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www.uvm.edu/extension/cvcrops
http://blog.uvm.edu/cvcrops/
http://blog.uvm.edu/cvcrops/newsletter/
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Contact a Member of the TEAM!!
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UVM Extension Agronomist
(802) 388-4969 ext. 332
Agronomy Outreach
(802) 388-4969 ext. 338
Agronomy Outreach
(802) 388-4969 ext. 347
Grazing Outreach
(802) 388-4969 ext. 346
cheryl.cesario@uvm.edu
Dan Infurna
Research Field Technician
(802) 388-4969 ext. 337 daniel.infurna@uvm.eduKristin Williams
Agronomy Outreach (802) 388-4969 ext. 331 kristin.williams@uvm.edu
And A Warm Welcome
To Our New
Team Members!
Karen Gallot  Administrative Assistant(802) 388-4969karen.gallot@uvm.eduKaren has joined the Middlebury Extension office as our new Administrative Assistant. Next time you come in the front door, be sure and introduce yourself. She comes to us from the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum. She lives in New Haven and has a previous life as a tree fruit grower. Olivia Andreozzi  Agronomy Research Field Intern (802) 388-4969 oandreoz@uvm.eduOlivia will be a Junior at UVM in the fall studying Environmental Studies, Food Systems & Anthropology. She hails from the coast of Rhode Island and has jumped in with both feet helping us with our field data collection, soil sampling, and whatever else we throw her way! She's excited to learn more about farming in the Champlain Valley.
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CV Crop, Soil & Pasture Team
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UVM Extension helps individuals and communities put research-based knowledge to work.
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 FARM NEWS & EVENTS |
Advance Dairy Reproductive Management
DATE: July 16-17th, 2015
TIME: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
LOCATION: VT Technical College,
1 Main St, Randolph Center, VT
COST: $350
This course is designed to help farmers with artificial insemination skills further improve their dairy reproductive management skills. Students will learn methods of assessing herd reproductive performance using records, ways to manage the common diseases which affect reproductive performance and the pros and cons of several methods of pregnancy detection including blood testing, ultrasound and palpation strategies. This course will have several hours of practical farm laboratory. 8 hours lecture, 8 hours laboratory.
For registration or questions
CONTACT: Rachel Arsenault at rarsenault@vtc.edu or 802-728-1677 * * * * * * * * * * *
Managing Cows, Pasture & Nutrients
DATE: July 16th, 2015
TIME: 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. LOCATION: Spring Brook Farm, 3786 Vermont Route 100, Westfield, VT COST: $20, which includes lunch from NOFA's pizza oven This event is being hosted by NOFA-VT and Northwest Crops and Soils Team, "Summer Organic Dairy Series" and will specifically discuss how organic farming practices can be aligned for soil conservation and water quality, while also potentially promoting animal health and increasing farm profitability. Herd management, grazing and other practices with be discussed to best manage nutrients on the farm, particularly in light of water quality concerns facing the state. For more information, CONTACT: Sam Fuller at sam@nofavt.org or (802) 434-4122 ext. 14 or Susan Brouillette (802) 524-6501 ext 432, susan.brouillette@uvm.edu A pdf flyer of this event, and other events in the Summer Organic Dairy Series can be seen here: Summer Organic Series * * * * * * * * * * * Vermont Cheesemakers Festival DATE: July 17th, 2015
TIME: 10:00 a.m to 4 p.m.
LOCATION: Coach Barn, Shelburne Farms, Shelburne, VT
Cost: $50
This 6th annual event highlights artisan cheese producers throughout Vermont, along with other Vermont products. Workshops include topics on production, cheese pairings and cooking with cheese.
