Farmer-Led Research

In a Nutshell Two farmers planted strips of flowering herbs – anise hyssop, borage, and lemon basil – with cash crops on their farms. Pollinators in prairie strips were also observed. Farmers evaluated characteristics of the herbs and …

In a Nutshell Goats are becoming a popular method of controlling unwanted vegetation and invasive species, such as honeysuckle and multiflora rose. Timber stands and savannahs need some sort of disturbance to keep invasive species from spreading in …

In a Nutshell Six farmers compared three broccoli varieties, Belstar, Gypsy and Imperial, to determine which produces better during summer months (harvest July – Sept.) in Iowa. Key Findings Imperial had the highest yields at four of six …

In a Nutshell Wild bird populations can thrive in properly managed working landscapes. Cattle activity changes grassland structure; creating areas with short and tall vegetation, which provides habitat that is less available in conservation areas. Rotationally grazed pastures …

In a Nutshell Three farmers provided enterprise budgets for cucumber production in 2016. Cucumbers were grown in a heated greenhouse (Ann Franzenburg), an unheated high tunnel (Emma Johnson), and an open field (Jan Libbey). Franzenburg, Johnson, and Libbey …

In a Nutshell Delaying cover crop termination until near soybean planting would allow for more biomass production by the cover crop in the spring presenting the opportunity for more environmental benefit. Two farmer-cooperators continued work they began in …

In a Nutshell Two farms conducted replicated variety trials in high tunnels of two determinate tomato varieties, Mountain Fresh Plus and Rebelski. Key Findings Yield at both farms was lower than yields reported in other published high tunnel …

In a Nutshell Various green manure cover crop mixes can successfully be established following the harvest of a small grain crop in mid-summer. Following cereal rye seed harvest in July 2015, farmer-cooperator Tim Sieren seeded a brassica mix …

In a Nutshell This project tested the effect on over-wintered garlic yield of planting date and two mulching strategies: companion-seeded oat cover crop vs. straw mulch. Farmer-cooperator Mark Quee planted garlic in September with a companion oat cover …

In a Nutshell Delaying cover crop termination until corn planting is commonly understood to cause corn yield drag. However, the potential for increased cover crop growth by delaying termination has farmers wondering if that yield drag is true …

In a Nutshell Planting cover crops, then grazing or harvesting them, is a practical way to effectively reduce nutrient pollution, plus provide economic benefits to cattle owners. This represents a win-win for livestock producers and water quality for …

In a Nutshell Cover crops and summer annual forage mixes can provide a host of benefits to annual cropping systems: add biodiversity, reduce soil erosion, reduce nutrient loss, increase soil organic matter and reduce weed pressure. Dave and …