reduce the risk of ticks on Vermont farms. Dr. Bryony Sands, UVM Extension Assistant Professor, is surveying pastures and collecting data to develop science-based strategies that protect both livestock and people. Sands is a member of our NWCS program team, and her season-long research project was featured on Across the Fence! Check out this footage from the field and learn about tick populations in Vermont. | | |
Automated Milking System Farm Tour and Discussion
Tuesday, August 19, 2025, 9:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Starting at Moo Acres Farm, 312 Church Rd., Fairfield, VT, and ending at Windy Hill Farm, 1525 Kittel Rd., Enosburg, VT.
This workshop is free and open to all farmers interested in learning more about AMS. Lunch to be included.
| | | When: August 20, 2025, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Where: Poulin Grain, 3916 US-5, Derby, VT 05829
Virtual Option | | When: August 27, 2025, 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Where: St. Albans Free Library, 1 Maiden Ln, St Albans City, 05471
Virtual Option | | When: September 3, 2025, 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Where: Brooks Memorial Library, 224 Main St, Brattleboro, 05301
Virtual Option | | |
High-quality Forages at Miller Farm
Thursday, August 28, 2025, 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Miller Farm, 1732 Ft. Bridgman Road, Vernon, VT
Learn all things forage at this on-farm field day at Miller Farm in Vernon, VT! The farm is a high-producing organic dairy, averaging 80 pounds per cow. Come see how they do it and hear why they’ve decided this model is a good fit for their farm business. Guest speakers include Dr. Heather Darby (UVM Extension), Sarah Flack (independent grazing consultant), Cheryl Cesario (American Farmland Trust), and Bill Kipp (Independent Dairy Consultants).
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Research Spotlight
2025 Winter Wheat Variety Evaluation Trial
Preliminary Results
It is already time to get ready for planting winter wheat. Each year, UVM Extension evaluates winter wheat varieties to determine those that will perform best here in Vermont. This year the project evaluated 44 varieties of winter wheat, including six varieties of soft white winter wheat, two varieties of hard white winter wheat, nine varieties of soft red winter wheat, and 27 varieties of hard red winter wheat. This year brought some cold and wet weather during the spring, however, hot and dry weather helped to bring a high-quality crop to harvest. Preliminary yield and quality results are shown in Table 1 in the full research report. Click here to read the full report.
The tallest variety was Sirvinta at 138 cm. Height can be advantageous to wheat in weed competition, but sometimes very tall varieties are prone to lodging. This year Sirvinta had no lodging, similar to eighteen other varieties with no lodging. The variety with the most lodging was Genessee Giant, with 76.7% lodging.
Test weight is the measure of grain density, which is determined by weighing a known volume of grain. The industry standard for wheat is 56-60 lbs bu-1. More than 60% of the varieties met the industry standard for test weight. The variety with the highest test weight was Viking 211 at 60.5 lbs bu-1.
More than half of the varieties had yields over two tons per acre (adjusted to 13.5% moisture content). The highest yielding variety was Blue River 844 with a yield of 6,236 lbs ac-1. The varieties IL16-8048 and IL17-23874 also yielded over 3 tons per acre (6100 and 6108 lbs ac-1 , respectively).
The ideal range for bread wheat is 12-15% crude protein, though some artisan bread bakers have found success working with wheat in the 10% to 12% range, depending on the end product. There were 13 varieties were within the ideal range for protein: Erisman, IL16-8048, Genessee Giant, ARS18W0682, VA16HRW-22, Arapahoe, Gold Coin, Brome, AC Morley, Turkey Red, Rouge d’Ecosse, Champlain, and Redeemer. Redeemer had the highest protein concentration at 13.6%. Only five varieties were below the minimum of 10% protein (Blue River 844, NY12512-1542, IL17-23874, Towpath, and NY12325).
Please visit our website to view past year trial results.
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This “percent of normal” July precipitation map highlights the drought conditions we’ve been experiencing across Vermont, with some areas even placed under a “very high” fire risk warning. These drier-than-normal conditions can cause stress or damage to crops, especially without supplemental irrigation. If you need support with drought management strategies, please reach out to your local UVM Extension agronomist.
Heather Darby, (802) 782-6054 or Heather.Darby@uvm.edu
Shawn Lucas, (802) 656-7546 or Shawn.Lucas@uvm.edu
This resource from the Northeast Regional Climate Center represents weather and climate data collected by the Applied Climate Information System (ACIS).
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This is the 2025 season outlook of Growing Degree Days (GDDs) in Alburgh, Vermont, the location of our program's research farm. As of August 15, this area has accumulated 1,795 GDDs. Increased water demand caused by high temperatures, combined with dry conditions in July and August, can cause crop damage. As we head into the remainder of the season, make sure to monitor crops for heat stress.
This graph was created by the Climate Smart Farming Growing Degree Day Calculator.
© Cornell University, 2016. Credits: Tool Developed by Art DeGaetano, Rick Moore, Brian Belcher & Ben Eck.
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Evaluating Cover Crop Varieties in Vermont and Beyond
Wondering which cover crop variety is best for your operation? See the results from the first year of data collection from the National Cover Crop Variety Testing Program!
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Steps for Silage Storage Success
Maximize the quality of your silage by following these storage tips from Amber Machia!
| | | A few hemp trials were mowed down last week, so field retting can begin. During field retting, the hemp stalks are laid on the ground in even sheets. Over time, the fibers will begin to loosen and separate, and the hemp will be ready to process. | | | Tomatoes are being harvested for our organic seed production project! These tomatoes are harvested, mashed, fermented, and then strained to collect the seeds. | | | |
UVM Extension NW Crops and Soils Program | Website
278 South Main Street, St. Albans, VT 05478 I 802-656-7610
For more information contact shannon.macdonald@uvm.edu
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| | Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture. University of Vermont Extension, Burlington, Vermont. University of Vermont Extension, and U.S. Department of Agriculture, cooperating, offer education and employment to everyone without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or familial status. | | | | |
