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NNYADP Corn Hybrid-Types’ Processing Impact Results Available; Among First to Try CVAS Soluble Starch Analysis

The Northern New York Agricultural Development Program has posted the results of research analyzing how kernel processing impacts two types of corn hybrids. Project leader Allen Wilder notes that “farmers seeking to feed corn silage soon after ensiling may have an option with floury-type hybrids.” The complete “Corn Silage Soluble Starch as Influenced by Kernel Processing Score and Kernel Type” project report is posted under About: Projects on the NNYADP website.

four ears of processed corn — Recent research from the NNYADP and Miner Institute analyzes how kernel processing impacts two types of corn hybrids: on the left, two ears of floury-type hybrids, at right, two ears of vitreous-type hybrids. Photo: Allen Wilder

Data from the research conducted in 2021 by Wilder, a forage agronomist with the Miner Institute, Chazy, N.Y., shows that processing of the floury hybrid increased starch digestibility and the soluble starch pool of the corn silage despite the processing resulting in a lower-than-desired kernel processing score (KPS) of 70. The vitreous-type hybrid processed at a consistently higher KPS in the trial.

“A high-quality forage that is high in starch content is only good if the starch is available to your cows. The softness of the floury-type kernels may have allowed them to flatten without breaking apart in the processing in this trial,” Wilder points out. “This research suggests that a different guideline may be needed in regard to optimal kernel processing of floury corn hybrids to create a better indicator of this starch availability for this type of hybrid.”

Wilder also evaluated the impact of fermentation on starch availability in the two types of hybrids.

“Feedout of the floury hybrid, particularly in the initial stages of fermentation, may allow larger particles of starch to be fully digested in the cow rumen,” Wilder notes.

Wilder’s trial data indicated that fermenting at least 90 days in essential in maximizing both the digestible and soluble starch pools in corn silage regardless of the aggressiveness of kernel processing. However, he noted that, “while our maximum in-vitro starch digestion plateaued by the 90-day point, actual starch digestion in the rumen may still benefit from additional fermentation time since the greatest soluble starch levels were not achieved until the 135-day point.”

The degree of processing – more aggressively or less aggressively – did not significantly affect the content of starch or sugar in this trial. However, during fermentation, the heavily-processed vitreous corn hybrid showed a consistent numerical decline in starch content as compared to the moderately-processed vitreous corn. Wilder notes, “the hypothesis that this change in starch content was due to degradation into other pools (such as soluble starch or sugar) was not supported by the study results and the fate of the lost starch remains unclear.”

This research project was one of the first of its kind to utilize a soluble starch analysis developed by Cumberland Valley Analytical Services, Inc. to quantify the starch that readily moves into suspension in an aqueous environment such as cow rumen. Specific guidelines and animal performance benchmarks for this analysis are yet to be determined.

Wilder points to opportunities for future research, saying, “the value of soluble starch analysis as an indicator of cow performance is still unproven. More data is needed to be able to develop guidelines for that fraction in addition to the kernel processing score.”

Funding for the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program is supported by the New York State Legislature through the New York State Assembly and administered by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.

This NNYADP research in 2021 took a cue from kernel processing research in 2018-2019 by Cornell PRO-DAIRY Dairy Forage Systems Specialist Joe Lawrence.

More information on the NNYADP project is posted online.

NNYADP Soil Compaction Research Reveals Impact on Variable Crop Yield

soil in agricultural field — Using yield stability zones based on both yield and consistency, NNYADP soil health research has shown a significant relationship between compaction and crop yield within fields on northern New York farms. Photo provided.

The results of Northern New York Agricultural Development Program (NNYADP) soil research in 2021 has revealed a relationship between soil compaction and variable crop yield on commercial farms in northern New York. The project goal is to help farmers harvest optimal yield from all areas across their fields through improved soil health and ecological function within the soil. The results of this initial investigation are posted in the report entitled “Is Soil Compaction a Big Driver of Yield” on the NNYADP website at www.nnyagdev.org.