More information can be found at
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Northwest Crop & Soils Team Annual Field Day
DATE: July 24th, 2015TIME: 9:30 am to 3:30 pmLOCATION: Borderview Research Farm, 146 Line Rd, Alburgh, VT COST: Free for farmers, $25 non-farmers. Learn about the diverse research projects going on in North East VT. From hops to sunflowers, grains to cover crops, there is a lot to dig into. More information can be obtained by contacting Susan Brouillette at (802) 524-6501 ext 432 e-mail: susan.brouillette@uvm.edu Registration will be online, but the site is not accepting registrants yet. A pdf of the event can be seen by clicking here:
* * * * * * * * * * * Open Farm Week 2015
DATE: August 3-9th; Farmer's sign up by July 1st
LOCATION: Participating farms throughout Vermont.
COST: FREE
Dig In VT, A project of the VT Agriculture and Culinary Tourism Council, is coordinating this week-long event, which invites the general public onto farms. They are hoping to build an annual event that
engages both Vermonters and vacationers in building relationships with farmers and deepen interest in Vermont's working landscape. If you are a farmer and are interested in hosting people onto your farm, more information is available at
email: alyssa@vermontfresh.net
First Annual Breakfast On the Farm Event
DATE: August 22nd, Registration opens July 22nd TIME: 9 am - 1 pm LOCATION: Nea-Tocht Farm, Ferrisburgh, VT COST: Free, but you MUST pre-register "Breakfast on the Farm" events have been happening in other parts of the country and with sponsorship from the VT Agency of Agriculture it is now coming here. "The August 22 open farm will feature educational stations in different areas of the farm, which will give non farmers a peek into the operation not normally seen by the general public. From the cost of a tractor, to the need for robotics and the sound of a wind turbine, the "Breakfast on the Farm" event will be fun for the whole family and an educational experience that is unmatched." For more information, and to register, go to
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Ask ELSIE
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Q: Dear ELSIE...
What is RAP? It isn't just some sort of music kids these days are listening to? What does RAP have to do with water quality?
Answer :
Likely you've heard of Accepted Agricultural Practices (AAPs), which are set by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, and are designed to reduce non-point pollutant discharges. Required Agriculture Practices are the new name for these set of practices that are mandated by VT Law. The name was changed with the new water quality bill, H. 35 (Act 64), which passed this spring and was recently signed into law. This change is meant to emphasize something that was already in place: that the rules are a requirement, not just an 'accepted' practice. Many of the rules remain the same, including the winter spreading ban. So, what has changed other than the name?Previously the riparian buffer rules were different for small farms than they were for medium and large farms. The new RAPs have leveled that requirement. Now, regardless of farm size, all farms must have a 25 foot buffer from the top of the bank of streams. This is for perennially moving water bodies. Similarly, old rules allowed small farms to manage soils in a way that allowed for more erosion soil loss (twice the tolerable amount, what we refer to as "T"), measured and modeled by a NRCS Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE2). The new rules now require all farms, regardless of size, to manage soil loss to T, or half of what what formerly required. In addition, all ditches must now have a 10 ft buffer. In case you are wondering, this does include ditches created by town and state roads. If it conveys water to a stream, it now needs a buffer. These buffers can actually be mowed, but you cannot apply manure or commercial fertilizer to them. While a 10 ft buffer might be hard to mow, if you make your buffer a little wider you may be able to use it for hay production. The rules also prohibit stacking or piling manure, storing fertilizer or other nutrients in a manner which produces discharge to a water body, or within 200 ft of a private well, or of a water of the state (specific approval by the Secretary of Ag may allow for some discretion). The law prohibits the construction or siting of a farm structure for the storage of manure, fertilizer or pesticides within a floodplain (as determined by National Flood Insurance Program Map, on file with a town clerk). In addition to these rule changes by July 1, 2016 the Agency of Agriculture will be implementing a small farm certification process, the details of which are still being worked out. There are many other aspects of H.35, including new regulations around construction, roads, wetland and floodplain protection, and permitting for storm-water and waste-water. If you have any questions about how this new bill might affect your operation, or you would like assistance in determining how to make sure you are meeting the new requirements, we are here to help you! You should also consider talking with your local conservation district or NRCS office about funding availability to implement riparian buffers. UVM Extension - Middlebury802-388-4969Vermont Association of Conservation Districts802-496-5162USDA - Natural Resource Conservation Service802-951-6423
