Research Reports
Read and download reports of novel on-farm research projects designed and led by farmers in field crops, horticulture, livestock, energy and more.
Research reports are written by Practical Farmers staff to ensure consistency and quality, and are available to view or download for free below.
| Full Title | Date | Member Priorities | Description | People |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whole Farm Financial Report: Analysis of 2013-2016 Financials | 06/18/18 | CC BF FC HL LF OE P SG RD |
Eight fruit and vegetable farms provided a profit-loss statement and simple balance sheet for four years (2013 - 2016). Five of the farms averaged more than $24,000/ac in gross revenue for the 4-year period. Four of the farms had a “favorable” four-year average net income ratio, ranging from 0.23 - 0.43. Number of years farming as a business ranged from 2 – 14 years. No two farm financial strategies or situations are the same. This report serves as a starting point for profitability conversations, and for farmers to compare their own numbers with their peers. | – |
| Annual Wildflower and Herb Mix for Pollinators | 04/12/18 | CC BF FC HL LF OE P SG RD |
Four diversified vegetable farms planted strips of an annual flower mix. Farms assessed flower establishment and attractiveness to insects. Buckwheat dominated the mix, providing early blooms but perhaps to the detriment of other flowering species. After buckwheat bloomed, there was a gap before the cosmos began to bloom. Basil, dill and cilantro did not fare well in the mix; farmers would prefer to transplant or plant these species in monoculture blocks. | Alice McGary · Jill Beebout · Rob Faux · Sarah Foltz Jordan |
| Underseeded vs. Mid-Summer-Seeded Green Manures for Corn | 01/17/18 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SGRD |
fit into extended and diversified crop rotations between the small grain and corn phases of the rotation. They can either be underseeded with a small grain crops in early spring or planted in the summer following small grain harvest. • Farmer-cooperators Doug Alert & Margaret Smith and Vic Madsen compared corn following two green manure strategies: red clover or alfalfa underseeded with oats (US) vs. a mix of sunn hemp, sweet clover, red clover and radish planted in mid-summer after oat harvest (MSS). Key Findings • Weed biomass in oats in mid-July was no different with or without the underseeding at both farms. • By mid-October 2016, the US (red clover) produced more aboverground biomass than the MSS by almost 1,000 lb/ac at Alert/Smith’s. The opposite was true at Madsen’s: the MSS produced more biomass than the US (alfalfa) by approx. 800 lb/ac. • Corn yields were no different between the two green manure treatments at both farms. | David Weisberger · Doug Alert · Margaret Smith · Mary Wiedenhoeft · Vic Madsen |
| Spring-Seeded Cover Crops Ahead of Soybeans | 01/16/18 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Cover crops are typically either aerially seeded into standing crops around the time of physiological maturity in late summer or drilled immediately following crop harvest in the fall. • In this study, two farmercooperators evaluated spring cover crops seeded in March approximately 50 days before planting soybeans later in the spring. Key Findings • Cover crops seeded in late March and terminated in late May grew up to between 6 to 10 inches in height. • Cover crops did not affect soybean yields compared to where no cover crop was seeded. | Chris Teachout · Jeremy Gustafson |
| Corn Leaf Architecture for Interseeded Cover Crops | 01/15/18 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
An earlier seeding date opens up the opportunity for more diverse cover crops like brassicas and legumes that need more time and heat units to grow than common cover crops like cereal rye. • Two farmer-cooperators interseeded cover crops (cowpeas, annual ryegrass, rapeseed) into corn at the V4 stage in June. Corn hybrids chosen exhibited vertical and horizontal leaf orientations to test whether more light penetrating the corn canopy would encourage successful cover crop establishment and growth. Key Findings • Corn leaf orientation and corn planting population did not appear to have much of an effect on the interseeded cover crops. • Jack Boyer saw corn yields reduced by an average of 24 bu/ac due to the interseeded cover crops. | Jack Boyer · Jeremy Gustafson |
| Economic Impact of Grazing Cover Crops in Cow-Calf Operations | 01/04/18 | CC BF FC H LLF OE P SG RD |
Grazing cover crops can provide economic returns to farming operations within the same year cover crops are planted. • This study is in its third year and is being conducted by farmers in the North Raccoon watershed who are participating in a Water Quality Initiative project. • Utilizing cover crops as forage represents a win-win for livestock producers and the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy. Key findings: • Three cow-calf producers reported that over two years, cover crops provided up to 3.81 tons of dry matter per acre. • Grazing cover crops offset winter feed expenses up to $38,953. • Each farmer reaped economic benefits within the same year of planting the cover crops. • Cost share was provided to each farmer, which contributed to profitability. | Bill Frederick · Mark Schleisman · Wesley Degner |
| Monitoring Birds in Rotationally Grazed Pasture, 2017 Update | 12/06/17 | CC BF FC H LLF OE P SG RD |
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. • For some species, rotationally grazed pastures have the capacity to support greater bird population sizes compared to conservation areas that are not grazed. • Prairies and pastures complement one another to protect a wider range of birds then either habitat alone. Key findings • Restored prairie in a conservation area supported 285 birds (21 species) in 2016 and 230 birds (25 species) in 2017. • Rotationally grazed perennial pasture supported 553 birds (22 species) in 2016 and 468 birds (23 species) in 2017. • Rotationally grazed perennial + annual pasture supported 524 birds (28 species) and supported 545 birds (21 species) in 2017. • Pastures better supported some birds that are considered in decline than the restored prairie. | Bruce Carney · Conner Willis · Grace Baumgartner |
| Winter Feed Monitoring on a Grass-Fed Cattle Farm | 12/06/17 | CC BF FC H LLF OE P SG RD |
Feeding cows during the winter is the greatest expense for most grassbased operations. • Grazing cover crops and stockpiled pastures provides low-cost feed during times farmers would normally be feeding hay. • For many years, Dave and Meg Schmidt have recorded grazing moves and the amount of hay they fed to the herd. • From 2013 to 2017, they experimented with feeding cover crops, crop residue and stockpiled pastures to cut down on the amount of hay needed. Key findings: • During the winters of 2013-2014 and 2014-2015, cover crops and crop residue provided almost half of the winter feed needs for the herd. • During the winter of 2015-2016, the most hay was fed, because the farmers were not able to plant cover crops the season prior. • The least hay was fed in 2016-2017, due to a combination of grazing stockpiled pastures along with cover crops and crop residue. • Calf average daily gains were greatest in 2016-2017. • Diverse winter forage sources allow the Schmidts to feed less hay, increase the size of their herd and save money. | Dave and Meg Schmidt |
| Summer Lettuce Variety Trial | 12/06/17 | CC BF FC HL LF OE P SG RD |
Six farmers compared three or four lettuce varieties, Coastal Star, Hampton, Magenta, and Muir, to determine which produces better during summer months (harvest July – Sept.) in Iowa. Key Findings • Magenta had the highest yields on three of the six farms, and was much more heat tolerant than Coastal Star. • Coastal Star produced sizeable heads – particularly in earlier successions – but tended to bolt quickly. • Farmers found they could grow quality summer head lettuce using these varieties, though specific preferences differed by farm. | Alice McGary · Carmen Black · Jill Beebout · Jordan Scheibel · Kate Edwards · Rob Faux |
| Enterprise Budget for Cherry Tomatoes | 12/05/17 | CC BF FC HL LF OE P SG RD |
Two farmers provided enterprise budgets for cherry tomato production in 2017. • Cherry tomatoes were grown in a heated greenhouse (Ann Franzenburg), and an unheated high tunnel (Emma Johnson). • Revenue and expenses, including a breakdown of labor, was reported by each farmer. Key Findings • Labor was the largest expense for both Franzenburg and Johnson, accounting for 62% and 68% of their total expenses, respectively. • Harvesting and packing was the most time-consuming task on both farms, accounting for 74% of labor-hours at Franzenburg and 62% of labor-hours at Johnson. • Both farms had profitable cherry tomato crops, netting $1.31/lb at Franzenburg and $1.54/lb at Johnson. | Ann Franzenberg · Emma Johnson |
| Brassica Yield Following Grazed and Un-Grazed Cover Crops | 12/05/17 | CC BF FC HL LF OE P SG RD |
• This project compares yields of fall brassica crops following a spring cover crop of oats and peas. In treatment plots spring cover was grazed by sheep; control plots were un-grazed. Key Findings • There were no statistical differences in brassica yield by treatment (grazed vs. un-grazed cover crop). • Though Black had more than 3 tons DM/ac of aboveground biomass, the sheep trampled more than they foraged because the oats were too fibrous. • Black is interested in grazing more spring-seeded cover crops based on trial results; Quee plans to stay with his current system of grazing in fallow years and in the early spring and late fall. | Carmen Black · Mark Quee |
| Winter Cereal Rye Cover Crop Effect on Cash Crop Yield | 11/30/17 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Farmers reported that in 59 of 63 site-years, properly managed cover crops had little to no negative effect on corn and soybean yield (and actually increased soybean yield in 8 siteyears and corn yield in 2 site-years). | Bill Buman · Darwin Pierce · Devan Green · Gary and Dave Nelson · George Schaefer · Jerry Sindt · Jim Funcke · Kelly Tobin · Mark Pokorny · Randy Caviness · Rick Juchems · Rob Davis · Rob Stout |
| Roll-Crimping Cover Crops and Soybean Seeding Date | 11/30/17 | CC BF FC H L LF OE P SG RD |
A roller-crimper presents farmers the opportunity to mechanically terminate cover crops without chemicals or tillage. This method is dependent on a large amount of cover crop growth and the cover crop reaching the flowering stage before crimping. • Farmer-cooperator Tim Sieren compared soybean seeding dates relative to cover crop termination (before and after) as well as cover crop termination techniques (chemical vs. roll-crimp). Key Findings • Cover crop termination date had the strongest effect on soybeans. Soybeans yielded best when the cover crop was chemically terminated on May 5 and the soybeans were seeded on Apr. 24 or May 7. • Roll-crimp termination of the cover crop was a challenge and this was attributed to a thinned cover crop stand resulting from drilling soybeans on May 7 before roll-crimping on May 30. | Tim Sieren |
| Summer Broccoli Variety Trial 2013-2017 | 11/22/17 | CC BF FC HL LF OE P SG RD |
After participating in the 2016 Summer Broccoli Variety Trial, Rob Faux wanted to do a 4-year comparison of his yields for Gypsy and Belstar. He collected data in 2017 to match his informal data collection from past years. Key Findings • No statistical analysis was performed on the data because the trial did not have replications. However, Gypsy had higher yields for both successions every year. • 2015 was a good year for summer broccoli, with Gypsy having larger crowns and more crown harvest than other years for Gypsy and all years for Belstar. Gypsy crowns also produced well in 2017. • Faux’s 2016 crop had lower survival rates than previous years and were not healthy long enough for productive side shoots. • Faux plans to continue using and collecting yield data on both varieties of broccoli. | Rob Faux |
| Tomato in High Tunnel, Variety Trial | 11/20/17 | CC BF FC HL LF OE P SG RD |
Three farms conducted replicated variety trials in high tunnels of tomato varieties: Big Beef, Rebelski, Big Dena. Key Findings • No farm showed statistical differences in overall yield (lb/ft2) among varieties. • Landgraf and Quee had statistical differences in size and number of tomatoes, with Rebelski having more and smaller fruits than Big Beef. • All farms will continue to use Big Beef as a high tunnel variety, and Matteson/Schick will also continue to use Big Dena, which held its size later into the season. | – |
| N Fertilizer Strategies for Corn Following Cover Crop | 11/20/17 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Successfully raising corn after a cover crop requires timely cover crop termination and N fertilization. Commonly, farmers terminate a cover crop 2-3 weeks prior to planting corn but generally do not need to apply any more N than if they did not use a cover crop. • Farmer-cooperators Dick Sloan and Tim Sieren compared terminating their cover crops approx. 3 weeks prior to planting corn with terminating their cover crops within 3 days of planting corn. They also investigated N fertilizer timing and rates across the cover crop termination dates. Key Findings • Delaying cover crop termination until a few days before planting corn increased cover crop biomass production in the spring. • Terminating the cover crop a few days before planting corn generally resulted in reduced yields at both farms regardless of N strategy. • Fall manure with 35 lb N/ac at corn planting and 90 lb N/ac at side-dress resulted in no yield drag at Sloan’s when the cover crop was terminated 3 days before planting corn. | Dick Sloan · Tim Sieren |
