2009 On-Farm Research Projects

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A competitive proposal is one that matches up with the call for proposals. Once those criteria are met, sound proposals can spark the interest of reviewers in many ways. A proposal gets noticed when it shows that the project leaders are aware of what information already exists and where there is an information gap. For example, the leaders of project OS09-045 acknowledged that SARE projects have repeatedly addressed internal parasites in small ruminants through managment techniques such as forage choice and rotational grazing, but they pointed out that small farms often don't have the acreage to adequately practice rotational grazing. They suggest looking more closely at breeding for parasite resistance, a scale-neutral technique. Furthermore by working with the National Sheep Improvement Program the producers already have protocol for determining resistance in lambs; they now they will be evaluating ewes to add to the body of knowledge. Similarly, project OS09-046 acknowledges SARE research done at NCSU on grafting heirloom tomatoes for disease resistance. The project takes that research a couple of steps farther, seeking to find out whether grafting will work on real farms where disease is known to exist in the Western part of the state.

Reviewers also notice proposals that are based on a solution that has worked on a small scale and want to see if it will work on a large scale.. A Kentucky extension agent helped a few tobacco farmers successfully and profitably grow one season's worth of sweet potato. Their success brought so many inquiries from other farmers that it led to a SARE project OS09-047 to try it on a larger scale that would also conduct research aimed at determing the best production and marketing practices for other Kentucky farmers looking to try sweet potatoes as they diversify from tobacco. Similarly in Oklahoma one farmer is successfully growing teff, a premium-priced grain highly sought in the health-food and immigrant markets. Teff also has low fertility needs and no known pests. It wasn't difficult to interest reviewers in funding trialst of seven varieties of teff for adaptability and yield on some other Oklahoma farms. Keep up with project OS09-048 to how the varieties perform.

Proposals that address practical needs in a developing agricultural industry have an urgency that reviewers can't' ignore. Take the grazing dairy industry in Georgia. The proposal for project OS09-049 pointed out that 15 new grazing dairies have started up recently while conventional dairies are going out of business. However there is no reliable formula to predict milk production based on irrigated pasture in the southeast. The project leaders proposed SARE fund an evaluation of different common southeastern forages for expected animal performance on a north Georgia dairy and a south Georgia dairy. Since data was collected all last year for previous non-SARE funded research, two years of data will be available to the SARE project and will double the amount of samples that will contribute to the spreadsheet..

Low-tech novel approaches to persistent problems often find SARE On-Farm grants a likely funding source. Consider the proposition of managing soil borne disease by adding organic amendments to a garden row, wetting it down and then covering with impermeable plastic until bacteria is killed off. This simple method has a good track record in the Netherlands. Project OS09-050. is testing whether the method will work on organic strawberries in North Carolina.

Keep up with all these projects by reading progress reports which are posted online each April. Just click on Projects and follow the link to the data base.

OS09-045 Identifying ewes resistant to gastrointestinal parasitic worms during gestation and lactation

This study will determine the feasibility of identifying peri-parturient (late gestation and lactation) ewes with low fecal egg counts (FEC) during her key production phase. This is one component of the solution to help sheep producers control parasites in warm moist regions of the US. Animal resistance to parasitic worms is the ability to resist infection of the abomasum (stomach) when exposed to infective larvae. This is evaluated in the animal by conducting FEC on the ewe at key points in late pregnancy and early lactation. Sheep with lower numbers of nematode eggs in their feces, when exposed to infective larvae are thought to be more resistant than sheep with higher FEC. The producers involved in the project raise Katahdin sheep, a hardy hair breed of sheep raised for meat and determined to be moderately resistant to parasites (Wildeus, 1997; Burke et al., 2002, 2004; Vanimisetti et al., 2004). Producers in this study participate in the NSIP project for identifying lambs resistant to parasitic worms.