For more information you can also call the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets at
(802) 828-2430  To ask ELSIE your own question...you can email her HERE
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New! 2015 State of the Lake Report
The Lake Champlain Basin Program periodically releases a comprehensive report on the conditions of Lake Champlain. The last report was released in 2012. In discussions about water quality, many farmers ask about what and where data comes from that is cited as motivation for best management and regulation. The State of the Lake report is a very useful summary of many data sets, and is a invaluable resource in this discussion. Understanding what data comes from monitoring and what comes from modeling can help move the discussion forward. As a farmer, being informed about your watershed can help you more prepared when folks ask questions. The latest report can be viewed in segments or as pdf at http://sol.lcbp.org/ The phosphorus section should be of particular interest. The sections of the lake with the greatest phosphorus concentrations are Missisquoi Bay in the north, and South Lake, which encompasses part of the area our team serves. With the new focus on funding opportunities in McKenzie Brook, being informed is even more important. You can contact Lake Champlain Basin Program at 800-468-5227 with questions. Hard copies are available. ************************************* Funding for the Champlain Valley Crop, Soil & Pasture Team and the programs and resources we offer is provided by the following organizations: - Lake Champlain Basin Program
- USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service
- VT Agency of Natural Resources
- VT Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets
- USDA-Risk Management Agency
- USDA-National Institute of Food & Agriculture
- NE-SARE Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education
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. If you would no longer like to receive our e-newsletter, feel free to Unsubscribe by clicking the SafeUnsubscribe™ button at the bottom of this newsletter. Although, we hope you won't! Go paperless by subscribing to our newsletter online: http://blog.uvm.edu/cvcrops/newsletter/ If you would like to unsubscribe from the paper copy contact us.
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| News and Events
For Vermont Farmers in the Lake Champlain Watershed
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New Normal??
We have been talking about the new normal weather in Addison County. This year may be extremely wet compared to the long-term average, but now, it seems this is the new normal. I have written letters to support farmers in crop insurance claims 5 out of the last 6 years to review rain records and document problems with delayed planting, yellow drowned crops, and prevented harvests. This year will be another one. The 30 year average of 9.1" of rain from April through June in Middlebury has changed to more like 15" or 16". The question is how will you adapt to these changes in weather that seem to be here now and most likely will continue? Adding more nitrogen fertilizer to saturated fields with ponded water doesn't do much good when leaching and denitrification losses can be so high in a matter of days. Spreading manure in wet fields that suffer damage from wheel tracks and compaction is always a detriment to future productivity. So, how do farmers deal with all this rain? You need your soil to deal with the rain. A good healthy soil that can take in water and then slowly releases it over time after filtering out impurities such as phosphorus and E.coli bacteria that hurt water quality. Gee whiz, that's what we all want. So how do you get clay soil to take in water when it is so dense, so slow to take in water, and so unforgiving when it gets compacted by wheel traffic or pulverized for seed bed preparation such that all normal soil structure is lost? Soil structure, soil drainage, soil aggregation, organic matter, and soil respiration, all are part of the new buzz words "soil health". This year the benefit of properly installed tile drainage is dramatic in local fields that have been tiled. The benefit of no-till planting is seen with water moving into the ground instead of ponding in the top six inches. Go walk in a first year corn field after sod and then go into your third year corn field. What a difference that better soil structure makes from the dead roots of the sod (or cover crop) in the soil. If moving is not an option, then improving soil structure and reducing compaction is still the best goal. Along with this, the game has changed with so much more emphasis on Lake Champlain cleanup and the changes that will come as to how farmers handle nutrients and soil to keep them out of the streams and ditches. As farmers respond to these demands on changing to save the lake, it comes through loud and clear that solving one problem often creates another. Reduce nutrients and crops don't grow