| Rolling Cover Crops and Soybean Row-Width | 11/15/17 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
• Cover crops are gaining new attention for their ability to reduce weed pressure in soybeans. Specifically, when seeding soybeans directly into a thick cover crop. • Farmer-cooperators Jack Boyer and Scott Shriver investigated the effect of row-width on soybean yields when rolling a cereal rye cover crop. Boyer rolled select strips after terminating with an herbicide; Shriver used a roller-crimper to terminate his cover crop. Key Findings • The narrowest soybean row-width at both farms (10-in. at Boyer’s; 7.5-in. at Shriver’s) resulted in greatest yields. • Boyer saw the greatest return on investment where he drilled soybeans in 10-in. rows and did not roll the cover crop after chemical termination. The drill itself appeared to lay down much of the cover crop residue. | Jack Boyer · Scott Shriver |
| Oat Variety and Fungicide Trials 2017 | 10/16/17 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SGRD |
In a Nutshell • Small grain crops, like oats, are seeing renewed interest by farmers in Iowa. Iowa was once a nationwide leader in oats production, but many farm families have not grown them for a generation or two. • 15 oat varieties were screened at two Iowa State University research farms and one commercial farm. Key findings • Top yield performers differed at each location. • Antigo had the highest test weight at each location (≥38 lb/bu) but was also among the lowest yielding varieties. Reins scored a test weight of 38 lb/bu at Kanawha. • Application of fungicide did not improve yield or test weight for the four varieties tested at Nashua. | Brian Lang · Ken Pecinovsky · Matt Schnabel · Wayne Koehler |
| Spring-Seeded Brassica Cover Crops | 10/16/17 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
In a Nutshell • Can frost-seeding small-seeded brassica species into crop residue be an effective spring cover crop strategy? Key Findings • Among three locations, mustard provided the most groundcover. • When frost-seeded in the spring, cover crop growth appears to be related to GDD accumulated prior to termination. | Chad Ingels · Jeremy Gustafson · Steve McGrew |
| Accommodating Cover Crops with Early Maturing Corn and Soybeans | 08/23/17 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Seeding cover crops earlier in the fall can translate to greater fall and spring biomass and may present the opportunity for more diverse cover crop species selection. • Early maturing varieties of corn (104- 105-day) and soybean (1.0 group) were grown in southwest Iowa in an attempt to harvest earlier in the fall and seed cover crops earlier in the fall. Key Findings • Planting early maturing varieties of corn and soybean generally did not result in yield drag compared to the late maturing varieties typically grown in southwest Iowa. The exception was in 2015 when the early maturing soybeans yielded less. • Cover crop biomass produced tended not to differ between the early and late maturity corn-soybean systems. Seeding cover crops earlier in the fall, following the early maturing corn and soybean varieties, proved to be a challenge | .Jon Bakehouse |
| Cover Crop Variety Trial 2016-2017 | 07/25/17 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
In a Nutshell • Cereal rye, oats and other small grains grass species have been proven as effective cover crops in cornsoybean systems in Iowa. • Cooperators screened grass, legume and brassica species for fall and spring groundcover in hand-seeded plots (7.5’ x 25’) across the state. Key findings • Cereal rye remains the most consistent cover crop providing fall groundcover, overwintering capability and spring groundcover across locations. • Brassicas generally produced as much fall ground cover as the small grains grasses in the present iteration of the trial. • Hairy vetch and radish performed better than in past iterations, likely due to exceptional growing conditions | Bill Schrader · Chad Ingels · Clarke McGrath · Jeremy Gustafson · Mark Peterson · Myron Rees · Paul Kassel |
| Interseeding Cover Crops in Seed Corn at the V4-V6 Stage | 06/12/17 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
If cover crops can successfully be established when interseeded into corn in June, this may permit farmers to use existing equipment (rather than high-clearance machines or airplanes); may permit the use of more diverse cover crop species; and ultimately may increase the amount cover crop biomass produced. • Jack Boyer interseeded a 4-species and 6-species cover crop mix into seed corn at the V4-V6 stage in randomized and replicated strips. Key Findings • Both the 4-species and 6-species mixes survived below the seed corn canopy and produced similar amounts of aboveground biomass by mid-October. • The interseeded cover crop mixes had no adverse effect on seed corn yield. Project Timeline 2016 | Jack Boyer |
| Whole Farm Financial Project Year 2 – An Analysis of 2014 Financials | 04/27/17 | CC BF FC HL LF OE P SG RD |
In a Nutshell • 12 fruit and vegetable farms provided a profit-loss statement and simple balance sheet for 2014. • Four of the 12 are meeting their personal expectations for profitability. • Seven of the participating farms also provided data for Year 1 (2013) • Number of years farming as a business ranged from 1 – 35 years. • The range (difference between highest and lowest reported values) is large for many aggregated categories. Averages (and medians) with large ranges associated should not be used as benchmark values. • No two farm financial strategies or situations are the same. This report serves as a starting point for profitability conversations, and for farmers to compare their own numbers with their peers. • For six farms whose largest market was Summer CSA, they earned, on average, 68 percent of their total revenue through Summer CSA. • All participating farms had debt to asset ratios <0.62. • Net income ratios among farms ranged from -0.11 to 0.83. • Gross income per acre ranged from $3,020 to $30,191. • The conclusion of the report includes reflections from four participating farmers on their numbers, financial strategy, and using this report. | – |
| Effect on corn of green manure cover crops established with cereal rye seed crop | 03/30/17 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
In a Nutshell • Green manure cover crops best fit into extended and diversified crop rotations between the small grain and corn phases of the rotation. • Farmer-cooperator Wade Dooley compared corn following two green manure strategies: a red clover + sweet mix interseeded with a cereal rye seed crop vs. a mix of oats + sorghumsudangrass + peas + rapeseed mix established after cereal rye seed harvest. Key Findings • The two green manure mixes produced similar amounts of biomass and N. • Corn yields were greater by nearly 30 bu/ac following the clover mix (corn in both treatments received 100 lb N/ac as purchased N fertilizer). • Financial returns on investment per acre were greater by $123.90 with the clover mix treatment. | Wade Dooley |
| Seeding Technique and Date Effect on Cover Crop Establishment | 03/22/17 | CC BF FC H L LF OE P SG RD |
The highboy seeding technique allows for an early seeding date that resulted in additional cover crop growth when compared to the drilled treatment that followed corn and soybean harvest. When comparing biomass of cover crop mixtures, the cereal rye and oats in the cover crop mixes made up the majority of the growth recorded. Corn and soybean yields tended to be unaffected by the cover crops. | Hagie · ISU Northern Research Farm · Tim Smith |
| Winter Cereal Rye Cover Crop Effect on Cash Crop Yield | 01/13/17 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Farmers reported that in 55 of 59 site-years, properly managed cover crops had little to no negative effect on corn and soybean yield (and actually increased soybean yield in 7 siteyears and corn yield in 2 site-years). | Bill Buman · Darwin Pierce · Devan Green · Gary and Dave Nelson · George Schaefer · Jerry Sindt · Jim Funcke · Kelly Tobin · Mark Pokorny · Randy Caviness · Rick Juchems · Rob Davis · Rob Stout |
| Annual Flowering Herbs for Pollinators Variety Trial | 12/07/16 | CC BF FC HL LF OE P SG RD |
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 assessed pollinator use of the herbs by doing transect counts of pollinators during bloom. Key Findings • Neither farm had successful direct seedings of anise hyssop (McGary had success with transplanting). • Borage filled out and flowered earliest though it became top-heavy, fell over, and had late-season weed management issues. • Lemon basil (and anise hyssop, at Mc- Gary’s) had healthy, upright habits but required more early-season weeding at Hartmann’s. • Small native bees had the most individuals counted among all pollinator groups observed on both farms. • Hartmann’s lemon basil had the most pollinators; at McGary’s, borage had the highest average count. | Alice McGary · Rick Hartmann |
| Using Goats to Control Invasive Species | 12/07/16 | CC BF FC H LLF OE P SG RD |
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 order for native species to flourish. • Goats were allowed to browse a timber stand twice in 2015 and vegetation observations were conducted throughout 2015 and 2016. Key findings • Goats did not adversely affect the herbaceous layer (understory) of a timber stand. • Goats did not significantly affect the desirable woody species. • By September 2016, areas where goats browsed in 2015 had significantly less non-desirable woody species. • Successive years of browsing goats are likely needed to successfully eradicate invasive species. | Penny Perkins |
| Summer Broccoli Variety Trial | 12/07/16 | CC BF FC HL LF OE P SG RD |
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 farms, followed by Gypsy and Belstar. • At three farms, Imperial had statistically higher yields than the other varieties. • Plant spacing differed by farm, but average yield per area was 0.28 lb/ft2 for Imperial, followed by Gypsy (0.27 lb/ ft2), and Belstar (0.22 lb/ft2) • Following the indications of the data, most farmers strongly preferred Imperial as their summer broccoli variety. | Alice McGary · Carmen Black · Jill Beebout · Jordan Scheibel · Mark Quee · Rick Hartmann |
| Monitoring Birds in Rotationally Grazed Pasture | 12/06/16 | CC BF FC H LLF OE P SG RD |
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 have the capacity to support greater bird populations, for some species, than conservation areas that are not grazed. Key findings • Restored prairie in a conservation area supported 285 birds of 21 species. • Rotationally grazed perennial pasture supported 553 birds of 22 species. • Rotationally grazed perennial+annual pasture supported 524 birds of 28 species. • Pastures better supported some birds that have conservation implications, than the restored prairie. | Bruce Carney |
| Enterprise Budget for Cucumbers, Year 2 | 12/06/16 | CC BF FC HL LF OE P SG RD |
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 also provided enterprise budgets for year one of this study in 2015. Key Findings • Labor was the largest expense for Johnson and Libbey, accounting for 74% and 94% of their total expenses, respectively. Labor was only 40% of Franzenburg’s costs. • Labor breakdown by task differed at each farm. The largest tasks on each farm, measured in hours, were: pruning and trellising at Franzenburg, field maintenance at Johnson, and harvesting and packing at Libbey. • Production in the greenhouse at Franzenburg’s provided highest yield (lb fruit/ft2) and number of fruit per ft2. • Among the three farms, outdoor production at Libbey’s had the highest net income per pound. | Ann Franzenburg · Emma Johnson · Jan Libbey |
| Cereal Rye Cover Crop Termination Date Ahead of Soybeans, 2016 Update | 11/30/16 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
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 2015 that compares terminating a cereal rye cover crop 2-3 weeks prior to seeding soybeans (early termination) with terminating the cover crop within 5 days of seeding soybeans (late termination). Key findings • Jeremy Gustafson saw a 2 bu/ac increase and improved weed control with the late termination treatment in 2016. This amounted to a $49.97/ac economic benefit compared to the early termination treatment. In 2015, soybean yields were equivalent between the two termination date treatments. • Jack Boyer saw no difference in soybean yields between the two cover crop termination treatments in either year. In 2015, he was able to skip a post-emergence herbicide application which saved him approx. $40/ac. | Jack Boyer · Jeremy Gustafson |
| Determinate Tomato in High Tunnel, Variety Trial | 11/22/16 | CC BF FC HL LF OE P SG RD |
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 variety trials. • Rebelski yield was higher at Landgraf’s, with 1.4 lb/plant difference. • Rebelski yield was also higher at Quee’s, with 2.1 lb/plant difference. | Mark Quee · Tim Landgraf |
| Nitrogen Rate Comparison in Corn Following Green Manure Cover Crop Mixes | 11/18/16 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SGRD |
