Three NNY farmers see results in year-long, statewide research project
Tuesday, November 10, 2009, 12:06pm
The results of the first year of trials from three northern New York farms in a statewide, two-year research project evaluating ways to use manure, conserve soil, and reduce fertilizer costs, are now posted in the Agricultural Environmental Management section of the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program website at www.nnyagdev.org.
Dairy farmers Dan Chambers of Heuvelton, David Fisher of Madrid, and Darren McIntyre of Lowville, and Crop Manager Jake Ashline at the W.H. Miner Agricultural Research Institute in Chazy, are four of 10 farmers participating.
The research, funded by the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program and the NY Farm Viability Institute, is evaluating the application of manure to farm fields in the spring without incorporating it into the soil (surface application) vs. using an aeration tool for shallow incorporation or incorporating with a chisel plow.
The research team is also evaluating the impact of the three manure application methods on corn crop yield and quality, nitrogen availability, and fuel costs.
NNYADP Co-Chair and dairyman Jon Greenwood of Canton says, “Research conducted under Northern New York growing conditions on how to best use on-farm and purchased nutrients provides farmers with valuable data that can producer higher-yield crops and save or make money for the farm while also protecting the farm’s natural resources.”
Peter Barney of Barney Agronomic Services, Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) field crops educators Stephen Canner, Joe Lawrence, and Michael E. Hunter; and Miner Institute agronomist Eric Young are assisting the research trials.
You can learn more about manure and nutrient management research by contacting your local CCE office, the Nutrient Management Spear Program, or Miner Institute, and online at www.nnyagdev.org.
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