as well endangering the farm business, grow less corn and more grain gets imported into the state, install tile drainage to reduce soil erosion and water quality may suffer from increased dissolved phosphorus. Each farm will need to decide what they can do to reduce their contribution to the lake pollution issue. As more farmers join in the discussions at the farmer coalition meetings, at the local farmer field meetings, at the sales counter at local businesses, and in the dooryard with neighbors, you will tell us what the best choices for your farm are. The state and EPA may say it has to be done, but you still have the power to say how it will be done to save your farm business, and to save your family heritage. Get involved with these farmer meetings discussing what to do about the lake. Jeff Carter UVM Extension Agronomy Specialist http://www.uvm.edu/extension/cvcrops |
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COVER CROP CORNER
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Sponge or Stone: Cover Crops & Wet Weather
by Kirsten Workman
On the heels of the tumultuous start to our 2015 growing season, a timely report just came out from the National Wildlife Federation, titled "Can Soil Save Us? Making the Case for Cover Crops as Extreme Weather Risk Management." The author, P.A. White, highlights all the ways cover crops help farmers and their larger communities better handle extreme weather events, be they too wet or too dry. While we sit here extremely waterlogged in the northeast on July first, many parts of the country are in the middle of a serious, and in some cases multiple year, drought. This report highlights how cover crops help farmers combat both situations. You have heard from us by now that organic matter and soil structure are the keys to good soil health. But can it also be good for flood and drought resiliency and our economy? You bet. I will focus on the benefits of cover cropping when there is a water surplus, for obvious reasons. However, there are just as many reasons cover crops can be utilized to combat drought.
Cover Crops as Risk Management: Infiltration is KEY
While cover crops are by no means new technology, they have become a lost art that is being relearned by modern farmers. They have become increasingly important as our farming systems have created more and more opportunities for soil compaction and soil degradation. As the report summarizes, cover crops have many benefits:
"Cover crops help improve soil health by reducing compaction, increasing water filtration and retention and improving soil organic matter. Much like a healthy person having a stronger immune system, healthy soil is less susceptible to impacts from extreme weather events and better able to recover after."
Cover crops can actually prevent some of the damages created by 'too much rain' and flooding. Degraded and compacted soils actually promote runoff, while healthy soils with good structure and high organic matter promote infiltration. As one Colorado potato farmer, Brendon Rockey, puts it; after 20 years of cover cropping his soil is different, "acting like a sponge instead of a stone." One University of Minnesota Study (2005) indicates that if we can decrease runoff from farm fields by 10 percent within a watershed, we can reduce 2-5 year flood peaks by 25 to 50 percent and 100-year floods by 10 percent. Water infiltration and storage in farm fields could be a vital community service that farms can provide in high rainfall years and extreme flooding events like Hurricane Irene.
As our climate intensifies, it is especially important for farmers to be able to handle both flood and drought. Soils with higher organic matter and good soil structure actually have better water infiltration and better water storage - enabling them to handle both ends of the spectrum. For me it is about reducing the 'flashiness' of our farming systems. We already know that crops and pasture grow better under consistent conditions (consistently good, that is). By improving our soil health, we are aiming to get rid of many of the peaks and valleys of water availability, soil temperatures, and nutrient cycles.
Healthy soils = Healthy Farms = Healthy Communities and Ecosystems
Costs
The report highlights many of the costs of extreme weather events including production losses, crop insurance payments, flood insurance, disaster relief, increased food prices and more. Could investing $37 per acre in planting a cover crop help reduce the billions of dollars spent every year on these things? It likely could. It would mean investing in preventative measures instead of costly reactive measures. Soil scientists, agriculture professionals and policy makers from around the US recently set a national goal of 20 million acres under cover crops by 2020. That would represent just a quarter of the acres of corn grown every year, and would cost $740 million annually. On the flip side, drought and flooding cost the country billions of dollars every year. From a production standpoint, even if you only see a one ton per acre yield improvement, an $11,000 investment on 300 acres of cover cropped corn silage land could yield a $15,000 return. This doesn't even quantify the value of improved soil health.
Use in Vermont
In Vermont, farmers who have been growing cover crops on heavy clay soils are finding they are able to plant earlier in the spring because they dry out sooner. On sandier soils they are noticing less drought stress. Additionally, farmers are better able to utilize fall and spring manure nutrients and observe less soil erosion. Overall, cover cropped fields have been producing good crop yields.
While the report focuses solely on the benefits of cover cropping, I believe in the northeast we need to look at big picture systems to get there. When combining reduced tillage, cover crops, and good manure nutrient management, we will see improvements more quickly and more impressively. Let's continue to capture the benefits of having healthy, productive farms and what it can mean to our community's ability to be more resilient in the face of extreme weather events.
To read the full report, visit the National Wildlife Federation's website:
http://www.nwf.org/~/media/PDFs/Water/2015/Drought-and-Flood-Report-Final.pdf
To learn more about climate trends in Vermont, visit the Vermont Climate Assessment:
http://vtclimate.org/
Have Cover Crop Questions?
contact Kirsten any time:
(802)388-4969 x347
kirsten.workman@uvm.edu
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GRAZING GREENER
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by Cheryl Cesario
It is a challenging year on pasture to be sure (winter kill, drought and flooding all in a 3 month window). Are you wondering about the quality of your pasture with all the rain and cloudy weather? Dairy One has launched a new 'Pasture Management Package' that allows you to test a pasture throughout the growing season and includes three forage sample kits plus one soil testing kit. The forage analysis includes dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), rumen degradable protein (RDP), ADF, NDF, lignin, water soluble carbohydrates (WSC), simple sugars (ESC), minerals (Ca, P, Mg, K, S), and milk lbs/ton DM. Cost for the entire kit is $75.00. Contact forage@dairyone.com to order. Or if you just want to take a couple samples from different pastures, let us know and we can help you collect and submit those.
If you are looking at some areas on your pastures that have taken a beating from animal impact on wet heavy soils, the no-till drill may be a good way to fill in those heavy use areas when things dry out a bit. There are a lot of options depending on whether you are looking for the cheapest route (small grain) or whether you want to try something adventurous (brassica or tillage radish). Call us if you want to utilize the drill this summer or fall or talk about some seeding options.
Frost Seeding Finally Germinating
We've started checking out our frost seeding trial plots from April and have been seeing some promising results. Trials were conducted at 9 sites, covering a total of 46 acres (all using a hand-cranked broadcast seeder!). In the next two weeks we'll be revisiting all the sites to scout out what's growing. Orchard grass, perennial ryegrass, meadow fescue, a pasture mix, a clover mix, trefoil and chicory were all included in our trials. One goal is to see how well the different grasses establish through frost seeding as this could be a great way to help fill in winter killed areas especially when mixed with legumes such as clover and trefoil. We'll be looking at what's the best mix to achieve a good catch and provide diversity while also staying economical.
Have questions about how to optimize your pastures, and hopefully survive this wet weather? You can contact Cheryl Cesario at (802) 388-4969 ext 346, or e-mail cheryl.cesario@uvm.edu
Common Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) in Pastures
by Nate Severy
Dandelion is a broadleaf perennial and is a member of the daisy family. It grows from its crown and does not produce a stem, leaving its leaves to form a rosette on the soil surface. Its dark green leaves are divided into tooth-like lobes that point back towards the base, giving it its nickname "lion's tooth". It also produces a taproot that can extend several feet into to the soil. It grows in many soil conditions, but prefers well drained soil with minimal competition. This characteristic makes dandelions good indicators of low plant populations in fields or lawns.
Dandelion reproduces primarily in the spring with a second flush in the fall, although it will reproduce in summer if conditions are favorable. It will send up a stalk with a flower head that will be comprised of 100 to 300 individual flowers, which look very similar to flower petals. Even though dandelion is a favorite food source for many insects, the seeds develop apomictically - without being fertilized. The flower opens in the morning and closes in the evening. After several days the flower opens again with each seed having an attached "parachute"- a cluster of hairs called a "pappus" that enables the seeds to be dispersed via wind. Wind velocities of as little as 4 mph can keep seeds suspended. The seeds can germinate year-round. Dandelions can also reproduce through their taproot. If the taproot is broken, any remaining pieces in the soil are capable of becoming new plants.
 Dandelion can be a troublesome weed due to the fact that it is a heavy feeder and competes with other plants for nutrients. While this makes the leaves very nutritious for humans and livestock, it can reduce overall stand vigor. Dandelions are very palatable; livestock greatly enjoy consuming them, and they should not be considered an issue in a low-production pasture. However, it can reduce plant vigor in high management pastures and hay fields, and it can reduce the drying rate of hay. Dandelion is also used for medicinal purposes, cooked or eaten raw in salads, and used to make teas.
Established dandelion can be a difficult weed to control. Glyphosate can be effective in the fall if the air temperature is above 50 degrees, but is minimally effective on established plants in the spring and summer. Fall applications of 2,4-D or Dicamba is effective in controlling dandelions, but cannot be used in fields where alfalfa or other broadleaves are desired. Light mechanical cultivation such as harrows or cultivators can disperse the roots, exacerbating the problem in future years. However, it can greatly weaken the plant and in conjunction with chemical herbicides can be a very effective control method. Moldboard plowing is an effective management tool as well. In fields where dandelions are not a problem, landowners can deter dandelions from establishing by practicing good forage management. Proper fertilization, increased cutting height, and maintaining a high stand density will all help in preventing dandelions from establishing.
More Information Can Be Found At:
University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program, Dandelion: http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/WEEDS/dandelion.html
Pennsylvania State University, Common Dandelion:
http://extension.psu.edu/pests/weeds/weed-id/common-dandelion
University of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension, Dandelion:
http://fyi.uwex.edu/weedsci/2002/11/12/dandelion/
Nate Severy can be reached at (802)388-4969 ext 348 or
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SOIL HEALTH
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Successful Establishment of No-Till Alfalfa
Establishing alfalfa is an expensive undertaking. Producers commonly plow, disc, and harrow several times to get a level, fine seedbed. While it is effective to plant the seed at the proper depth, this method is expensive, time-consuming, and leaves the soil susceptible to erosion. No-till seeding can eliminate the costly and time-consuming field preparation necessary for seeding down alfalfa. Successful no-till planting depends on thorough planning and a properly set-up no-till drill. Timing is also crucial. Like conventional alfalfa seeding, early spring and late summer are best when there is adequate soil moisture. The early planting window is past this year, but the late summer window is still an option, and it is not too early to start planning for next spring. 
Plan Ahead
Alfalfa likes soil pH values in the 6.5-7.5 range. If your soil shows you need lime, it is best to incorporate it with previous crops to correct the pH as deep as possible. Phosphorus and potassium can be banded at planting with a grain drill that has a fertilizer box. The preceding crop or cover crop will influence the timing of the planting. Winter killed or herbicide killed cover crops allow for early spring seeding. An early first cut in years when soil moisture is good could provide a planting window; however planting and herbicide application need to happen in a short amount of time for a successful seeding. After small grain harvest is another option, usually in the first half of August. The straw should be baled off to allow the drill to work properly.
Use the Right Machine
Conventional alfalfa seeders, such as Brillion seeders, are not capable of no-till planting alfalfa. The drill should have a small seed box and be able to plant shallow at a maximum of ½" deep, but still have enough down pressure to maintain consistent seed depth. The closing wheel should be able to cover the seed in a no-till system.