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 into one field and a legume mix into another field. He then compared 2016 corn yields resulting from a Low and High N fertilizer rate that followed the green manure mixes in the separate fields. Key Findings • Regardless of the green manure mix it followed, corn yields were significantly greater with the 145 lb N/ac (High) rate compared to the 95 lb N/ac (Low) rate. • Wet summer months likely contributed to the superiority of the High N rate in terms of both yield and financial returns in 2016. | Tim Sieren |
| Oat Cover Crop vs. Straw Mulch for Garlic Production | 11/18/16 | CC BF FC HL LF OE P SG RD |
• 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 crop (oat residue following winterkill intended to serve as mulch). Garlic planted in October was mulched with straw. Key Findings • September-planted garlic had higher yield than October-planted, but pervasive rot in several areas of the field may have impacted results. | Mark Quee |
| Cover Crop Termination Date Ahead of Corn | 11/17/16 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
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 and/or can be overcome. • Farmer-cooperator Dick Sloan planted corn on the same date (May 5) following two cover crop termination dates: 2 weeks prior to planting corn (early) and 2 days prior to planting corn (late). Key Findings • Sloan saw a 5 bu/ac corn yield reduction with the late termination date. • Corn stands were not affected by cover crop termination date. • Soil temperatures were slightly warmer for one week in May in the early termination date. | Dick Sloan |
| Economic Benefits from Utilizing Cover Crops as Forage | 11/09/16 | CC BF FC H LLF OE P SG RD |
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 Iowa. Key findings • Four farmers in northwest Iowa reported that in the fall and winter of 2015, cover crops provided 0.07 to 3.74 tons of dry matter per acre. • Grazing this cover saved farmers $1,306 to $22,801 in hay or other stored feed expenses | Ben Albright · Bill Frederick · Mark Schleisman · Wesley Degner |
| Summer Annual Forage Established After Cereal Rye + Hairy Vetch Cover Crop | 10/25/16 | CC BF FCH LLF OE P SG RD |
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 Meg Schmidt evaluated the effect of applying chicken litter to a cereal rye + hairy vetch cover crop and grazing the cover crop ahead of establishing a summer annual forage mix. Key findings • Grazing the cereal rye + hairy vetch cover crop resulted in more biomass production than where not grazed. • The application of chicken litter did not affect cover crop growth or summer annual forage biomass production. • Hairy vetch in the cover crop successfully established (seeded in late August 2015) and may have contributed a substantial amount of N to the succeeding summer annual forage crop. | Dave and Meg Schmidt |
| Testing for Fungicide Drift in Cereal Rye Trials | 10/20/16 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SGRD |
• Two farmers tested Spray strips and No-Spray control strips of cereal rye for fungicide residue. • This project was a secondary project within “Fungicide and Plant Growth Regulator Effect on Cereal Rye Production” (Gailans et al., 2016). Key Findings • At Sieren’s farm, no propiconazole residue was found above the detectable limit of 0.05 ppm in No- Spray control strips. • At Sloan’s farm, metconazole residues of 0.02 ppm were found in both control strip samples, compared to the 1.30 ppm baseline residue level in the sprayed sample. | Dick Sloan · Tim Sieren |
| Winter Triticale Seeding Rate | 10/20/16 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SGRD |
Seeding rates of small grains, like triticale, are important to achieve optimal plant stands, yields and yield quality. • Paul Mugge compared two seeding rates of winter triticale. Key Findings • The two seeding rates resulted in equivalent final plant populations and yields. | Paul Mugge |
| Fungicide and Plant Growth Regulator Effect on Cereal Rye Production | 09/30/16 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SGRD |
In a Nutshell • Fungal diseases and lodging can present challenges to raising small grain crops, like cereal rye, in Iowa. • Farmer-cooperators investigated the use of fungicides and plant growth regulators on cereal rye seed crops to determine effects on yield and germination rate. Key Findings • Across four fields at three farms, in only one instance, when a fungicide was paired with a growth regulator, were cereal rye seed yields and financial returns improved. • Germination percentage of harvested seed was generally greater than 90% regardless of treatment. | Dick Sloan · Jack Boyer · Tim Sieren |
| Oat Variety Trials 2016 | 09/13/16 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SGRD |
Brian Lang · Ken Pecinovsky · Matt Schnabel · Wendy Johnson | |
| Cover Crop Variety Trial 2015-2016 | 07/07/16 | CC BF FC H L LF OE P SG RD |
Chad Ingals · Clarke McGrath · Jeremy Gustafson · Mark Peterson | |
| Improving Cool-Season Pastures with Interseeding Annuals and Grazing, Update 2016 | 07/06/16 | CC BF FC H LLF OE P SG RD |
In a Nutshell • Interseeding annuals into pastures increases forage diversity, quality, and quantity. • Bruce Carney developed seed mixtures and interseeded them into existing cool season pastures. • Seed mixtures vastly increased pasture diversity. • Grazing management to harvest or trample forage at the right time and to a proper degree is essential to feed both livestock and soil microbes. Key findings • During the establishment year in 2014, few advantages were seen in grazing days or forage yield, but a baseline was established for future comparison. • In 2015, two fields were seeded once with a cool season mix, and one field was seeded multiple times with cool and warm season mixes. • Total tons of dry matter harvested by cattle or baled was greater in 2015 than 2014; animal unit days provided from forage produced were doubled from year 2014 to year 2015. • After multiple interseedings and two years of rotational grazing on three pastures, compaction near the soil surface (<6 inches) increased but decreased deeper down (>21 inches). | Bruce Carney |
| Effect of Compost Extract on Head Lettuce Yield | 07/06/16 | CC BF FC HL LF OE P SG RD |
In a Nutshell • Compost extract is made by steeping compost in water, then applying the sieved water (with compost extract) as a soil drench with the intention to increase beneficial soil biota, and increased plant health, Brix and yield. • At two farms, compost extract was applied as a drench treatment to head lettuce. • Yield and Brix readings of head lettuce was measured to determine impact of compost extract applications. Key Findings • Drenching soil with compost extract did not affect lettuce yield at either farm. • Drenching soil with compost extract did not affect Brix levels in lettuce at Danreis’ farm. • Compost price could be cost prohibitive; at high-intensity application, compost cost was $1.25/row-ft. | – |
| Winter Cereal Rye Cover Crop Effect on Soil | 06/22/16 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
While there were differences among locations, there were generally no differences in soil health variables between the no-cover and cover crop treatments at individual locations. | Darwin Pierce · George Schaefer · Jerry Sindt · Jim Funcke · Kelly Tobin · Rick Juchems · Rob Davis · Rob Stout |
| Winter Cereal Rye Cover Crop Effect on Cash Crop Yield: Year 7 | 06/07/16 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Farmers reported that in 49 of 53 site-years, properly managed cover crops had little to no negative effect on corn and soybean yield (and actually increased soybean yield in 7 site-years). | – |
| Fruit and Vegetable Production Data Collection 2013-2015-Appendix | 05/10/16 | CC BF FC H L LF OE P SG RD |
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| Fruit and Vegetable Production Data Collection 2013-2015 | 05/10/16 | CC BF FC HL LF OE P SG RD |
In a Nutshell • Fifteen farms participated in fruit and vegetable production recordkeeping to date. • The purpose of the project was to create Iowa-specific production histories for: • producers to have baseline comparisons, • the advancement of crop insurance options, • and to provide information about typical Iowa production for lenders. • Actual yields exceeded FSA-NAP yield estimates for most crop categories. | Alice McGary and Nicolas Leete · Ben Saunders · Ellen Walsh Rosmann and Daniel Rosmann · Emma and Marcus Johnson · Jan Libbey and Tim Landgraf · Jill Beebout & Sean Skeehan · John and Jessica Wesseliu · Jordan Scheibel · Mark Quee · Matt Russell and Patrick Standley · Melissa and Andy Dunham · Rick and Stacy Hartmann · Rob and Tammy Faux · Susan Jutz · Tyler Magnuson and Caitlin Cauughhey |
| Pepper Seedlings in Soil Blocks and Plug Trays | 02/04/16 | CC BF FC HL LF OE P SG RD |
In a Nutshell • This was an informal trial to compare bell pepper production from seedlings started in soil blocks vs. plug trays. • Data were collected from 72 plants in each treatment; peppers were harvested at green and red stages. Key Findings • Though statistical analysis was not possible, pepper plants started in soil blocks had higher yield and number of green and red peppers per plant and fewer cull fruit. | Carmen Black · Susan Jutz |
| Alternative Free Choice Minerals for Goats | 12/10/15 | CC BF FC H LLF OE P SG RD |
Cheryl and Mike Hopkins | |
| Enterprise Budget for Cucumbers | 12/09/15 | CC BF FC HL LF OE P SG RD |
Three farmers provided enterprise budgets for cucumber production. • Cucumbers were grown in a heated greenhouse (Ann Franzenburg), an unheated high tunnel (Emma Johnson), and an open field (Jan Libbey). Key Findings • Labor was the largest expense for all farms, ranging from 56% of enterprise expenses to 93%. • Trellising and pruning were the biggest labor task for Ann, while harvesting and packing was the largest portion of labor for Emma and Jan. • Production in the heated greenhouse at Ann’s provided highest yield (lb fruit/ft2) and number of fruit per ft2, and also the highest net income per ft2 and per fruit. • Among the three farms, outdoor production at Jan’s had the highest net income per pound. | Ann Franzenburg · Emma Johnson · Jan Libbey |
| Apple Cider Vinegar Supplementation in Feeder Pigs | 12/08/15 | CC BF FC H LLF OE P SG RD |
In a Nutshell • Apple cider vinegar has been long advocated for its health benefits and is gaining recognition as a health supplement for livestock. • Apple cider vinegar is held to being a health tonic that promotes beneficial gut bacteria, improves digestion of feedstuffs, enhances performance, and helps decrease parasite load. • Tom Frantzen supplemented three groups of pigs with apple cider vinegar and measured feed intake, average daily gain, feed efficiency and return over feed costs compared to pigs not supplemented. Key findings: • Pigs supplemented with apple cider vinegar were observed to have a sleeker coat, improved vitality and looked healthier than those not receiving apple cider vinegar. • Pigs supplemented with apple cider vinegar tended towards increased feed intake and average daily gains, higher carcass yields, better feed efficiency, and higher profits. | Tom and Irene Frantzen |
| Bell Pepper Variety Trial – Olympus and Revolution | 12/07/15 | CC BF FC HL LF OE P SG RD |
In a Nutshell • Five farmers compared two bell pepper varieties, Olympus and Revolution, to determine which produces better in Iowa’s climate. • Each farm planted four randomized pairs of research plots, each pair with 10-20 plants of each variety. Key Findings • Pepper yield was significantly different by farm, but treatment (variety) also had a significant effect on yield. Revolution yield was significantly higher than Olympus when all farms were analyzed together. • Revolution produced more pounds and number of peppers per ft2 and per plant than Olympus at three of five farms. The remaining two farms saw no difference in yield between the varieties. • Average plant yield of green bell peppers across all farms was 4.3 lb/plant for Revolution and 4.03 lb/plant for Olympus. • Plant spacing was different by farm, but end-of-season yield for green bell peppers ranged from 1.82 – 2.66 lb/ft2. | Alice McGary · Mark Quee · Rick Hartmann · Susan Jutz · Tim Landgraf |
| Grazing Cover Crops for Winter Feed, 2015 Update | 12/07/15 | CC BF FC H LLF OE P SG RD |
In a Nutshell • Cover crops can provide a high-quality, low-cost feed during times when farmers would normally be feeding hay and other stored forages. • Dave and Meg Schmidt planted and grazed cover crops and crop residue to extend their grazing season and reduce hay expenses. • Over four winter seasons, they have maintained animal performance through feeding a combination of hay and winter grazing. Key findings: • Grazing cover crops and crop residue in late fall delayed the onset of regular hay feeding. • Cows maintained body condition and calves met average daily gain goals while grazing cover crops and crop residue. • Utilizing cover crops as forage allowed the Schmidts to feed less hay than previous years, while also increasing their herd size. • Graziers should consider entering into cost-share agreements with row crop neighbors to reduce cover crop establishment costs. | Dave and Meg Schmidt |
| Corn Following Green Manure Cover Crops Established with Small Grain | 12/02/15 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