The second stage of this project will be evaluation of the results to determine the genetic component of resistance to nematodes during the peri-parturient period. Producers have flocks that are related genetically among farms included and will identify ewes that maintain low FEC during the peri-parturient period. This will be evaluated using NSIP. A selection protocol for identifying genetics for both parasite resistance in the young lamb and in ewes during gestation and lactation will be developed.

Initial work in one flock (J. Morgan) indicates there can be extreme differences in the magnitude of the peri-parturient rise or increase in FEC around lambing time. Some ewes have low FEC through out the period (< 200 eggs/g) while others start high (5000 eggs/g) and remain high. The same can be observed in lambs. Fecal egg counts and level of anemia can vary among offspring from sires that are resistant or susceptible to parasites, which resulted in more necessary deworming in offspring from the susceptible sire (and more fecal egg output to pasture; Burke and Miller, 2008).

Sheep seedstock producers in the US have access to a program to identify genetics for parasite resistance in the lamb (NSIP). At this point, there is no evaluation program to identify parasite resistance in the ewe during gestation and lactation. Sheep with genetics for resistance to parasitic worms are a value-added product. These genetics can be marketed to other producers raising lambs for market. While this projected is focused on one breed of sheep, the Katahdin, the results will be applicable to other breeds and goats.

Joan Burke
USDA,
Agricultural Research Service
6883 S. State Hwy. 23
Booneville , AR 72927
Ph: 479-675-3834 ext. 325
Fax: 479-675-2940
Email: joan.burke@ars.usda.gov

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OS09-046 Grafting Heirloom Tomatoes on Disease Resistant Rootstock in Western North Carolina

Grafting vegetables is a technique that has been used since the 1930s for control of fusarium wilt in watermelons (Murata and Ohara, 1936). Grafting is a common technique utilized in Asia and parts of Europe and is used for the management of a variety of diseases on cucurbits and solanaceous crops (Ioannou, 2001; Rivero, 2003). In addition, grafting with highly vigorous rootstock has allowed growers to decrease the number of plants on a per hectare basis and still gain increased yields (Besri, 2005). Grafting has also shown to be effective at helping plant overcome abiotic stressors and nutrient uptake for certain macro- and micro- nutrients (i.e. calcium, phosphorus, iron) are greater in certain combinations of grafted plants (Ruiz, 1996; Leonardi, 2006).

Despite the long history of successful use of grafting to control various diseases on various hosts worldwide, the technique has not been widely accepted in the United States. The lack of adoption of grafting may be due to more extensive farm operations, methyl bromide exemptions, and perceived costs of grafting and lack of research in specific areas of the U.S. (King et al, 2008). At North Carolina State University, researchers have been studying grafted tomatoes for the past few years. Dr. Frank Louws and Dr. Mary Peet, along with graduate students have been studying the success of grafting heirloom tomato varieties onto disease resistant rootstock. These trials have been successful in eastern and central NC however there has been little on-farm research in WNC. It is important that grafting trials take place in WNC because soilborne disease problems have increased in the past few years possibly due to flooding of fields during hurricanes.

By identifying appropriate disease resistant rootstock and grafting the desirable, heirloom varieties upon them, it is possible that organic, heirloom production can be sustainable even in infested fields. It is important that the proposed grafting trials take place in WNC to determine if grafting is a successful soilborne disease management technique, to compare costs and time requirements of grafting plants to traditional transplant production, as well as to encourage and educate the farming community about grafting as an alternative management practice.

In addition, it has been shown that herbaceous, grafted plants are more efficient in their micro- and macronutrient uptake. Grafted heirloom varieties would be planted at Full Sun Farm to demonstrate whether or not the grafted plants have increased vigor and increased yield in the absence of soilborne disease pressure. This aspect would be an important addition to the project in order to evaluate the economic viability of grafted transplants.