“This project discovered a significant relationship between soil compaction within fields and yield, using yield stability zones based on both yield and consistency,” said Northern New York Field Crops and Soils Specialist Kitty O’Neil, Ph.D., with Cornell University Cooperative Extension. Dr. O’Neil led the research team for this NNYADP project.

Started in 2021, this NNYADP project has begun investigating the relationship between the variation in soil compaction severity in direct proportion to the variation in historical crop yield across a field.

“While soil compaction from the ground surface level to 12.6-inch depth was significant in all the yield zones in all the fields in our study, it was more severe in the consistently lower-yielding zones,” Dr. O’Neil explained.

Dr. O’Neil and CCE Regional Field Crops Specialist Mike Hunter collected more than 360 soil penetrations in each of four fields, representing 18 different soil types total on working dairy farms in October and November 2021. In some cases, sampling at depth of 12.6 inches was not possible due to high soil resistance, as much as 1,130 pounds per square inch (PSI).

While the causes of yield reduction in the lower-yielding field zones may be numerous and variable across fields or years, the on-farm research in 2021 suggests one potential cause may be increased soil compaction as revealed by this first-year data.

The farmer-driven NNYADP prioritized this soil compaction research for attention in 2021. The need to better understand soil compaction on regional dairy farms was highlighted earlier in a 2019 NNYADP analysis of nine conventionally-tilled dairy farm fields, all of which showed serious soil compaction at the surface and at depth with considerable within-field variability.

The 2021 additionally drew upon earlier, multiple-year NNYADP research results on zone management and yield stability mapping conducted by the Cornell University Nutrient Management Spear Program. For example, a related study revealed that 90 percent of fields had significantly lower yields – an average of 15 percent loss – on field headlands. The earlier field study did not measure soil compaction.

Dr. O’Neil cautions that the 2021 project data is preliminary, saying, “This first-time data provides a starting point for evaluating soil compaction impact on crop yield over time and will serve as a foundation for developing ways to assure healthier soils in support of high quality and high yield corn as a vital crop for New York’s dairy and livestock industries.”

Healthy soils resist erosion and more efficiently cycle nutrients, both critical to agricultural environmental stewardship goals.

Funding for the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program is supported by the New York State Legislature through the New York State Assembly and is administered by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.

Corn Dry Down Results – Delaware Co.

Contributed by Dale Dewing – CCE Delaware

CCE teamed up again with Dairy One, and their portable NIR, to test corn dry matter (DM) and starch content this week and the results are in the chart below.
The 48 samples of corn tested on September 16^th averaged 32% DM with a range of 26% DM to 39% DM. Starch content averaged 31% with a range between 25% and 38%. Interestingly, these results are nearly identical to the averages we got on the 29 samples we tested on September 7^th. This does not mean that corn has not progressed in maturity, but is likely a function of the heavy rain we received on Wednesday of this week, and a greater number of samples of later planted corn sampled this week. Some fields that were tested on both dates were 2-3 points drier this time than on Sept 7^th, still wetter than we would have expected though.
On the average our samples would be at an ideal DM in the next 7 days (see next page). Samples at 30% DM on the 16^th would be reaching the harvest window September 22^ndto 30^th. This could change with warmer/cooler weather, frost, advanced leaf disease damage etc.

Maturity varied from ¾ milk line to ears still in milk stage, but ear stage alone was not adequate to guess dry matter (DM) content. DM is the best way to decide on harvest readiness, because it best predicts fermentation quality. We recommend 32 – 36% DM for bunk silos and bags, 35 – 38% DM for upright silos. Remember proper length of cut, thorough kernel processing, and adequate packing are all critical in making quality corn silage.

As corn matures it will increase in starch content, and increase in yield. Harvesting too early (<32% DM) will result in reduced yield, reduced silage starch content, challenged fermentation and increased risk for silo juicing (which is a potent pollutant as well as tough on silos). Harvesting too late (>40% DM) will lead to poor fermentation and lower starch digestibility. Continuing to monitor whole plant DM is critical. Getting DM into the target zone yields best fermentation. Use of reputable inoculants helps on corn silage, especially when it is getting dry. Inoculants containing Lactobacillus Buchnerihave been shown to be more effective with corn silage. Increasing chop length with wetter silage may also reduce silo juicing.

Hemp Grain and Fiber: Production, Pests, Processing, and Policy in NY State

Experts from Cornell University and NY Ag and Markets will present the latest research and information on hemp fiber and grain production in New York State on Tuesday and Wednesday, July 6^th and 7^th from 6 – 7:15 PM. Tuesday evening we’ll discuss varieties, planting, and harvesting with Dr. Larry Smart, and we’ll learn about the latest pest management strategies from Drs. Lynn Sosnoskie and Gary Bergstrom, and NYS Integrated Pest Management’s Marion Zuefle. On Wednesday, we’ll discuss fiber and grain processing with Lindsay Pashow of Harvest NY, hemp economics with John Hanchar of the Northwest NY Dairy, Livestock, and Field Crops Team, and the current NY State regulatiory and policy updates with Tim Sweeney of NY Ag and Markets.

When: July 6^th and 7^th, 6:00 – 7:15 PM

How much: FREE on Zoom

To register and receive your free Zoom link: http://bit.ly/HempGrain

Contact:
Erik Smith (Regional Field Crops Specialist, Central NY Dairy, Livestock, and Field Crops Team)
Erik.smith@cornell.edu
315-219-7786

Evaluating Aerial Data Access for All Corn Growers: NNYADP Research Update

color coded map of yield data — Left: Cleaned yield monitor data visualized after processing and cleaning; right: estimated yield map obtained from satellite imagery and digital elevation model for a grain field in the NNYADP research trial. Images courtesy of Q.M. Ketterings/Cornell.

Dairy and cash grain producers in northern New York State are participating in research to evaluate if aerial imagery from drones and satellites may enable all farmers, not just those with a yield monitor, to build a corn yield database for their individual farm fields. The farmer-driven Northern New York Agricultural Development Program (NNYADP) is funding the research; Cornell University nutrient management researcher Quirine M. Ketterings, Ph.D., is the project leader.

A large regional database has been established as a result of the comparison of yield monitor data provided Regional producers and Champlain Valley Agronomics with drone and satellite imagery data. The project’s latest report is posted at https://www.nnyagdev.org/index.php/2020-nnyadp-projects.

“The estimated yield maps developed in 2020 on northern New York farms using aerial imagery data from unmanned drones and satellite systems showed promising results, demonstrating the potential to use imagery for mapping yield without the use of yield monitors,” Dr. Ketterings said.

The desired outcome of this research is to develop a standalone tool that uses aerial imagery data to automatically generate corn grain and corn silage yield potentials and yield zone maps for individual farm fields. These maps will help farmers to more precisely allocate manure, fertilizer and seed resources, and to enhance cost-effective agricultural environmental stewardship.

“Not all farms can afford yield-monitoring equipment. If images obtained with unmanned aerial systems can consistently be used to accurately estimate corn grain and silage yields, we can design an approach to give all corn growers access to reliable yield data without the use of that equipment for developing farm-specific yield stability zone management,” Ketterings noted.

Funding for the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program is supported by the New York State Legislature and administered by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.

NNYADP Research Focused on Soil Compaction Impact on Corn Crops

soil in hands — The farmer-driven Northern New York Agricultural Development Program is investigating the influence of soil compaction on corn crop yield and yield stability. Photo: Lynda Richardson, NRCS

The farmer-driven Northern New York Agricultural Development Program (NNYADP) is investigating the influence of soil compaction on corn crop yield and yield stability. Severely compacted soils limit plant root development and can reduce soil function, particularly in wet seasons. A new research project funded by the NNYADP aims to address the question of whether wide variation in soil compaction severity across a field is directly proportional to variable crop yield within that field.

This soil compaction research project, led by Kitty O’Neil, Ph.D., a Soils and Crops Specialist with Cornell University Cooperative Extension’s North Country Regional Ag Team, has begun collecting data on two farms in northern New York.

“Soil health influences crop yield, farm economics, and ecological functions on farms. Quantifiable data on the role of soil compaction in soil health and crop performance is missing. This project is designed to fill that knowledge gap,” notes O’Neil.

Cornell University Nutrient Management Spear Program Director Quirine M. Ketterings, Ph.D., will provide data analysis. Dr. Ketterings’ earlier research has informed the design of this new project.

In a 2019 study of nine conventionally-tilled dairy farm corn fields in northern New York, compaction was found at the surface and at depths of six to 18 inches in all nine fields with consistent and highly variable levels of compaction within each field and among the fields.

The New York State Legislature established the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program in 1961 in recognition of the opportunity for agriculture in the northern region of the state to become a major economic engine locally and for the state. Funding for the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program is administered by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. Learn more at https://www.nnyagdev.org.

Nutrient Management, Conservation Efficiency Research Update from NNYADP

farmers in field for demonstration — Farmers at a pre-COVID-19 field research day. NNYADP research project reports are accessible via https://www.nnyagdev.org. Photo: NNYADP

The farmer-driven Northern New York Agricultural Development Program (NNYADP) has released a suite of research reports on nutrient management efficiency and on agricultural environmental conservation related to tile drainage. The reports add to the industry knowledge base that helps farms apply efficient use of fertilizer and manure resources and natural resource stewardship practices. The reports are posted at https://www.nnyagdev.org/index.php/2020-nnyadp-projects.

Northern New York dairy and cash grain producers assisted research evaluating the opportunity for all farmers, not just those with yield monitoring devices on field equipment, to use satellite and drone imagery to develop yield estimate maps to enhance zone-based field management efficiency. The estimated yield maps developed by the project in 2020 show promising results for the use of free data layers obtainable by the use of aerial technology.

The NNYADP “Farm-Specific Corn Yield Potentials and Nitrogen and Phosphorus Crop Removal Estimates” project demonstrates how farmers can use farm-specific, multi-year yield tracking data to determine field-specific or soil-type specific corn crop yield potential. The most recent yield potential trials in northern NY notably expanded the data set of yield-per-soil-type analysis to help generate yield potential estimates for soils of critical importance to farms in the region. This regional field data, including data for many unique soils, adds to the ongoing statewide effort to evaluate adjustments in the Cornell equation that incorporates yield potentials to drive nitrogen application guidelines.

Additional research and analysis of data from participating farms by a Cornell University research team, demonstrates the incentive for applying best management practices to fields with the greatest risk of phosphorus loss. This northern New York regional assessment adds data to support the updating of the New York Phosphorus Index as a means of scoring fields for the risk of nutrient loss.

The Northern New York Agricultural Development Program has also funded unprecedented agricultural environmental conservation research associated with tile drainage and field crop nutrient use. Miner Institute Nutrient Management Researcher Laura Klaiber is conducting the research that has begun building a foundational understanding of how precision nutrient management an contribute to natural resource and water quality conservation.

The latest NNYADP field drainage project reports summarize on-farm field trial data from year’round edge-of-field runoff studies, and continue evaluation of the long-term agronomic and water quality impacts of tile drainage on cornfields. Klaiber has presented the results of this research to agricultural and natural resource groups in New York and throughout the U.S. Project collaborators include the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and SUNY Plattsburgh.

Funding for the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program is supported by the New York State Legislature and administered by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. Learn more about NNYADP research related to agricultural environmental conservation, dairy, field crops, livestock, horticulture and maple at https://www.nnyagdev.org.

Tile Drainage Research Results to be Presented During Virtual Crop Congress on February 24

research equipment in snow-covered farm field — This NNYADP tile drainage research site, overseen by Miner Institute, is collecting data related to nutrient transport in farm fields, including data on the critical role of non-growing season weather events. Photo: Miner Institute

Unprecedented agricultural water quality research funded by the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program (NNYADP) is producing significant insight into how nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen are transported across and through soil. On February 24, 2021, project leader Laura Klaiber, a nutrient management researcher at the Miner Institute in Chazy, New York, will present the latest three years of data during the 2021 North Country Crop Congress, held via Zoom.

In her presentation on February 24, Klaiber will share key points from year-round, edge-of-field research trials that have captured field surface and tile drainage runoff with monitoring equipment on a farm in Keeseville, New York. Tile drainage is a critical practice used in crop fields with naturally poorly-drained soils, and in short growing season areas, to significantly enhance and stabilize crop quality and yield.

“The use of tile drainage has come under scrutiny as a potential source of excess nutrients in watersheds. Prior to this Northern New York Agricultural Development Program-supported study, little research had been specifically designed to compare the impacts of common agricultural drainage practices on regional water quality. Now, through the continuous year-round monitoring of nutrient movement in surface runoff and tile drainage in farm fields provided for these trials, we are able to generate data to inform field management practices that will help conserve our natural resources,” Klaiber said.

This northern New York-based research is showing that non-growing season, weather-related events play a critical and consistent role in nutrient transport; however, more data is needed before researchers can more accurately pinpoint how the interactions between weather and field conditions relate to runoff quantity and quality.

“These trials are precedent-setting with insights that can only be developed with long-term studies due to the high variability of runoff rates and nutrient concentrations that occur across events and on an annual basis,” Klaiber said.

Time and intensive study are required to isolate the diverse contributing factors and interactions that influence the biological uptake, release, and transport of agricultural nutrients through soil. The interaction of weather, cropping systems, field management, soil type and fertility, topography and other factors all impact nutrient retention or export from both surface and tile drainage.

“We are encouraged that the data show reductions in exported phosphorus and sediment. This can have important implications for the phosphorus-reduction efforts ongoing in the Lake Champlain Basin; however, this improvement must be considered in balance with the increased risk for nitrogen mobilization. Future research is needed to identify practices, or more likely suites of practices, that can improve both of these water quality parameters simultaneously,” Klaiber noted.

With each successive year of data analysis, the research team is evolving best practices related to manure, nutrient and crop management to help growers enhance production efficiency and farm-based environmental stewardship.

The NNYADP first began collaborating on this groundbreaking tile drainage-related water quality research in 2010. Water resource managers and farmers alike want to know more about the potential differences in soil erosion and the transport of nutrients from fields with and without tile drainage.

Project collaborators have included the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, which provided land for trials at Lake Alice Wildlife Management Area in Chazy; the Lake Champlain Basin Program; SUNY Plattsburgh; the New England Institute of Water Pollution Control Commission; Champlain Valley Agronomics; River Bend Agricultural Engineering Services; and regional farms.

Klaiber has presented the results of this NNYADP-funded water quality research to agricultural and natural resource interest groups in New York, New England, and nationally through the annual joint meeting of the Soil Science Society of America, Crop Science Society of America, and American Society of Agronomy.

To register for the February 24, 2021 North Country Crop Congress, contact your local Cornell Cooperative Extension office or reach Cornell University Regional Field Crops Specialist Michael Hunter at 315-788-8450 or meh27@cornell.edu.

NNYADP tile drainage project results reports since 2010 are posted at https://www.nnyagdev.org/index.php/2020-nnyadp-projects.

Funding for the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program is supported by the New York State Legislature and administered by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.

Planting dicamba tolerant soybeans in 2021?

Contributed by Mike Hunter, CCE North Country Regional Ag Team

Are you are planting dicamba tolerant (Xtend or XtendFlex Technology) soybeans in 2021? If so, one of the tools in the weed control toolbox will be the option to use one of the three registered dicamba herbicides for use on Xtend or XtendFlex soybeans. In October 2020, the EPA approved a five year registration of XtendiMax and Engenia herbicides. It also extended the registration of Tavium herbicide. Xtendimax, Engenia and Tavium are currently the only dicamba products registered for over the top use in dicamba tolerant soybeans in New York State.

If you will be applying XtendiMax, Engenia or Tavium herbicide in 2021, there are several updated use changes on the label.

A few of the highlighted changes include:

- - Approved pH buffering agents (Volatility Reduction Agent or VRA) must be used with every application.
  - Cutoff application date of June 30 or R1 growth stage, whichever comes first for XtendiMax and Engenia. June 30 or V4 growth stage, whichever comes first for Tavium.
  - Increased downwind buffer increased from 110 feet to 240 feet. In counties with endangered species (outlined in the US EPA Endangered Species Protection Bulletin) have additional buffer requirements. Three counties in NYS (Genesee, Onondaga, Madison) are included in this bulletin.
  - The 44 oz. per acre use rate of XtendiMax was removed from the label.

The annual dicamba training requirements are still mandatory for any applicator that applies one of these products. The annual training requirements can be fulfilled by completing an approved online training module.

You can find approved dicamba training modules at all these links:

Planting dicamba tolerant soybeans will provide additional options for the control of multiple resistant marestail, a difficult to control weed that is slowly spreading across New York state. Switching to dicamba tolerant soybeans is unlikely a long term solution, as selection for resistant weeds will begin with the increased use of these new herbicides. Growers will need to carefully consider how to best use these traits by providing good stewardship to preserve this technology for the future.

NNYADP Research Evaluates Opportunity to Meet NY’s Malting Barley Demand

field with plants — A field of young malting barley. Photo: NNYADP

The farmer-driven Northern New York Agricultural Development Program (NNYADP) has funded research investigating the opportunity for regional growers to meet the New York State requirement that all Farm Brewery-Licensed beer be made with 90 percent New York-grown ingredients by 2024. The results of the first two years of trials at three sites in northern New York are now posted at https://www.nnyagdev.org.

Cornell University Professor of Plant Breeding and Genetics Mark E. Sorrells, Ph.D., NNYADP malting barley project leader, noted, “Presently, not enough malting barley is being grown in New York State to meet brewer demand for New York-grown ingredients, which is driven by New York State law. Production of malting-grade and feed-grade barley could become a viable option for northern New York growers. We must learn whether today’s malting barley varieties will reliably overwinter in the northern regional climate.”

With funding from the NNYADP in 2019 and 2020, Sorrells established trials of winter and spring malting barley at Chazy, Canton, and Willsboro, New York. He is pleased with the early data.

“The winter survival rate was surprisingly good, particularly at one site, after one year of winter exposure for the 10 winter malting barley varieties planted at Canton and Willsboro in the fall of 2019. The varieties that had the best winter survival also produced the best grain yields. Four varieties produced yields of 50 or more bushels per acre with survival rates of 86 percent or higher,” Sorrells said.

Sorrells points out that the trials’ early data sets clearly make the case for multi-year and regional testing. The spring malting barley variety that had the lowest yield in 2019 produced the highest mean plot yield and test weight in 2020 for the combined Chazy-Canton evaluation of the 10 varieties planted at both sites. Additional years’ data will help determine the factors influencing that dramatic difference in results.

Sorrells estimates the market value of malting barley at $8 to $12 per bushel, and notes that the regional research also positions NNY growers to sell their crops to malt houses and brewers in neighboring states as well as to those in New York State.

A 2018 economic study by the New York State Brewers Association, Rochester, New York, reported that 26 breweries located throughout the six-county northern New York region employed 3339 workers receiving $34.589 million in wages, with a total industry output of more than $130.4 million in the regional economy.

The complete Malting Barley Variety Evaluations for Production in NNY report is posted under the Research: Field Crops tab at https://www.nnyagdev.org.

Funding for the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program is supported by the New York State Legislature and administered by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.