In a Nutshell • Extending and diversifying a crop rotation to include a small grain presents farmers with the opportunity to generate biological soil nitrogen using forage legume (green manure) cover crops seeded in the spring and summer. • Farmer-cooperator, Dick Sloan grew corn following red clover that was frost-seeded into a cereal rye seed crop and also after a mix of forage legumes and other species established midsummer after the cereal rye seed crop was harvested. Key Findings • In his second iteration of investigating these cropping systems, Dick improved his corn yields from the first time he tried this system in 2014. • In 2015, corn that followed red clover out-yielded corn that followed the mix. • Net returns were approximately $95 greater per acre when corn followed red clover compared to the mix. | Dick Sloan |
| Summer Squash Following Winter Rye With Strip and No-Till | 11/30/15 | CC BF FC HL LF OE P SG RD |
In a Nutshell • Fruit and Vegetable farmers want to use cover crops to control weeds, which reduces labor costs and competition with cash crops. • In tilled plots, two-foot wide strips of rye were incorporated prior to seeding. In no-till plots, summer squash was seeded into an overwintered stand of cereal rye that was scythed at maturity. Key Findings • Squash yield (lb) and number of squash produced were greater in tilled plots than in no-till plots. • Weeding the tilled plots took significantly more time during the first weeding of the season (July 8). • Survival rate of seedlings was not different between treatments on July 1, but plant survival by Sept. 25 was 72% in the till plots compared to 50% in the no-till plots. • Average pounds of squash produced per plant were not significantly different between treatments. | Mustard Seed Community Farm |
| Timing of Nitrogen Supply to Corn from Spring Terminated Red Clover | 11/30/15 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
In a Nutshell • Cultivation of cereal rye for cover crop seed offers the possibility of frost-seeding a legume into the standing rye crop in early spring, where the legume can produce biomass and fix N following rye harvest. • Farmer-cooperators Tim Sieren and Dick Sloan grew corn in rotation following cereal rye frost-seeded with red clover and compared this to corn grown using synthetic N fertilizer applications. • Tim and Dick invited Iowa State University graduate student Will Osterholz on to their farms to quantify N uptake by corn as well as two measures of N release from soil organic matter: net N mineralization and gross ammonification. Key findings • Red clover did not improve corn growth, N content or grain yield compared to synthetic N fertilizer. • Soil N mineralization rates in August tended to be higher with red clover compared to synthetic N fertilizer, but differences were not statistically different. • Fertilization with supplemental N at planting could provide corn with early season N before clover decomposition can provide sufficient N to the corn crop in late summer. | Dick Sloan · Tim Sieren · Will Osterholz |
| Oat Variety and Fungicide Trials | 11/30/15 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
In a Nutshell • Small grain crops, like oats, are seeing renewed interest by farmers in Iowa. Iowa was once a nationwide leader in oats production, but many farm families have not grown them for a generation or two. • 16 oat varieties were screened at two Iowa State University research farms. Additionally four varieties were included in a separate fungicide trial at one of the research farms. Key findings • Betagene, Deon, Badger and Natty varieties were among the top performers in terms of yield at both locations. These entries also scored low for incidence of crown rust. • Badger, Betagene, GM423, Goliath and Natty varieties met all of the quality specifications (except test weight) identified by food processors. • Fungicide improved test weight for two varieties (Badger and Rockford) while Beta glucan concentration and fat concentration were not affected. | Brian Lang · Ken Pecinovsky |
| Cereal Rye Cover Crop Termination Date Ahead of Soybeans | 11/23/15 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
In a Nutshell • Delaying cover crop termination until soybean planting would allow for more biomass production by the cover crop in the spring presenting the opportunity for more environmental benefit. • Farmer-cooperators seeded soybeans 10-14 days after terminating a cereal rye cover crop and within 1 day of terminating the cover crop. Key findings • Jeremy Gustafson and Jack Boyer saw no difference in soybean yields with the two cover crop termination dates while Bob Lynch saw a small reduction with the late termination date. • Bob and Jack observed cereal rye residue in the late termination treatment to persist through the soybean growing season holding soil in place and reducing weed pressure. | Bob Lynch · Jack Boyer · Jeremy Gustafson |
| Are neonicotinoid seed treatments in soybean production worth it? 2015 Update | 11/19/15 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
• Neonicotinoid seed treatments in soybean production are ubiquitous but recent evidence has called their benefit to yields and their ecological impact into question. • Farmer-cooperators compared soybean yields from soybeans of the same variety grown from neonicotinoid-treated seeds and seeds not treated with a neonicotinoid. Key findings • At each location, there was no measured effect of seed treatment on soybean yield. • Given the lack of measured yield benefit, the economic practicality of neonicotinoid seed treatments can be questioned. | Bob Lynch · Dick Sloan · Wendy and Doug Johnson |
| Whole Farm Financial Project – An Analysis of 2013 Financials | 09/24/15 | CC BF FC HL LF OE P SG RD |
11 fruit and vegetable farms provided a profit-loss statement and simple balance sheet from FY 2013. • Five of the 11 farms are meeting their personal expectations for profitability. • Six of the 11 farms plan to someday earn 100% of their household income from the farm. • Farming experience ranged from 3 to 20 years. • No two farm financial strategies or situations are the same. This report serves as a starting point for profitability conversations, and for farmers to compare their own numbers with their peers | – |
| Winter Canola Used as a Cover Crop in Iowa | 07/16/15 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
• Winter canola is a common oilseed crop grown in regions outside the Midwest. Due to its ability to overwinter, it may be a suitable candidate for use as a cover crop in Iowa crop production systems. • Winter canola was seeded at three dates in the late summer and early fall to assess growth, ground cover and nitrogen accumulation by the above ground biomass in two fall–spring cycles: 2012–2013 and 2013–2014. KEY FINDINGS • Winter canola seeded in early September produced the most growth and ground cover and accumulated the most N in the aboveground biomass in the fall. • Winter canola successfully overwintered when seeded in early September and mid-September in the 2012-2013 Cycle only. • Winter canola performance as a cover crop tended to decrease as seeding | Mary Wiedenhoeft · Rafael Martinez-Feria |
| Cover Crop Variety Trial 2014-2015 | 07/16/15 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Cereal rye, oats and other cool-season, small grains grass species have been proven as effective cover crops in Iowa crop production systems. • Cooperators screened pure seedings and mixtures of grass, legume and brassica cover crops for ground cover and aboveground biomass production in small, hand-seeded plots across the state. KEY FINDINGS • Cereal rye and mustard tended to produce the most amount of fall ground cover. • Cereal rye and field pennycress were the only entries to consistently overwinter and produce spring growth. • Field pennycress may be a good option for those in corn-soybean systems looking to add diversity to their practice of cover cropping. | Clarke McGrath · Dave and Meg Schmidt · Jeremy Gustafson · Mark Peterson · Paul Kassel |
| Effect of Seeding Date on Cover Crop Performance | 07/06/15 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Cover crops are recognized for their ability to scavenge nitrogen and possibly improve soil characteristics in corn-soybean production systems. • Farmer-cooperator Jack Boyer investigated three different cereal rye cover crop seeding dates in his seed corn field. Cover crop performance was evaluated by assessing aboveground biomass as well as soil chemical and health characteristics using the Haney Test, a novel approach to soil testing. KEY FINDINGS • The two aerial seeding dates in August 2014 resulted in more cover crop growth in both Fall 2014 and Spring 2015 compared to the drill seeding date in September 2014. • The two aerial seeding treatments reduced soil nitrate concentration in the top six inches of the soil profile compared to the drill seeding and nocover treatment in Fall 2014; all cover crop treatments reduced soil nitrate concentration compared to the nocover treatment in Spring 2015. • Compared to the no-cover treatment, all cover crop treatments resulted in increased soil microbial activity in the spring as determined by the Solvita method in the Haney Test. | Jack Boyer |
| Winter Cereal Rye Cover Crop Effect on Cash Crop Yield: Year 6 | 05/13/15 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Farmers reported that in 42 of 46 trials, properly managed cover crops had little or no negative effect on corn and soybean yield (and actually increased soybean yield in 4 trials). | Bill Buman · Darwin Pierce · Dave Nelson · Devan Green · Gary Nelson · George Schaefer · Jerry Sindt · Jim Funcke · Kelly Tobin · Mark Pokorny · Randy Caviness · Rick Juchems · Rob Davis · Rob Stout |
| Once vs. Twice Daily Milking of Dairy Goats | 05/08/15 | CC BF FC H LLF OE P SG RD |
Milking once per day instead of the twice-daily standard reduces milk yield, but also greatly reduces labor and feed expense. • Animals milked only once per day require less feed, and reportedly have a lower mastitis risk. Milk allegedly has a lower somatic cell count and higher protein and fat concentration. KEY FINDINGS • Does milked once daily produced fewer pounds of milk, but the milk had slightly higher milk fat and protein concentrations, compared to does milked twice daily. • Does milked once daily consumed slightly less grain compared to does milked twice daily, but milking once daily greatly reduced labor requirements. • Does milked once daily had greater somatic cell counts compared to does milked twice daily, but this was not associated with any cases of clinical mastitis. • Lois Reichert found that does milking once daily improved quality of life, offering a nice option for a cheesemaking dairy with a small staff. | Lois Reichert |
| Improving Cool-Season Pastures with Interseeding Annuals and Grazing | 05/07/15 | CC BF FC H LLF OE P SG RD |
Interseeding annuals into pastures increases forage diversity, quality, and quantity. • Bruce Carney developed seed mixtures and interseeded them into existing cool-season pastures. KEY FINDINGS • During this establishment year, few advantages were seen in grazing days or forage yield, but a baseline was established for future comparison. • Diverse seed mixtures vastly increased pasture diversity. • Timely precipitation is critical to forage and biomass production. • Grazing management to harvest or trample forage at the right time and to a proper degree is essential to feed both livestock and soil microbes. | Bruce Carney |
| Poultry Recordkeeping – 2014 | 05/05/15 | CC BF FC H LLF OE P SG RD |
Poultry enterprises have low start-up costs, require little experience, and have fast turnaround compared to other livestock species. • Margins on poultry enterprises, however, are often low; broiler chickens and eggs have been referred to as “gateway” sales to get farmers’ market customers to become interested in bigger purchases. • Practical Farmers members offered to provide production and sales costs of broiler enterprises, to see what the finances really look like on long-standing operations. KEY FINDINGS • The Griffieons benefit from economies of scale, and while non-GMO feed is the biggest expense (over 50% of total costs), this feature allows them to ask a premium sale price. • The Wesseliuses have a very low-cost feed ration, and while processing is costly (36% of total costs), they save on labor and other expenses. • Feed and processing, the two biggest costs on each enterprise, are difficult to alter, but any reduction in costs will improve margins. | John Wesselius · LaVon Griffieon |
| Pasture Monitoring 2014 – Troublesome Creek Cattle Co | 04/30/15 | CC BF FC H LLF OE P SG RD |
Good management is essential to maintaining productive pastures and encouraging high performance. • Dave and Meg Schmidt tracked the management of their pastures, animal performance, and rates of gain. • 2014 featured good weather and improved rotational grazing, resulting in more animal grazing days and better calf growth. KEY FINDINGS • Managed grazing has improved animal health and gain. • Forage diversity and soil health can be improved with managed grazing. • Short-season annual forages provide livestock feed during key periods, when perennials are don’t. | Dave and Meg Schmidt |
| Duck Breed Comparison | 04/30/15 | CC BF FC H LLF OE P SG RD |