Points to remember:
- Plan on early spring (April 15-May 15) or late summer (August 1- 5) for no-till alfalfa establishment,
- Plan one year ahead for adjusting pH and nutrient levels.
- Make sure an adequate no-till drill is available for the seeding.
- Seeding rates should be 12-16lbs/acre when planted alone, or 8-12 lbs/acre when planted in a mix.
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CHAMPLAIN VALLEY FARMER COALITION
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Water Quality Updates: Watershed Targeting
by Nate Severy
There has been a lot going on in the world of water quality the past few months. The governor signed into law ACT 64, the Vermont Clean Water Act. In the agricultural section of this bill, the Agency of Agriculture will create a small farm certification program similar to what is required for MFOs and LFOs, revise the AAP's (which will now be the RAP's, REQUIRED Agricultural Practices), increase enforcement capabilities, provide funding for more farm inspectors, and more.
The full bill can be found at:
http://legislature.vermont.gov/assets/Documents/2016/Docs/ACTS/ACT06/ACT064%20As%20Enacted.pdf
The Champlain Valley Farmer Coalition has also been involved with the NRCS Targeted Watershed Planning process. The NRCS has identified three areas in the Champlain Valley where they are going to dedicate time, outreach efforts, and millions of dollars towards water quality improvement projects. These three priority watersheds will be the Mississiquoi River, St Albans Bay, and McKenzie Brook. On June 25th, the CVFC and UVM Extension held a watershed meeting in the McKenzie Brook watershed (the area encompassed from just north of Crown Point and then south to just below the Owell/Shoreham town line) to discuss and inform local farmers about what is going on and what to expect in the future.
We encourage farmers across the Champlain Valley to become engaged and involved in the Farmer Coalition. Please visit our website, http://www.champlainvalleyfarmercoalition.com/
where you can learn  more, find the date for our next board of directors meeting, and access our online store to become a member! You can find our membership application HERE. It is a valuable way to stay informed, be proactive, and add
your voice to the discussion. Feel free to call Nate Severy at (802) 388-4969 ext 348
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CROP INSURANCE SPOTLIGHT
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Highlights and Deadlines
by Jake Jacobs, Crop Insurance Education Coordinator
You may be lucky enough to find a 4-leaf clover, but counting on luck isn't a very reliable way to manage risk on your farm. If you suffer a significant crop loss due to excessively wet conditions or some other unexpected weather problem, can your farm business withstand those losses? You decide on a deductible amount for your car insurance - that is, you decide on the amount of risk you're willing to pay yourself. Beyond that, you count on your insurance to kick in. You can think about crop insurance in a similar way - financial assistance when your losses are greater than the amount of risk you are able to cover yourself.
The 2014 Farm Bill brought some changes to crop insurance programs and one new option is the Whole-Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP) program. This "new and improved" protection covers all farm commodities, including animal and animal products revenue, and commodities purchased for resale (limit up to 50% of total expected revenue). Coverage levels are from 50 to 85% of expected revenue. It also covers natural causes of loss and declining market prices within the insurance year. Premium subsidies vary from 55% to 80%, so the farmer's cost is only 45% to 20% of the actual cost. This might be just the right crop insurance fit for your farm.
Presently the USDA Risk Management Agency is doing some fine-tuning on details of the WFRP for 2016 and these changes will be announced by the beginning of September. Look for information about WFRP this summer.
If you have experienced crop loss and/or are planning to replant, please contact your crop insurance agent first.
FSA Upcoming Deadline - July 15th
Crop Certification Report
All producers are encouraged to visit their local FSA office to file an accurate crop certification report. Crop reporting should include acreage of corn planted or prevented from being planted, and the dates along with any new hay seedings. This deadline also applies to a perennial forage crop that is only used as cover only, green manure, is left standing or grown for seed. This deadline does not directly apply to a crop that has not yet been planted, in which case it should be reported within 15 calendar days of planting; if additional land is purchased or leased after this deadline then relevant crops should be reported within 30 calendar days of acquisition.
USDA Announced Open Enrollment Period for Dairy Margin Protection Program (DMPP)
Starting July 1, 2015 and running until September 30, 2015, farmers can enroll in the Dairy Margin Protection Program for coverage in 2016. "The voluntary program, established by the 2014 Farm Bill, provides financial assistance to participating dairy operations when the margin - the difference between the price of milk and feed costs - falls below the coverage level selected by the farmer. The Margin Protection Program gives participating dairy producers the flexibility to select coverage levels best suited for their operation."
If you would like more information about this program, the press release can be found in full here: http://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/newsReleases?area=newsroom&subject=landing&topic=ner&newstype=newsrel&type=detail&item=nr_20150629_rel_0191.html
The online farmer decision tool can be found here: http://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/pages/content/farmBill/fb_MPPDTool.jsp
If you have questions about crop insurance or the DMPP you may contact
Jake Jacobs, Crop Insurance Education Coordinator, UVM
(802) 377-5858 or e-mail: jake.jacobs@uvm.edu
We recommend contacting your local FSA office: VT FSA by county
In Addison County: (802) 388-6748, press 8
 
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FROM THE FIELD
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Quantifying Success
by Kristin Williams
The rush of the field season has hit us since the last newsletter, and we were busy collecting data on cover crop trials from last fall. In particular, we collected over 250 forage samples in the span of a couple weeks, for analysis of winter cover crop nutrient uptake. We also collected hundreds of soil samples. We were also busy collecting data such as soil temperature, moisture and compaction before farmers planted their fields. We will be working on deciphering what much of this data means as research continues. In the mean time, check out the pictures below. Preliminary results suggest that the addition of particular brassicas and legumes to winter rye can lead to greater spring biomass.
A theme that has come up recently in conversations with farmers and agronomists is how to determine how farm management practices are affecting soil health. There are a number of ways to measure soil health, and some of them may be more relevant than others for your particular circumstance. Clay soil presents an interesting challenge because it may behave differently in the field than it does with lab analysis, particularly when it comes to soils that are compacted or poorly drained. Right now we are doing comparisons among different kinds of soil measures and analyses. We will be continuing to explore what is the most useful and practical for farmers, but in the mean time if you are doing any unique or new practices on your farm and want help figuring out how to measure your soil before and after, please contact us! It is best to take baseline measurements before you change a practice, or to have a similar field with a contrasting practice.
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Picture taken on 4/30/15. You can see winter rye, which had been drilled and planted with crimson clover and rapeseed. Crimson clover did not overwinter. However, this seeding created more biomass than winter rye drilled by itself, even though the winter rye in a mix was seeded at half the rate. Another planting of winter rye with Austrian winter pea and forage turnip also provided more biomass than winter rye alone. These are not statistically replicated studies, but we will be doing this demonstration project again this fall and creating a final fact-sheet next year. For next year we are also looking at mixing winter killed oats, which did show promise, with winter rye. Not surprisingly, mixes that contained winter rye did better than mixes that contained winter wheat or winter triticale.
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A *small* collection of cover crop samples to be dried and analyzed.
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Residue left from a winter kill mix of annual rye grass, Austrian winter pea, and tillage radish. This mix did well in the fall when broadcast early, better in fact than early broadcasting of winter rye. However it does not provide spring growth. The winter peas did not survive very well.
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If you know someone else who might be interested in receiving
this  newsletter, please share it and encourage them to join our mailing list. Meanwhile, please call if you have an interest in helping us move forward with selecting projects that you feel are important to you. We are learning more about how soil health is so critical to your farm profitability and will protect the lake water quality. We just need to be sure any moves toward reduced tillage and more soil cover are based on good field data.
Jeff Carter,
Extension Agronomist
UVM Extension- Champlain Valley Crop, Soil & Pasture Team
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