There are not many options available to organic growers for the control of soilborne diseases. Choosing resistant rootstock is a novel and relatively easy way to manage soilborne disease problems. Developing the grafting technique and identifying appropriate rootstock choices for the region is a necessity for the sustainability of heirloom tomato crops in WNC.

Susan Colucci
NC Cooperative Ext. Service- Henderson County
740 Glover St
Hendersonville , NC 28792-4470
Ph: 828.697.4891
Fax: 828.697.4581
Email: sue_colucci@ncsu.edu

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OS09-047 Sweetpotatoes: A profitable crop for small farms in rural Eastern Kentucky

We propose to develop production and marketing strategies using sweetpotatoes as a profitable crop for Eastern Kentucky farmers. This project will:

1. Promote sweetpotatoes as an alternative crop that will help farmers become more economically sustainable, using strategies suited for small limited resource farms.
2. Develop a sustainable market for sweetpotatoes.

This project will concentrate on SARE On-Farm Research Grant Proposal focus areas 2 and 4, developing alternative crops and sustainable marketing projects.

It has been difficult to introduce vegetable production to farms in Eastern Kentucky. Attempts at vegetable production in Kentucky often fail due to undercapitalization. Farmers often do not invest the labor and materials required for successful vegetable production resulting in poor crops and inadequate returns. Sweetpotatoes have low input costs, particularly if farmers produce their own slips, and less intensive management than crops such as tomatoes. In the summer of 2008, the Morgan County KY Extension Program provided funds to purchase sweetpotato slips for farmers to grow small plots of sweetpotatoes. The participating farmers (Keith Hall, Gerald Shawler, Bill Holbrook) were pleased with the crop they were able to produce. All agreed that they would like to try several different management strategies to improve the uniformity of the crop. All three farmers agreed that sweetpotatoes were not labor intensive, and could be harvested without hiring additional labor. There has been a lot of interest in Morgan and surrounding counties regarding the small sweetpotato project conducted this summer. The county agent, Sarah Fannin, has fielded many inquiries from farmers in growing sweetpotatoes (personal communications). If funded we could conduct the necessary production research to promote production of sweetpotatoes as a profitable alternative to tobacco in East Kentucky.

The ability to produce and outstanding crop does nothing unless the farmer is able to sell it for a profit. Therefore, the most appropriate marketing methods for sweetpotatoes should be determined. There are several potential venues for marketing sweetpotatoes in East Kentucky. In the past 5 years three produce auctions have been established. They sell to local resellers, small wholesalers, and restaurants. Auction prices for sweetpotatoes averaged $7-9 per ½ bushel (mixed USDA #1 and #2) in limited offerings in 2008. Average terminal wholesale prices for USDA #1 and #2 sweetpotatoes were $18 and $12 for a 40 lb carton (3/4 bushel), respectively. Despite competitive wholesale prices, very few of the farmers that are interested in growing sweetpotatoes could produce the volume that would warrant a wholesale contract. Therefore, produce auctions represent a marketing outlet for some small farms. Growers could also sell at farmers' markets or roadside stands, even local festivals. One of the farmers (Keith Hall) that grew sweetpotates this year reported earning between $20-24 a bushel ($9600/acre) when selling at local markets. Demand was so great that many people called him to place orders. He sold his entire crop in two weeks.

Timothy Coolong
University of Kentucky
N-318 Ag. Sciences North
Department of Horticulture
Lexington , KY 40546-0091
Ph: 859 257-3374
Fax: none
Email: timcoolong@uky.edu

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OS09-048 Teff: An Alternative Crop for Oklahoma

The problem requires conducting on station and on-farm research on teff for good yielding and adaptable varieties with appropriate management practices. This is very important as the management required to grow the crop varies with soil type and other physical conditions. In this on farm study, several varieties of teff will be evaluated for adaptation and yield in Oklahoma. Verities tested in other states such as Oregon, Washington and Idaho plus some new lines stored in US Germplasm Repository will be evaluated.

Soil fertility, weed management, and cropping sequences need to be determined as part of the recommendation package. However, in this one year study fertility study will be considered. With simultaneous on-station trials from other funding sources we will identify appropriate weed management and cropping systems. This first phase will be followed by marketing and product development.

In summary, we hypothesize that identifying well-performing teff varieties with appropriate fertility package for Oklahoma will enhance farmer profitability and allow crop diversification in Oklahoma subsequently contributing to sustainability. We hypothesize that teff can be a substitute crop in water stress production systems and it is possible to reduce risk of farming by increasing crop options specifically since teff is a dual purpose crop and fast in growth and tolerant to moisture stress.

Objectives

The goal of this study is to add diversity of crops and create economic opportunities by adding teff in the cropping system for small farmers in Oklahoma and neighboring states. The specific objectives are to:

1. Evaluate the adaptation, suitability and grain and forage yield of teff varieties
2. Develop nutrient requirement of selected teff varieties and soils
3. Demonstrate varieties and management package to farmers

Kefyalew Desta
Oklahoma State University
Plant and Soil Sciences
368 Agriculture Hall
Stillwater , OK 74078
Ph: 405-744-4667
Fax: 405-744-5269
Email: kefyalew.desta@okstate.edu

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OS09-049 Forage quality budgets to optimize milk production on grazing dairies

Milk production by dairy cows is a function of amount of consumed forage and efficiency of conversion to animal product. Efficiency of conversion is a complex energy partitioning process. The best method to determine how forages are converted into animal products involves expensive and tedious animal studies. Animal studies require feeding forage, collecting excrement, quantifying heat lost , and capturing gases (primarily methane) to measure energy intake and energy lost (Blaxter, 1971). The difference between energy intake and energy loss is the energy available to the animal for maintenance, growth, and lactation.

The experimental complexity of conducting energy studies are not practical for grazing systems research because of the near infinite matrix of forage species, forage maturity, and selected diets that affect energy availability for animal performance. Energy studies also require large amounts (tons) of forage to conduct the required feeding study to partition the energy availability of the forage. Fortunately, there are methods capable of predicting animal performance if consuming forage of a known chemical content. Chemical analyses are standardized and require small amounts of forage (gram quantities) (Van Soest et al., 1991). The analyses are based upon the fact that each plant component (fiber, starch, protein, ash) varies in digestibility and, thus, vary in amount of energy they provide for grazing livestock. Cellular components of forages are ranked for digestion as: sugars= starch = protein > fat > pectin > cellulose > hemicellulose > lignin. Immature plants are rich in sugars, starch, protein, and fat but have less pectin, cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. Sugars, starch, and protein are considered 100% digestible; thus are the most energy efficient for conversion to animal product (Weiss, 1978; Conrad et al., 1993). The amount of forage that potentially can be consumed is a function of the indigestible cell wall fraction. Analyzing indigestible cell wall is also a relatively simple laboratory method (Ellis, 1978; Ruiz et al., 1995). Thus, chemical methods can be used to predict both the amount of forage consumption and the efficiency of conversion to milk.

Because chemical methods can be used to predict consumption and lactation (Conrad et al., 1984; Ellis, 1978; Holmes et al., 2007; Weiss, 1978) and because only gram quantities of forage are necessary to conduct the chemical analyses (Van Soest et al., 1991), chemical methods of predicting lactation provide a logistical means by which we can estimate lactation for the large numbers of samples that have been generated from our on-farm forage trials. In doing so, we will be able to complete our forage production spreadsheet to include expected animal performance (i.e. milk production). Note: A mathematical modification of the energy partitioning can be made to predict beef production as well. Thus, the data generated will have application to value added products such as grass fed beef, but the immediate focus of this project is to provide support to the dairy industry.

Perennial peanut, bahiagrass, bermudagrass, perennial ryegrass, tall fescue, festulolium, white and red clover, alfalfa, chickory, cereal rye, triticale, wheat, oats, and annual ryegrass, were established at two grazing dairies in fall 2007. One dairy is located in the northern Georgia Coastal Plain (Wrens, GA) and the other in the southern Georgia Coastal Plain (Pavo, GA). Both dairies utilize supplemental irrigation when soil moisture falls below 40% of available water. The two sites were selected because they represent the most diverse growing conditions for grazing-based dairies in Georgia. Plots were harvested at 10 and 20 day intervals throughout fall, winter, spring, and summer of 2008/2009, forage samples dried in an oven, and dry weights recorded. Cereal rye, triticale, wheat, oats, and annual ryegrass plots have been re-established this fall (2008) and will be harvested again this year. Monthly growth rates and yields have been calculated for each species using the 2008 harvest data and the data entered into a forage spread sheet. The spread sheet is designed so a producer can select a forage species, assign acreage to the forage, and the forage growth rate and yield of the acreage will automatically be calculated. Additional forages can be selected, acreages assigned, and yields and growth rates of those forages also calculated. By conducting an iterative process of selecting forages and acreages, producers can now calculate a monthly forage budget. They can also enter in the number of dry and lactating cows and the forage spreadsheet will automatically calculate periods of deficits and surplus that producers can plan around by harvesting excess forage (during periods of surplus) and feeding it back to the herd (during periods of deficit). Data from the 2009 harvests will be used to confirm and/or modify the yield distribution growth and yield data to be used in our forage systems spread sheet.

All harvested forage samples will be ground to pass a 1-mm sieve and 20 g of forage reserved for analysis. Samples will be scanned using near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy, and calibrated from chemical analyses for protein, fat, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, lignin and using the methods of Van Soest et al. (1991). Net energy for lactation (NEL) will be calculated using the formulas of Conrad et al. (1984) and Harlan et al. (1991). These methods have been selected because they have been used over a wide range of legume hay, cool and warm season grass hay, winter annual hay, and grains and have good agreement between predicted values (from the formulas) and animal studies measuring energy. For example, two equations from Harlan et al. (1991) are based upon the ADF and NDF components of the cell wall. They are calculated follows: NEL=1.895-0.0187*ADF; and NEL=2.849-0.0333*NDF, where ADF and NDF are expressed as % of the forage dry matter (Harlan et al., 1991). (NOTE: The equation by Conrad et al. is complex, and rather than belabor the details, we only state here that it also is a good predictor of energy and will be included in the effort). All predictors of NEL will be compared to determine which is best for the forage spreadsheet during the validation phase of the experiment.

Forage consumption is inversely related to the indigestible fraction of the total cell wall (referred to as indigestible NDF = iNDF) (Ellis, 1978; Ruiz 1995). Indigestible NDF will be determined on forage samples using a 96 h digestion via the in vitro method (Tilley and Terry, 1973) followed by NDF analysis on the indigestible fraction of the forage. Organic matter intake (OMi) will be estimated using the formula: OMi (kg/day) = 25.6-0.172*iNDF (Ruiz et al., 1995).

Mathematical calculations will be generated for each forage species in which monthly yield and forage quality data will be used to predict NEL yield per acre. For example, cereal rye that was harvested on March 15, 2008 yielded 2500 kg/Ha, and had the following chemical analysis. NDF=46.5% and iNDF=27%. The Harlan et al. (1991) calculations for NEL (Mcal/kg dry forage) using NDF values would thus be: NEL=2.849-0.0333*46.5 = 1.30 Mcal/kg forage. NEL yield is therefore: 1.3 Mcal/kg forage*2500 kg forage/Ha=3250 Mcal NEL/Ha.

Estimating organic matter intake (kg/day) using the Ruiz et al. (1995) formula: OM intake = 25.6-0.172*27.0=20.96 kg/d. Thus, total energy for lactation can be calculated (using NDF equation): 1.3Mcal/kg forage*20.96 kg forage/d = 27.3 Mcal NEL/day. This is sufficient to produce 19.9 kg of milk d/day (~43 lbs). Discussions with our farmer/cooperators suggest this is a reasonable estimate of milk output when cows are grazing cereal rye in March.

The data can also be used to calculate the carrying capacity of the pasture. Knowing there are 2500 kg/Ha of forage and that animals will consume 20.96 kg/d, a simple mathematical calculation suggests that each acre of pasture can accommodate (2500kg/Ha/20.96 kg/d) 119 cows in an intensive (1 day) defoliation of the pasture. This is a common practice on grazing dairies.

The forage spreadsheet will have the capacity to make these calculations for each forage in every month. The data can thus be used by producers in a “gaming” format in which they select forages they wish to grow, the program calculates the productivity of the grass, the carrying capacity, and potential for conversion to milk product. Producers can mix and match forages at will, changing the forage program to match their needs based upon calving season, and/or changing the numbers of animals on the farm.

While conversations with our producer/partners suggest that acceptance of the forage spreadsheet will be broad, we need a more objective validation of the data. Thus, we will sample pastures that are being grazed on producer/partner farms at different times of the year, estimate yield and conduct forage quality analysis, and predicted milk production compared with farm records

David Kissel
University of Georgia
Soil, Plant, Water Lab
2400 College Station Road
Athens , GA 30602
Ph: 706-542-5350
Fax: 706-369-5734
Email: dkissel@uga.edu

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OS09-050 On-Farm Biological Soil Disinfestation to Manage Soilborne Diseases In Organic Strawberry, $15,000

We propose to implement and develop biological soil disinfestation (BSD) as a mechanism to suppress soilborne pathogens, enhance soil health and increase crop productivity in organic strawberry production systems.

John Vollmer, Vollmer Farm, has been a visionist in terms of trying to move his farm operation from a very conventional (tobacco-based) farm to a more sustainable system with a focus on specialty crops such as strawberries and vegetables. He grows 6-8 acres of strawberries every year and has transitioned a portion of his production to organic. We have done extensive work with him looking at cover-crop and compost based systems as an alternative to methyl bromide fumigation. We have used his farm as a model system in an extensive extension program on the use of compost and cover crops in strawberry production systems. We have a solid history of characterizing his soilborne disease problem – namely Rhizoctonia and Pythium species that cause Black Root Rot on strawberries. The main problem is that over the years, he has seen a decline in strawberry yields in his organic land – in part because the rotation period is only every other year for strawberries. The yield has declined by 20-40% compared to his fumigated land. He does not have the land base for a longer rotation period and/or cannot grow a non-money crop for extended periods of time. Therefore, we propose to evaluate the BSD method to determine if this method will suppress soilborne diseases and increase yields.

WHAT IS BSD? BSD is the induction of anaerobic soil conditions for a short period of time. The anaerobic conditions are induced by adding organic matter or other carbon source (e.g. researchers have used molasses or ethanol plant waste). BSD uses fresh organic amendments incorporated into the soil and then the soil is covered by an impermeable plastic. Then water is added to the soil. The combination of the water and microbial breakdown of the amendments results in anaerobic conditions in the soil. These anaerobic conditions result in production of products and/or loss of oxygen that results in kill of soilborne plant pathogens. After the appropriate length of time, holes are punched in the plastic and the beds will re-aerate avoiding crop damage. In research trials in the Netherlands and Japan, the method offers broad spectrum control of soilborne pathogens including bacteria, fungi and nematodes, and has been found to be equivalent to fumigation. Thus, BSD is a viable tool that organic growers can use and may help conventional growers transition away from chemical-based fumigation systems.

Frank Louws
North Carolina State University
BOX 7616
Plant Pathology
Raleigh , NC 27695
Ph: 919-515-6689
Fax: 919-515-7716
Email: frank_louws@ncsu.edu

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