While selective breeding has improved production of eggs or meat in different duck breeds, some are considered dual-purpose, producing both meat and eggs acceptably. • Given identical housing, environment, management, and feed, any differences should be due to breed of the ducks. • Which better fits the management style of the Fauxes and generates the best financial return? KEY FINDINGS • Muscovy ducks finished at a greater weight and consumed less feed, generating a positive net return. • Appleyard ducks weighed less but used more feed than Muscovys, but were much better foragers and may flourish in a lower-input system. • Muscovys better fit the Fauxes’ existing system and customer base, but the Appleyards may have a niche in highforage, low-management systems or for customers preferring “wilder” tasting meat. | Rob and Tammy Faux |
| Fly Monitoring for Grazing Cattle 2014 | 04/29/15 | CC BF FC H LLF OE P SG RD |
Face and horn flies can damage livestock health and producer profits through the spread of disease and irritation to animals. • Cooperators counted flies on their cattle to determine efficacy of control methods and to identify degrees of fly load that negatively impact cattle. • Over time, reduction in fly load has been observed, seemingly due to selection of cattle and rotational grazing, along with some targeted fly control methods. KEY FINDINGS • Environmental factors (windspeed, humidity, temperature, cloud cover) did not seem to correlate with fly load. • Certain animals seem to be more prone to high fly loads; this may be due to color, genetics, or breed. • Cattle behavior (bunching, kicking, stomping, tail flicking) was not strongly associated with fly load, although fly load was below accepted economic threshold levels in 2014. | Dave and Meg Schmidt |
| Fertilizer Effect on Yield and Quality of Corn for Livestock Feed | 04/27/15 | CC BF FCH LLF OE P SG RD |
Specialty corn varieties are bred to express quality profiles that are more suitable for livestock feed than standard, conventional corn varieties. • The Gilberts investigated different fertilizer practices to improve productivity of a specialty corn variety they have deemed to possess a desirable quality profile. KEY FINDINGS • Nutrient analysis of grain samples is essential to properly balance diets. • Savings in hog diets can be accomplished when lysine concentration of corn is such that less soybean meal needs to be purchased from off-farm outlets. | John and Bev Gilbert |
| Soybeans Show Little Response to Boron Fertilizer | 04/20/15 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Recent interest in micronutrients, such as boron, has farmers curious about yield impacts of in-season, foliar applications of these micronutrients to commodity crops. • Duane Johnson compared soybeans that received a foliar application of boron with those that received no boron. KEY FINDINGS • There was no measured effect of foliar boron fertilizer on soybean yield, thus the cost was not warranted. | Duane Johnson |
| CoolBot vs. Commercial Chilling Systems in Walk-in Coolers | 04/01/15 | CC BF FC HL LF OEP SG RD |
Many fruit and vegetable farmers are building their own walk-in coolers to save money and be able to customize the cooler to fit their needs. • Window air conditioning units equipped with CoolBot systems have become a popular alternative to commercial chilling systems in coolers, because they are cheaper to install. • Energy use and temperature control was compared on three farms; two used AC/CoolBot systems, and one used a commercial chilling system. KEY FINDINGS • The walls and ceiling of a walk-in cooler should be air-tight, and should have a minimum R-value of 20. • Fiberglass insulation with a vapor barrier is not recommended for the primary internal material. Instead of fiberglass insulation with a vapor barrier, closed cell foam is recommended in order to avoid condensation and reduction of fiberglass R-value. • In this study, the AC/CoolBot system struggled to maintain temps below 40°F in the heat of the summer. | Eric and Ann Franzenburg · Harn Soper · Tim Landgraf and Jan Libbey |
| Fruit and Vegetable Production Data Collection 2013-2014–Appendix | 03/16/15 | CC BF FC HL LF OE P SG RD |
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| Fruit and Vegetable Production Data Collection 2013-2014 | 03/11/15 | CC BF FC HL LF OE P SG RD |
Thirteen farms participated in fruit and vegetable production recordkeeping to date. • The purpose of the project was to create Iowa-specific production histories for: • producers to have baseline comparisons, • the advancement of crop insurance options, • and to provide information about typical Iowa production for lenders. • Actual yields exceeded FSA-NAP yield estimates for most crop categories. | Alice McGary and Nicolas Leete · Ben Saunders · Ellen Walsh-Rosmann & Daniel Rosmann · Emma & Marcus Johnson · Jan Libbey & Tim Landgraf · Jill Beebout & Sean Skeehan · John & Jessica Wesselius · Mark Quee · Matt Russell & Patrick Standley · Melissa & Andy Dunham · Stacy & Rick Hartmann · Susan Jutz · Tammy & Rob Faux |
| Farm Metered Energy Analysis | 03/01/15 | CC BF FC H L LF OEP SG RD |
Energy markets are unstable and energy purchases can make up a large portion of farm expenditures. • The energy sources that power the majority of farm operations are based on fossil fuels and are some of the primary emitters of greenhouse gases. • Practical Farmers members tracked energy expenditures in order to establish an energy baseline and pinpoint “energy hogs.” Key Findings • For vegetable farms, electricity to power cold storage and gasoline for product transportation are areas of intensive energy use. • For crop and livestock farms, diesel for field operations and LP for grain drying are areas of intensive energy use. • Detailed records are necessary to establish a solid energy baseline, enabling farmers to implement energy conservation measures and/or alternative energy technologies. | Craig and LaVon Griffieon · Denise O’Brien and Larry Harris · Eric and Ann Franzeburg · Francis and Susan Thicke · Frank Santana · Gary and Nancy Guthrie · Greg and Connie King · Jan Libbey and Tim Landgraf · Jill Beebout and Sean Skeehan · Mark and Connie Tjelmeland · Susan Jutz · Tom and Irene Frantzen |
| Apple Cider Vinegar Supplementation of Goats – 2014 | 02/01/15 | CC BF FC H LLF OE P SG RD |
Apple cider vinegar, long praised for its beneficial effects on animal health, also is said to cause animals consuming it to have more female than male offspring. • Goat-owning farmer-researchers supplemented a subset of their animals with apple cider vinegar, either as a direct oral drench or as an addition to drinking water, and reported animal gain and condition, health considerations, and offspring gender. • Apple cider vinegar supplementation of dams did not result in more doe than buck kids being born the following spring, and had inconsistent effects on weight gain, body condition, and FAMACHA scores. KEY FINDINGS • Pregnant does given apple cider vinegar in 2013 had a lower percentage of doe kids than did does given water, at two farms. • FAMACHA scores and body condition scores did not consistently differ between animals given apple cider vinegar or water on Dawn Anderson’s farm, though youngstock given apple cider vinegar had higher average daily gains than those given water. • Kathy Rose found no differences in average daily gain between doelings given apple cider vinegar or no supplementation, though apple cider vinegar was given as an attempt to aid does already known to be poorer-performing. | Dawn Anderson · Kathy Rose |
| Pasture Monitoring 2014 – Bobolink Prairie Farm | 02/01/15 | CC BF FC H LLF OE P SG RD |
Cattle graziers work to improve pasture yield and quality to maintain healthy herds of productive cattle. • Nathan and Sarah Anderson have worked for five years to reclaim pasture acres and improve existing pastures, monitoring pastures for species diversity and cattle grazing days. • In 2014 they continued a trend of increasing pounds of calf raised, increasing total pasture acreage, and improving forage species diversity. KEY FINDINGS • Forage species diversity (number of species and number of desired prairie species) was greater in 2014 than 2013 or 2010. • Total grazed acreage and total herd size were greater in 2014 than 2013 or 2010. • Calf average daily gain did not differ from 2013, but calves were tracked for a shorter period of time in 2014 than 2013. Total pounds of calf produced was greater in 2014 than 2013 or 2010 primarily because more calves were raised. | Nathan and Sarah Anderson |
| Pasture Monitoring 2014 – Frog Hollow Farm | 02/01/15 | CC BF FC H LLF OE P SG RD |
Seeding new species into existing pastures improves pasture diversity and forage quality and quantity. • The Hopkins have added new forages to their pastures and tracked the diversity and rotations of their grazing meat goats. • Pasture quality was adequate for mature and young animals—based on doe condition and kid gain—despite increasing the stocking rate from the previous year. KEY FINDINGS • Frost-seeding legumes and herbals successfully introduced new species into existing pastures. • After two seasons of frost-seeding new species and rotational grazing, the proportion of legumes in pastures has increased. • After two seasons of frost-seeding new species and rotational grazing, animal-days per acre and kid gain have increased. | Cheryl and Mike Hopkins |
| Finishing Hogs on Small Grains | 12/08/14 | CC BF FC H LLF OE P SG RD |
Organic hogs typically grow slower and are less efficient than conventional hogs. High-fiber diets high in small grains are common in organic production but may be less efficient compared to corn-soybean diets. • Tom Frantzen and family fed groups of similar hogs either an organic cornbased diet or a small grain diet where succotash replaced corn. • Small grain-fed hogs grew less quickly and efficiently, but carcass price per lb was similar between diet groups, and feed price per lb was less for the small grain diet. KEY FINDINGS • Feed consumption and cost was greater for small grain-fed hogs, while weight gain was lower. • Small grain-fed hog carcasses were slightly smaller but of comparable quality to corn-fed hog carcasses. • Hog feed is a viable use for small grains produced in organic crop rotations, as it is low-cost and produces comparable finished carcasses to cornfed hogs. | James Frantzen · Tom and Irene Frantzen |
| Effect of Compost Extract on Qualitative Soil Health and Carrot Yield | 12/07/14 | CC BF FC HL LF OE P SG RD |
Compost extract (compost steeped in water, then sieved) is a popular soil amendment to increase beneficial biota and increase yields. Two treatment levels of compost extract were applied to carrots on two farms to determine impact on yield and soil microbes. KEY FINDINGS: • Compost extract did not impact carrot yield at either farm. • Compost extract did not impact soil biota (as measured by a Qualitative Soil Analysis). • Carrots from the High compost extract treatment at Jason Jones farm were significantly longer than untreated plots. • Carrots from the plots treated with compost extract at Siobhan Danreis’ farm showed significantly higher degrees Brix. | Jason Jones · Siobhan Danreis |
| Manure Additives Comparison in Corn Production | 12/07/14 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Applying manure or fertilizer with a nitrogen stabilizer has been identified as a practice farmers can use to reduce the potential for nonpoint source pollution of surface waters. • Farmer-cooperator Tim Sieren assessed the effect on corn yields of liquid swine manure and anhydrous ammonia applied with commercially available nitrogen stabilizers. KEY FINDINGS • Corn yields were the same with and without a nitrogen stabilizer. • The amount spent on N per bushel of corn produced was significantly greater when a nitrogen stabilizer was used | Tim Sieren |
| Summer Squash Following Winter Rye | 12/07/14 | CC BF FC H L LF OE P SG RD |
Fruit and Vegetable farmers want to use cover crops to control weeds on their farms to reduce labor costs and competition with cash crops. • Cereal rye cover crops have been mulch-killed to control weeds in cash crops. KEY FINDINGS • A late-terminated, no-till cover crop negatively affected summer squash yield. | Mustard Seed Community Farm |
| Mulching Comparison for Watermelon & Sweet Potato Production | 12/06/14 | CC BF FC HL LF OE P SG RD |
Fruit and vegetable farmers use mulch to control weed competition plus increase moisture retention for cash crops. • Many fruit and vegetable farmers use plastic mulch but concerns about its environmental sustainability have farmers wanting to test other mulch types. KEY FINDINGS • In 2012, both mulches reduced weeds compared to bare ground and the plastic mulch resulted in greatest sweet potato yields. • In 2013, watermelon production was similar in the paper mulch and control plots. • In 2014, sweet potato production trended higher in the plastic mulch although not statistically greater. The paper mulch and control were similar again but the paper mulch was shredded due to extreme weather leaving little mulch. | Andy and Melissa Dunham · Jordan Scheibel · Mark Quee |
| Are neonicotinoid seed treatments in soybean production worth it? | 12/06/14 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Neonicotinoid seed treatments in soybean production are ubiquitous but recent evidence has called their benefit to yields and their ecological impact into question. • Farmer-cooperators compared soybean yields from soybeans of the same variety grown from neonicotinoid-treated seeds and seeds not treated with a neonicotinoid. KEY FINDINGS • At each location, there was no measured effect of seed treatment on soybean yield. • Furthermore, the economic practicality of neonicotinoid seed treatments can be questioned given the lack of measured yield benefit. | Bob Lynch · Dick Sloan · Wendy & Doug Johson |
| Baseline Bee Data Collection at Two Farms | 12/06/14 | CC BF FC HL LF OE P SG RD |
Pollinators are a critical component of agricultural production, and the populations of bees are declining. Some farms are implementing bee-friendly pollinator habitat, and are curious what effect their efforts have on local populations. • Pollinators were collected in bee bowls from different habitats on two farms. KEY FINDINGS • Nearly 1,300 pollinators were collected. • The most common species at each farm were from family Halictidae (Lasioglossum Dialictus and Agpostemon virenscens). • The prairie garden and unburned prairie habitats had the most diversity of pollinators (number of species) at each farm (26 and 17 species, respectively). • The largest number of pollinators (404) were collected in the pepper field at Mustard Seed Farm. | Sean Skeehan & Jill Beebout · Will Osterholz |
| Green Manure Cover Crops Established with Small Grains | 12/05/14 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Extending and diversifying a crop rotation to include a small grain presents farmers with the opportunity to also include green manure cover crops. • Three farmer-cooperators grew a small grain + red clover and a small grain + cover crop mix preceding corn in their crop rotations. KEY FINDINGS • Red clover frost-seeded with the small grain put on more aboveground biomass and contained more N than the cover crop mix seeded after small grain harvest on one farm. • Corn yields following red clover were greater than those following the cover crop mix at only one farm. • If sufficiently terminated, red clover and the cover crop mix preceding corn in rotation can result in yields comparable to county yield averages. | Bill Buman · Dick Sloan · Vic Madsen |
| Nitrogen Replacement Value of Red Clover | 12/05/14 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Extending and diversifying a crop rotation to include a small grain presents farmers with the opportunity to also include a forage legume that could possibly reduce the need for synthetic N fertilizer. • Cooperator Tim Sieren grew corn in rotation following cereal rye frostseeded with red clover and corn in rotation following cereal rye alone. • Tim also applied a low and high N rate to the corn following rye + red clover and the corn following rye alone. KEY FINDINGS • Corn following rye and red clover and receiving 100 lb N/ac yielded the same as corn following rye alone that received 143 and 190 lb N/ac. • This was enough of a reduction in applied N to significantly reduce the amount of money Tim spent on N fertilizer per bushel of corn produced. | Tim Sieren |
| Side-dressing Corn following a Winter Rye Cover Crop | 12/05/14 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Using cover crops and side-dressing nitrogen fertilizer is a common bundle being investigated by Iowa farmers concerned about soil health, water quality and return on investment of cover crops. • Cooperators grew corn following a winter rye cover crop and applied a low and high rate of N fertilizer in a sidedress application. KEY FINDINGS • In only one of six site-years did the high side-dress N rate result in greater corn yields. • In most cases, by not applying the high N rate the cooperators nearly recouped the cost of establishing the cover crop with savings in N fertilizer. | Jeremy Gustafson · Rob Stout · Tim Smith |
| Quick Turnaround Cover Crops for Horticulture | 12/05/14 | CC BF FC HL LF OE P SG RD |
Fruit and Vegetable farmers use cover crops to improve nutrient cycling and control weeds for increased production efficiency. • Summer cover crops can be challenge due to dry conditions. • Four farms evaluated summer cover crops to determine aboveground biomass production, carbon and nitrogen produced, effects on subsequent cash crop germination and effects on subsequent weed seed germination. KEY FINDINGS • Summer-seeded cover crops produced between 192 and 14,157 lb of biomass per acre across the farms. Species selection, location and days of cover crop growth tended to dictate biomass production. • Not surprisingly, legume species contained more N than nonlegumes, though buckwheat also tended to contain a large amount of N. | Mark Quee · Nicholas Leete and Alice McGary · Rick and Stacy Hartmann · Rob and Tammy Faux |
| Worm Casting Application Methods and Impact on Cabbage Yield | 12/04/14 | CC BF FC HL LF OE P SG RD |
Worm castings, or vermicompost, are a common addition to potting soil mix and greenhouse bedding, and are recommended for use with nearly any plant • Castings can be added at seeding or transplant, used to side-dress during the growing season, incorporated to compost piles or vegetable beds, or steeped as a compost tea and added during watering or as a foliar spray • The objectives of this project were to determine whether casting additions or application method increased yield of fall cabbage. • While differences are seen with other plants in the literature, no differences were seen here | Jordan Scheibel · Mark Quee |
| Goat Grazing to Reduce Parasite Loads | 12/03/14 | CC BF FC H LLF OE P SG RD |
Internal parasites are an important issue in goat production, and parasite resistance to drugs is prevalent. • Grazing management, including frequent rotations and providing browse, reduces the likelihood that goats ingest larvae. • Reductions in FAMACHA score and some fecal egg counts were observed following grazing interseeded pastures. KEY FINDINGS • At Frog Hollow Farm, FAMACHA scores did not change throughout the grazing season, but fecal egg counts were lower after interseeded pastures had been grazed. • At Girl and a Goat Farm, FAMACHA scores and some parasite fecal egg counts were lower in goats grazing seeded pastures. | Dawn Anderson · Mike and Cheryl Hopkins |
| Energy Use and Cost of Starting Seedlings at Three Iowa Farms | 12/02/14 | CC BF FC HL LF OEP SG RD |
Three farms recorded the energy used during seed starting for the 2013 season. • For each plant started, energy cost ranged from $0.002 - $0.033. • Commercial grow lights were the most energy intensive item used by any farmer in the study. • Though energy efficiency improvements could be made, farmers found that starting their own seeds was cost-effective. | Eric and Ann Franzenburg · Susan Jutz · Tim Landgraf and Jan Libbey |
| Winter Greens Production: Sales Revenue and Energy Costs | 11/03/14 | CC BF FC HL LFOEP SG RD |
We compare the energy use of winter high tunnel production to the product revenue during the first season of operation. • Greenhouses and high tunnels allow farmers to extend the growing season. • Greenhouses and high tunnels can increase revenue per square foot. • Managed properly, the increased revenue can offset the expense of additional infrastructure. • In the first winter of production, Lee’s Greens was able to keep their revenue above their energy costs. • Propane was the bulk of the energy expenditure. | Lee Matteson and Rose Schick |
| Grazing Cover Crops for Winter Feed | 11/01/14 | CC BF FC H LLF OE P SG RD |
Feeding cows during the winter is often expensive, requiring investment in stored feeds like hay and extra labor from the producer. • In addition to the numerous benefits of cover crops for row crop farmers, livestock can graze the forage, providing a high-quality and low-cost feed during times of low feed supplies. • Dave and Meg Schmidt planted cover crops and grazed crop residues to reduce expenses and keep their animals out on pasture. • Over three winter seasons, they have maintained animal performance and are starting to see reduced winter feed costs. KEY FINDINGS • Planting cover crops and utilizing crop residue in the late fall has delayed the onset of regular hay feeding. • Calf average daily gain over the winter has improved over the years, implying better nutrition, management, and genetics. • Feeding hay can be successfully offset by cover crops and crop residues. | Dave and Meg Schmidt |
| Hog Feeder Adjustment – Rosmann Family Farm | 11/01/14 | CC BF FC H LLF OE P SG RD |
Organic hogs typically grow slower and are less efficient than conventional hogs. Differences in management may account for some of this. • The Rosmanns worked with ISU swine specialists to implement three levels of feeder management (once-weekly and twice-daily adjustment, and hand-fed). • Hogs under once-weekly and twicedaily adjustment had similar growth and production parameters, with a slight advantage to twice-daily. KEY FINDINGS • Twice-daily adjustment resulted in slightly better feed efficiencies than hogs under once-weekly adjustment. However it required more labor. • Adjusting feeders more frequently provides some feed cost savings and improves the efficiency of gain in finishing organic hogs. | Daniel and Ellen Rosmann · Matt Swantek and Dave Stender · Ron and Maria |
| Grazing Cover Crops on Corn Ground | 11/01/14 | CC BF FC H LLF OE P SG RD |
Cover crops provide a high-quality and low-cost feed during times of low feed supplies. • Beef graziers worked with neighboring row crop farmers to plant cover crops and monitored grazing value. • Grazing cover crops extended the grazing time on crop stubble fields and reduced the amount of stored feeds required. KEY FINDINGS • Soil compaction was not increased following cattle grazing cover crops. • Cover crops provide reasonablypriced forage for grazing livestock, protect the soil for crop farmers, and allow graziers to rest their pastures longer in the spring. | Bruce Carney |
| Initial Summary of Small Grains Trial – handout | 09/01/14 | CC BF FC H LLF OE P SG RD |
and James Frantzen · Irene · Tom | |
| Internal Parasites in Organic Hog Production – 2014 | 09/01/14 | CC BF FC H LLF OE P SG RD |
Organic hogs typically grow slower and are less efficient than conventional hogs. Even a low level of parasite infection can reduce feed efficiency and gain in growing hogs, especially finishing organic hogs which cannot be treated with dewormers. • Hogs treated with IvermectinTM were raised side-by-side with untreated hogs, and were fed the same diet. • Treated and untreated hogs did not differ in feed consumption, gain, or efficiency. KEY FINDINGS • Feed consumption, total weight gain, feed-to-gain ratio, and days to finish were similar between treated and untreated hogs. • Finishing organic hogs may have residual parasite protection from their dams, which may be treated with Ivermectin. • Internal parasites are not a likely source of the reduced efficiency seen in organic as compared to conventional hogs. | and James Frantzen · Irene · Tom |
| Cover Crop Variety Trial 2013-2014 | 08/19/14 | CC BF FC H L LF OE P SG RD |
Cover crop entries were hand seeded at locations into standing corn and soybeans and evaluated for fall ground cover, spring ground cover, and spring biomass production. KEY FINDINGS • Cereal rye and mustard tended to produce the most amount of fall ground cover. • Sufficient rainfall following cover crop seeding is necessary for fall cover crop growth and overwintering potential. • Cereal rye was the only entry to successfully overwinter and produce spring growth and remains a strong cover crop candidate even in the face of a challenging winter. | Chad Ingels · Clarke McGrath · Dave and Meg Schmidt · Jeremy Gustafson · Jerry Depew · Mark Peterson · Myron Rees · Steve McGrew |
| Herbicide Carryover Injury to Cover Crops | 06/01/14 | CC BF FC H L LF OE P SG RD |
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| Winter Cereal Rye Cover Crop Effect on Cash Crop Yield:Year 5 | 03/01/14 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
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| Fruit and Vegetable Production Data Collection-Appendix | 02/01/14 | CC BF FC HL LF OE P SG RD |
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| Fruit and Vegetable Production Data Collection | 02/01/14 | CC BF FC HL LF OE P SG RD |
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| Interseeding winter rye with red clover | 01/09/14 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Dick Sloan | |
| Winter Feed Monitoring | 01/01/14 | CC BF FC H LLF OE P SG RD |
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| Pasture monitoring — Troublesome Creek Cattle Co. | 01/01/14 | CC BF FC H LLF OE P SG RD |
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| Pasture monitoring — Anderson Farm | 01/01/14 | CC BF FC H LLF OE P SG RD |
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| Alternative Swine Rations | 01/01/14 | CC BF FC H LLF OE P SG RD |
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| Non-GMO Corn Strip Trial: Yield and Feed Value | 01/01/14 | CC BF FC H LLF OE P SG RD |
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| Aerial seeding versus drill seeding cover crops: Updated with corn yield observations | 12/31/13 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Steve McGrew | |
| Pasture monitoring 2013—Frog Hollow Farm | 12/01/13 | CC BF FC H LLF OE P SG RD |
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| Fly Monitoring for Grazing Cattle | 12/01/13 | CC BF FC H LLF OE P SG RD |
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| Apple Cider Vinegar Supplementation of Goats | 11/01/13 | CC BF FC H LLF OE P SG RD |
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| Grazing Cover Crops | 11/01/13 | CC BF FC H LLF OE P SG RD |
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| Internal Parasites in Organic Hog Production – Ivermectin Trial | 11/01/13 | CC BF FC H LLF OE P SG RD |
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| Poultry recordkeeping | 11/01/13 | CC BF FC H LLF OE P SG RD |
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| Bell pepper variety trial: California Wonder versus Catriona | 11/01/13 | CC BF FC HL LF OE P SG RD |
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| Lease Considerations for Grazing Cover Crops on Non-owned Land | 08/01/13 | CC BF FC H LLF OE P SG RD |
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| Cover Crop Variety Trial 2012-2013 | 08/01/13 | CC BF FC H L LF OE P SG RD |
Art Behrens · Greg King · Jeremy Gustafson · Jerry Depew · Mike VerSteeg · Morgan McCarty · Myron Rees · Paul Kassel · Stephanie Hyde · Steve McGrew | |
| Aster Yellows in Garlic | 08/01/13 | CC BF FC HL LF OE P SG RD |
Andy Dunham · Ben Saunders · Derek Roller · Ellen Walsh-Rosmann · Gary Guthrie · Jan Libbey · Jordan Clasen · Melissa Dunham · Sally Gran · Susan Jutz · Thomas Burkhead · Tim Landgraf | |
| IDALS Pesticide Bureau Case Files for Alleged Spray Drift to Organic, Fruits and Vegetables, and Horticulture. | 07/01/13 | CC BF FC HL LF OE P SG RD |
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| Winter Rye Cover Crop Effects on Soil | 04/01/13 | CC BF FC H L LF OE P SG RD |
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| Grazing Cover Crops Fact Sheet | 02/01/13 | CC BF FCH LLF OE P SG RD |
Dana Foster · Torray Wilson | |
| Non-GMO Corn Strip Trial Yield and Feed Value | 01/10/13 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
John Gilbert | |
| Flea Beetle Control in Eggplant | 01/09/13 | CC BF FC HL LF OE P SG RD |
Ben Saunders · Mark Quee | |
| Documenting the Improvement of a Perennial Pasture | 01/08/13 | CC BF FC H LLF OE P SG RD |
Nathan Anderson | |
| Fly Monitoring for Grazing Cattle – Preliminary Study | 01/05/13 | CC BF FC H LLF OE P SG RD |
Dave Schmidt · Meg Schmidt | |
| Nutrient composition of poultry from different farms and management systems | 01/03/13 | CC BF FC H LLF OE P SG RD |
Barney Bahrenfuse · Jan Libbey · Janice Marquardt · Rob Faux · Ryan Marquardt · Suzanne Castello · Tammy Faux · Tim Daley · Tim Landgraf | |
| Feeding trial Succotash swine | 01/02/13 | CC BF FC H LLF OE P SG RD |
Daniel Rosmann · Ron Rosmann | |
| Farm Energy Production and Use Between Two Iowa Cropping Systems | 01/01/13 | CC BF FC H L LF OEP SG RD |
Chris Goedhart | |
| Non-GMO Corn Strip Trials Yield and Quality | 10/23/12 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Bruce Kress · John Gilbert | |
| Comparison of Soil Quality Indicators among Different Farming Systems – Final Report | 03/14/12 | CC BF FCH LLF OE P SG RD |
Dan Specht · Dan Wilson · Francis Thicke · Greg Koether · Paul Mugge · Ron Rosmann · Ryan Herman · Steve Reinart · Torray Wilson | |
| Winter Rye Cover Crop Effect on Cash Crop Yields – Year 3 | 03/07/12 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Bill Buman · Dave Nelson · Gary Nelson · George Schaefer · Jerry Sindt · Jim Funcke · Kelly Tobin · Larry Ness · Mark Pokorny · Rick Juchems · Rob Stout | |
| Cover Crops Double Duty Cover and Small Grains | 03/03/12 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
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| The prevention of ancillary roots for increased sweet potato production | 02/06/12 | CC BF FC HL LF OE P SG RD |
Alice McGary · Mark Quee · Nicholas Leete | |
| Aphid Resistant versus Susceptible Soybean Varieties | 02/05/12 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Chris Goedhart · Mark Peterson · Paul Mugge · Ron Rosmann | |
| Blue Gate high tunnels record keeping project, winter, season 3 | 02/05/12 | CC BF FC HL LF OE P SG RD |
Jill Beebout · Sean Skeehan | |
| Local Foods Project | 02/04/12 | CC BF FC H L LFOE P SG RD |
Amy Logan · Anita Maher Lewis · Dean Lewis · Harold Andersen · Joel Logan · Marilyn Andersen · Rich Schuler · Susan Posch · Teresa Opheim · Tomoko Ogawa | |
| PFI Local Food Study | 02/01/12 | CC BF FC H L LFOE P SG RD |
Amy Logan · Anita Maher Lewis · Dean Lewis · Harold Andersen · Joel Logan · Marilyn Andersen · Rich Schuler · Susan Posch · Teresa Opheim · Tomoko Ogawa | |
| Comparison of steady-state water-infiltration rates among farming systems – Final report | 02/01/12 | CC BF FCH LLF OE P SG RD |
Dan Specht · Dan Wilson · Francis Thicke · Greg Koether · Ryan Herman · Steve Reinart · Torray Wilson | |
| Soybean planting date impact on yield in organic systems | 01/31/12 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
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| Role of Cover Crops in Converting Perennial Pasture to Vegetable Ground | 01/31/12 | CC BF FC HL LF OE P SG RD |
Mark Quee | |
| Low Trypsin-Inhibition Soybean Demonstration | 01/28/12 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
John Gilbert | |
| Non-toxic, physical flea beetle controls, year 2 | 01/28/12 | CC BF FC HL LF OE P SG RD |
Ben Saunders | |
| Monitoring winter cattle diets | 08/05/11 | CC BF FC H LLF OE P SG RD |
Bruce Carney · Jake Meyers | |
| Assessing Tillage Radish for Weed Control in Vegetable Production | 06/09/11 | CC BF FC HL LF OE P SG RD |
Jan Libbey · Tim Landgraf | |
| Blue Gate Farms High Tunnels Take 3 | 02/09/11 | CC BF FC HL LF OE P SG RD |
Jill Beebout · Sean Skeehan | |
| Comparison of Steady State Water Infiltration Rates Among Farming Systems | 02/08/11 | CC BF FC H LLF OE P SG RD |
Bruce Carney · Dan Specht · Dan Wilson · Francis Thicke · Greg Koether · Linda Grice · Paul Mugge · Ron Rosmann · Ryan Herman · Tom German · Torray Wilson | |
| Effectiveness of White Mustard on Spring Weeds | 02/07/11 | CC BF FC HL LF OE P SG RD |
Jason Jones | |
| Aphid Resistant (AR) Versus Susceptible (SC) Soybeans | 02/04/11 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
David Haden · Jeff Olson · Paul Mugge · Ron Rosmann · Tom Frantzen | |
| Soil Quality Indicators Among Different Farming Systems | 02/04/11 | CC BF FC H LLF OE P SG RD |
Bruce Carney · Dan Specht · Dan Wilson · Francis Thicke · Greg Koether · Linda Grice · Paul Mugge · Ron Rosmann · Ryan Herman · Tom Frantzen · Tom German · Torray Wilson | |
| Comparison of Stocker Gains from Grazing Different Forages | 01/14/11 | CC BF FC H LLF OE P SG RD |
Bruce Carney · Derek Carney | |
| Non-toxic, Physical Flea Beetle Controls | 01/04/11 | CC BF FC HL LF OE P SG RD |
Ben Saunders | |
| Tillage Radish to Control Weeds in Horticulture Crops | 11/03/10 | CC BF FC HL LF OE P SG RD |
Mark Quee | |
| Blue Gate Farms High Tunnels Take 2 | 02/12/10 | CC BF FC HL LF OE P SG RD |
Jill Beebout · Sean Skeehan | |
| Tomato Support Systems for Heirloom Varieties | 02/11/10 | CC BF FC HL LF OE P SG RD |
Jan Libbey · Jill Beebout · Rob Faux · Sean Skeehan · Tammy Faux · Tim Landgraf | |
| Aphid Resistance in Organic Soybean Production | 02/10/10 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Ron Rosmann | |
| Heirloom Tomato Grafting | 02/09/10 | CC BF FC HL LF OE P SG RD |
Andy Dunham | |
| Comparison of High-methionine Maize | 02/08/10 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Cindy Madsen · Cindy McCullough · Kristjan Brengendahl · Linda Pollak · Vic Madsen | |
| Subsoil Heat in a Greenhouse | 02/07/10 | CC BF FC HL LF OEP SG RD |
Ann Franzenburg · Eric Franzenburg | |
| Season Extension in a Wood-Heated Structure | 02/05/10 | CC BF FC HL LF OEP SG RD |
Dean Henry · Judy Henry | |
| Establishing Red Clover, Hairy Vetch and Turnips at Last Cultivation of Corn | 02/04/10 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Ron Rosmann | |
| Season Extension Small Potatoes Farm | 02/03/10 | CC BF FC HL LF OE P SG RD |
Rick Hartmann · Stacy Hartmann | |
| Comparison of Poultry Breeds | 02/02/10 | CC BF FC H LLF OE P SG RD |
Dana Foster · Rob Faux · Tammy Faux · Tim Daley | |
| Bioenergy Diversity from Sustainable Systems and Crops | 02/01/10 | CC BF FC H L LF OEP SG RD |
Berl Biekert · Gary Laydon · Kim Odden · Pat Mennenga | |
| High Tunnels Are They Lucrative? | 02/01/09 | CC BF FC HL LF OE P SG RD |
Jill Beebout · Sean Skeehan | |
| PFI Flame Cultivation Research in Corn – Effectiveness and Cost | 02/11/08 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Dennis Abbas · Dottie Dunphy · Doug Alert · Eve Abbas · Gary Guthrie · Joe Fitzgerald · Margaret Smith · Nancy Guthrie · Rick Exner · Ron Dunphy | |
| Weeds and Cover Crops | 02/10/08 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Dick Thompson · Dottie Dunphy · Doug Alert · Margaret Smith · Ron Dunphy · Sharon Thompson | |
| Flax as Niche Crop | 02/09/08 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Art Behrens · Dan Parizek · David Williams · Doug Alert · John Veith · Joleen Parizek · Karen Mugge · Ken Choquette · Margaret Smith · Maria Rosmann · Mary Wiedenhoeft · Norma Williams · Paul Mugge · Ron Rosmann · Rose Behrens · Sarah Carlson | |
| Oat Crown Rust Vs. Biodiversity | 02/08/08 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
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| Seed Treatments | 02/07/08 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Doug Alert · Kathleen Delate · Margaret Smith · Susana Goggi | |
| Evolving Our System – What Didn’t Work and What Is Working Now | 02/06/08 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Dick Thompson · Sharon Thompson | |
| Protecting Sweet Corn from the Corn Earworm with Vegetable Oil and Btk | 02/05/08 | CC BF FC HL LF OE P SG RD |
Gary Guthrie · Nancy Guthrie | |
| Fitting Flax in the Rotation | 02/04/08 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Karen Mugge · Paul Mugge | |
| Weed Management in Flax Production On-farm Trials | 02/03/08 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Art Behrens · Dan Parizek · Doug Alert · John Veith · Ken Choquette · Margaret Smith · Mary Wiedenhoeft · Paul Mugge · Ron Rosmann · Sarah Carlson | |
| Let Sleeping Weeds Lie | 02/02/08 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Maria Rosmann · Ron Rosmann | |
| Hoophouses and Composting – A Good Match? | 02/01/08 | CC BF FC H LLF OE P SG RD |
Carla Wilson · Cindy Madsen · Colin Wilson · Dan Wilson · Irene Frantzen · Karen Mugge · Lorna Wilson · Matt Liebman · Paul Mugge · Ruth Fredericks · Terry Loecke · Tom Frantzen · Tom Richard · Vic Madsen · Wayne Fredericks | |
| Breeding Corn for Sustainable Agriculture | 02/03/07 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Bob Burcham · Dan Specht · Don Adams · Earl Hafner · Francis Blake · Gary Laydon · Jeff Hafner · Kendall Lamkey · LaDonna Brunk · Laura Krouse · Linda Grice · Mike Natvig · Nan Bonfils · Pat Mennenga · Ron Brunk · Ron Grice · Ronda Hafner · Steve Brunk · Tara Beck-Brunk · Walter Goldstein | |
| Combination Treatment for Cucumber Beetles | 02/02/07 | CC BF FC HL LF OE P SG RD |
Laura Krouse · Sally Worley · Susan Jutz | |
| The Research Alliance for Farrowing Project | 02/01/07 | CC BF FC H LLF OE P SG RD |
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| Low Linolenic Oil Organic Soybeans | 02/02/06 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Dottie Dunphy · Ron Dunphy | |
| Matching the Hybrid and the Year | 02/01/06 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Dick Thompson · Sharon Thompson | |
| Triticale – A Step Towards Diversity | 02/01/05 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Karen Mugge · Lance Gibson · Paul Mugge | |
| Biological Control of Soybean Aphid | 02/10/04 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Junwei Zhu | |
| Corn Breeding for Quality | 02/09/04 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Don Adams · Nan Bonfils | |
| Cover Crops with Reconfigured Ridge-till | 02/08/04 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Dick Thompson · Sharon Thompson | |
| Fertility Trials | 02/07/04 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Karen Mugge · Paul Mugge | |
| Klinge/Tidwell Cropping Systems Analysis | 02/06/04 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Deb Tidwell · Jeff Klinge | |
| Thompson Cropping System Analysis | 02/05/04 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Deb Tidwell · Dick Thompson · Jeff Klinge · Sharon Thompson | |
| Triticale – Is This My Beautiful Alternative Crop? | 02/04/04 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Karen Mugge · Lance Gibson · Paul Mugge | |
| Cucumber Beetle Management | 02/03/04 | CC BF FC HL LF OE P SG RD |
Gary Guthrie · Laura Krouse · Nancy Guthrie | |
| Alternative Parasite Management – Are We There Yet? | 02/02/04 | CC BF FC H LLF OE P SG RD |
Frances Zacharakis-Jutz · Walt Ebert | |
| Oats in Swine Rations | 02/01/04 | CC BF FC H LLF OE P SG RD |
Carla Wilson · Colin Wilson · Dan Wilson · Karen Mugge · Lorna Wilson · Paul Mugge · Ruth Fredericks · Wayne Fredericks | |
| Corn Variety Trials | 02/06/03 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Walter Goldstein | |
| Fertility Trials, Field Crops | 02/05/03 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Becky Struthers · Dave Struthers · Karen Mugge · Paul Mugge | |
| Fertility Trials, Vegetable Crops | 02/04/03 | CC BF FC HL LF OE P SG RD |
Angela Tedesco · Gary Guthrie · Nancy Guthrie | |
| Weed Management | 02/03/03 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Karen Mugge · Paul Mugge | |
| Parasite Research | 02/02/03 | CC BF FC H LLF OE P SG RD |
Frances Zacharakis-Jutz · Irene Frantzen · Susan Jutz · Tom Frantzen · Walt Ebert | |
| Herd Health | 02/01/03 | CC BF FC H LLF OE P SG RD |
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| Assorted Questions | 02/08/02 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Charlie Martinson · Dave Lubben · Dieter Geest · Lisa Lubben | |
| Fertility Paradigms | 02/07/02 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Dave Lubben · Dave Ruden · Dennis Abbas · Eve Abbas · John Bokelman · John Hestad · Karen Mugge · Lisa Lubben · Paul Mugge | |
| Organic Soybeans Production Budget | 02/06/02 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Jeff Klinge | |
| Variety Comparisons | 02/05/02 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Kendall Lamkey · LaDonna Brunk · Ron Brunk · Steve Brunk · Tara Beck-Brunk | |
| Weeds – Alternative Approaches | 02/04/02 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Dick Thompson · Doug Alert · Karen Mugge · Margaret Smith · Paul Mugge · Sharon Thompson | |
| Veggies Varieties, Fertilization, and Planting | 02/03/02 | CC BF FC HL LF OE P SG RD |
Amy Miller · Angela Tedesco · Diane Weiland · Gary Guthrie · Nancy Guthrie | |
| Composting Hoophouse Manure – Is it Worth It? | 02/02/02 | CC BF FC H LLF OE P SG RD |
Cindy Cambardella · Matt Liebman · Tom Richard | |
| Biosolids – Who Pays? | 02/01/02 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Becky Struthers · Carla Wilson · Colin Wilson · Dave Struthers · Dick Thompson · Karen Mugge · Paul Mugge · Ruth Fredericks · Sharon Thompson · Wayne Fredericks | |
| 1999 Organic Soybean Production Budget | 02/12/01 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Jeff Klinge | |
| Fertility Paradigms | 02/11/01 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Dave Lubben · Dave Ruden · Dennis Abbas · Eve Abbas · John Bokelman · John Hestad · Karen Mugge · Lisa Lubben · Paul Mugge | |
| Manure and Compost | 02/10/01 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Becky Struthers · Carla Wilson · Cindy Cambardella · Cindy Madsen · Colin Wilson · Dan Wilson · Dave Struthers · Irene Frantzen · Karen Mugge · Lorna Wilson · Matt Liebman · Paul Mugge · Ruth Fredericks · Tom Frantzen · Tom Richard · Vic Madsen · Wayne Fredericks | |
| Nitrogen and Seed Treatment Trials | 02/09/01 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Becky Struthers · Darwin McGhee · Dave Struthers · Gary Wilcox · Joan Lubke · John Lubke · Ruth Fredericks · Venita Wilcox · Wayne Fredericks | |
| Starter Fertilizer | 02/08/01 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Annette Valvick · Arlyn Valvick | |
| Strip Intercropping – Walking and Jumping in a Dry Year | 02/07/01 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Karen Mugge · Paul Mugge · Richard Cruse | |
| Variety and Planting Trials | 02/06/01 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Dan Specht · David Burns · Kendall Lamkey · Maria Rosmann · Ron Rosmann · Walter Goldstein | |
| Flaming for Weeds | 02/05/01 | CC BF FC HL LF OE P SG RD |
Dennis Abbas · Eve Abbas · Gary Guthrie | |
| Farm Economic Analysis | 02/04/01 | CC BF FC HL LF OE P SG RD |
Jan Libbey · Tim Landgraf | |
| Cucumber Beetle vs Tedesco | 02/03/01 | CC BF FC HL LF OE P SG RD |
Angela Tedesco | |
| ZJ Farm Organic Wormer Project | 02/02/01 | CC BF FC H LLF OE P SG RD |
Jeff Jutz · Susan Jutz | |
| Grazing Plus – What? | 02/01/01 | CC BF FC H LLF OE P SG RD |
Diana Stewart · Matt Stewart | |
| Fertility Paradigms | 02/11/00 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Dave Lubben · Karen Mugge · Lisa Lubben · Paul Mugge | |
| IPM and Seed Trials | 02/10/00 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Gary Guthrie · Maria Rosmann · Nancy Guthrie · Ron Rosmann | |
| Cropping Systems | 02/09/00 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Deb Tidwell · Dick Thompson · Jeff Klinge · Sharon Thompson | |
| Nitrogen | 02/08/00 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Becky Struthers · Brad Harvey · Bryan Sievers · Chris Harvey · Dave Struthers · Joan Lubke · John Lubke · Lisa Sievers | |
| Other Fertility Research | 02/07/00 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Annette Valvick · Arlyn Valvick · Carla Wilson · Colin Wilson · Dan Wilson · Dennis Abbas · Eve Abbas · Jean Sellers · John Sellers · June Weis · Lorna Wilson · Steve Weis | |
| Strip Intercropping – Taking Advantage | 02/06/00 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Karen Mugge · Michael Ellsbury · Paul Mugge | |
| Variety and Planting Trials | 02/05/00 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Gary Wilcox · Venita Wilcox | |
| CSA Farm Economic Analysis | 02/04/00 | CC BF FC HL LF OE P SG RD |
Jan Libbey · Tim Landgraf | |
| Mulch Ado About Onions (and Potatoes) | 02/03/00 | CC BF FC HL LF OE P SG RD |
Angela Tedesco · John Tedesco · Marion Moser · Virginia Moser | |
| Grass-Based Dairy Farming in the Upper Midwest | 02/02/00 | CC BF FC H LLF OE P SG RD |
Matt Stewart | |
| Alternative Parasite Control in Dairy Goats, An On-going Study | 02/01/00 | CC BF FC H LLF OE P SG RD |
Frances Zacharakis-Jutz · Susan Jutz | |
| Food Grade Fertilizers | 02/13/99 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Todd Hartsock | |
| Fungal Control of Corn Borer – Year Three | 02/12/99 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Dennis McLaughlin · Doug Alert · Kate McLaughlin · LaDonna Brunk · Margaret Smith · Ron Brunk | |
| IPM and Planting Trials | 02/11/99 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Gary Guthrie · Maria Rosmann · Nancy Guthrie · Ron Rosmann | |
| Manure Trials | 02/10/99 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Carla Wilson · Colin Wilson · Dan Wilson · Karen Mugge · LaDonna Brunk · Lorna Wilson · Paul Mugge · Ron Brunk · Steve Brunk · Tara Beck-Brunk | |
| More Fertility Trials | 02/09/99 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Becky Struthers · Dave Struthers · Dennis Abbas · Eve Abbas · Gayle Olson · Jeff Olson · Karen Mugge · Paul Mugge | |
| Multiple Treatment Variety Trials | 02/08/99 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Rob De Haan | |
| Multiple Treatment Weed and Planting Trials | 02/07/99 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Angela Tedesco · Irene Frantzen · Laura Jackson · Marion Moser · Tom Frantzen · Virginia Moser | |
| Organic and Conventional Corn | 02/06/99 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Deb Tidwell · Jeff Klinge | |
| Strip Harvesting to Manage Potato Leafhopper in Alfalfa | 02/05/99 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Deb Tidwell · Jeff Klinge · Julie Roose · Laura Weiser · Mark Roose | |
| Strip Intercropping | 02/04/99 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Karen Mugge · Michael Ellsbury · Paul Mugge · Richard Cruse | |
| Weed Management Trials | 02/03/99 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Dick Thompson · Joe Fitzgerald · Sharon Thompson | |
| Stream Monitoring on the Norman Borlaug Farm | 02/02/99 | CC BF FC H LLF OE P SG RD |
Mike Natvig | |
| Why Holstein Heifers | 02/01/99 | CC BF FC H LLF OE P SG RD |
Diana Stewart · Matt Stewart | |
| Crop Varieties and Engineered Genetics | 02/14/98 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Dave Lubben · Lisa Lubben | |
| Deep Banding – One Year Later | 02/13/98 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Gayle Olson · Jeff Olson · Karen Mugge · Paul Mugge | |
| First Year Experience with Organic Corn | 02/12/98 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Deb Tidwell · Jeff Klinge | |
| Fungal Control of Corn Borer – Year Two | 02/11/98 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Dennis McLaughlin · Doug Alert · Kate McLaughlin · LaDonna Brunk · Margaret Smith · Ron Brunk · Steve Brunk · Tara Beck-Brunk | |
| Livestock Manure – Crop Response and Economics | 02/10/98 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Jim Boes · Karen Mugge · Ken Rosmann · Lynn Boes · Paul Mugge | |
| Manure Source Trial at the Ken Rosmann Farm | 02/09/98 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Ken Rosmann | |
| More Planting Trials | 02/08/98 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Carla Wilson · Colin Wilson · Dan Wilson · Dave Lubben · Doyle Wilson · Lisa Lubben · Lorna Wilson · Lowell Wilson | |
| Oats and Seed Firmers | 02/07/98 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Dave Lubben · Gayle Olson · Jeff Olson · Lisa Lubben | |
| Optimizing Biotic Mortality to Reduce Insecticide Use in Alfalfa | 02/06/98 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Deb Tidwell · Jeff Klinge · Joe Fitzgerald · John Obrycki · Joseph Munyaneza · Julie Roose · Mark Roose | |
| Specialty Crop Production Systems | 02/05/98 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Deb Tidwell · Jeff Klinge · Karen Mugge · Paul Mugge | |
| Strip Intercropping Life on the Edge | 02/04/98 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Gayle Olson · Jeff Olson · Karen Mugge · Paul Mugge | |
| Tillage and Weeds | 02/03/98 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Dick Thompson · Maria Rosmann · Ron Rosmann · Sharon Thompson | |
| Time Calving to Suit Your Circumstances | 02/02/98 | CC BF FC H LLF OE P SG RD |
Diana Stewart · Matt Stewart | |
| First Year Experience with Hoophouse Hogs | 02/01/98 | CC BF FC H LLF OE P SG RD |
Steve Weis | |
| Deep Placement Nutrients in Minimum Tillage Systems | 02/16/97 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Antonio Mallarino · Rick Exner | |
| Corn Borer Control with the Fungus Beauveria | 02/15/97 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Dennis McLaughlin · Doug Alert · Kate McLaughlin · LaDonna Brunk · Les Lewis · Margaret Smith · Ron Brunk | |
| Improving IPM | 02/14/97 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Julie Roose · Kris Giles · Mark Roose | |
| IPM Projects Learning to Work with the Agricultural Ecosystem | 02/13/97 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Jeff Klinge · Julie Roose · Kris Giles · Mark Roose | |
| My Experience with IPM and Biological Control of Alfalfa Weevil and Potato Leafhopper | 02/12/97 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Jeff Klinge · Kris Giles | |
| N and Manure | 02/11/97 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Dick Thompson · LaDonna Brunk · Marj Stonecypher · Ray Stonecypher · Ron Brunk · Sharon Thompson · Steve Brunk · Tara Beck-Brunk | |
| Planting Trials | 02/10/97 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Dave Lubben · Donna Bauer · Lisa Lubben · Ted Bauer | |
| Rootworms in Strip Intercropping | 02/09/97 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Karen Mugge · Michael Ellsbury · Paul Mugge | |
| Strip Intercropping Yields and “Bugs” | 02/08/97 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Gayle Olson · Jeff Olson · Karen Mugge · Paul Mugge | |
| Testing the Fungus Beauveria on Corn Borer Three Cooperators’ Perspectives | 02/07/97 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Dennis McLaughlin · Doug Alert · Kate McLaughlin · LaDonna Brunk · Margaret Smith · Ron Brunk | |
| Trichogramma Wasps for European Corn Borer at New Melleray Abbey | 02/06/97 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Joe Fitzgerald | |
| Variety Trials | 02/05/97 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Dave Lubben · Ken Rosmann · Lisa Lubben | |
| Weed Management | 02/04/97 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Dick Thompson · Irene Frantzen · Sharon Thompson · Tom Frantzen | |
| Hazelnut Establishment | 02/03/97 | CC BF FC HL LF OE P SG RD |
Irene Frantzen · Mike Natvig · Tom Frantzen | |
| Learning How to Use Management-Intensive Grazing in Our Dairy Operation | 02/02/97 | CC BF FC H LLF OE P SG RD |
Diana Stewart · Matt Stewart | |
| Alfalfa as a Feed Supplement for Finishing Hogs | 02/01/97 | CC BF FC H LLF OE P SG RD |
Maria Rosmann · Ron Rosmann | |
| Berseem Clover Before Corn | 02/17/96 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Irene Frantzen · Tom Frantzen | |
| Biological Control of Alfalfa Weevil – 1 | 02/16/96 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Julie Roose · Kris Giles · Mark Roose | |
| Biological Control of Alfalfa Weevil – 2 | 02/15/96 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Kris Giles · Phil Specht · Sharon Specht | |
| Biological Control of Corn Borer | 02/14/96 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Joe Fitzgerald | |
| Biologicals | 02/13/96 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
John Wurpts · Rosie Wurpts | |
| Deep Banding | 02/12/96 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Dean Ekstrand · Deborah Ekstrand · Dick Thompson · Don Davidson · Donna Bauer · Sharon Davidson · Sharon Thompson · Ted Bauer | |
| Manure and Planter Row Fertilizer | 02/11/96 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Dick Thompson · Sharon Thompson | |
| Other Seed and Seeding Trials | 02/10/96 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Dave Lubben · Donna Bauer · Lisa Lubben · Ted Bauer | |
| Purchased Manure | 02/09/96 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Irene Frantzen · Maria Rosmann · Ron Rosmann · Tom Frantzen | |
| Strip Intercropping | 02/08/96 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Jeff Olson · Michael Ellsbury · Mo Ghaffarzadeh · Paul Mugge · Richard Cruse · Steve Rash · Tom Frantzen | |
| Using the Late Spring Test | 02/07/96 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Karen Mugge · Marj Stonecypher · Paul Mugge · Ray Stonecypher | |
| Weed Management Trials | 02/06/96 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Dick Thompson · Don Davidson · Maria Rosmann · Ron Rosmann · Sharon Davidson · Sharon Thompson | |
| Hazelnut Establishment | 02/05/96 | CC BF FC HL LF OE P SG RD |
Irene Frantzen · Mike Natvig · Shelly Natvig · Tom Frantzen | |
| Trees for Biodiversity | 02/04/96 | CC BF FC HL LF OE P SG RD |
Carl Mize · Diana Stewart · Laura Jackson · Matt Stewart | |
| