Project Overview

Reports

Commodities

• Agronomic: clovers, grass (misc. perennial), hay, medics/alfalfa

Target Pests

• Target Pests: weeds

Practices

• Pest Management: chemical control, competition, cultivation, cultural control, economic threshold, mechanical control, monitoring/scouting, mulches - general, pesticides, prevention, sanitation, weed ecology

• Animal Production: feed/forage, grazing management, manure management, rangeland/pasture management, stocking rate

• Crop Production: conservation tillage, crop improvement and selection, crop rotation, cropping systems, drought tolerance, fertilizers, no-till, nutrient management, organic fertilizers, other, varieties and cultivars

• Natural Resources/Environment: biodiversity, soil stabilization

• Production Systems: integrated crop and livestock systems, organic agriculture, other

• Soil Management: composting, organic matter, soil quality/health

• Sustainable Communities: other

Hay and pasture crops make up a significant majority of cropland in the Northeast. Land supporting hay production and pasture is often rented by farms and owned by non-farmers. Management challenges in relation to weed pressure are often observed in these perennial systems, which present unique challenges compared to annual crops. Weeds are opportunistic and their populations will increase in undermanaged fields. This can threaten desired forage species yields and a lack of locally grown forage is costly for feeding and maintaining a healthy, productive herd. Lack of knowledge about IPM management tools, weed identification and biology often leaves perennial land, particularly rented or borrowed lands, vulnerable to weed pressure and less productive forage stands. There are often misconceptions about field management related to weed control between farmer and non-farmer landowners. This project focuses on the use of sound IPM strategies alongside proven outreach and education activities to improve weed management on Northeastern hay and pasture fields. The proposal objectives include the following: work with non-farmer landowners and farmers that rent land to promote use of IPM tools; increase knowledge of weed identification and weed ecology; and increase understanding and collaboration among stakeholders and partner organizations for improved agricultural production of perennial forage. This work will result in the creation and delivery of diverse materials for non-farmer landowners and farmers alike in the Northeast, with a focus on Vermont and New Hampshire. These resources paired with educational opportunities in person and online, will be used to guide perennial forage crop weed management decisions.

Objectives and Anticipated Impacts

Objective 1. Increase knowledge and adoption of IPM practices and principals, particularly cultural and mechanical, for farmer and non-farmer landowner audiences who maintain perennial forage in the Northeast, with a focus on Vermont and New Hampshire.

Strategy: Increased accessibility of targeted IPM practices and procedures through online content. Content will be used to communicate information and resources using a variety of remotely accessible platforms, (websites, email, videos, and webinars). This will offer increased material accessibility to learners and users. The number of views and opens of these materials, which can be monitored online, improving efficiency in reporting and impact. Anticipated Impact: Participants access content, will soil test, implement recommendations, implement timely cutting, re-seed desirable forage species, and/or increase diversity.

Objective 2. Increase knowledge of weed identification and weed biology and ecology, including specific knowledge about 9 common perennial weed species, as well as 3 common annuals for farmer and non-farmer landowner audiences who maintain perennial forage in the Northeast, which a focus on Vermont and New Hampshire. Strategy: Accurately identifying weeds and understanding their biology and ecology increases the likelihood of choosing a successful management practice. Learning materials and activities that highlight weed identification will empower program participants and inform their decision-making. Focusing on cultural and mechanical IPM strategies control methods increases accessible management and is safe for all stakeholders, whereas with the use of chemical controls one may require specialized training and safety equipment. Anticipated Impact: Participants will be able to identify weeds and their basic biology.

Objective 3. Increase collaboration and understanding between stakeholders and partner organizations including farmer and non-farmer landowner, Extension, nearby Universities and other public service providers, such as Land Trusts. Strategy: Building collaboration and relationships maximizes the reach of materials developed as part of this programming. This will establish a baseline understanding of this topic and individual stakeholder needs across parties. An online survey will be used to measure the number of contacts between stakeholders and partners. Anticipated Impact: Changed land management through the lens of IPM, weed ID, and improved understanding of stakeholder needs. Increased communication through common narrative and vocabulary of IPM management and weed types and characteristics.

This project responds to and contributed to Goals 1 & 2 listed in the NE IPM Center’s Strategic Plan and Goals document. Project Objectives 1 & 2 contributes to Goal 1, and specifically 1C. By providing outreach through a variety of channels and focusing on knowledge of weeds, and cultural and mechanical approaches, we help avoid the environmental challenges associated with the use of synthetic pesticides, as well as keep land productive and hope to alleviate pressure from reduced viability that leads to more fragmentation and non-farming uses. Project Objective 3 contributes to Goal 2, specifically 2B and 2C. This project will amplify partnerships across state University Extension entities, primarily Vermont and New Hampshire. Both the University of Vermont Extension and University of New Hampshire Extension will have an active role in the delivery and evaluation of this project and its objectives. It will assist in the development and growth of relationships, farmers, and landowners, and other partner organizations, such as Farmer Coalitions (see support letters) and Land Trusts.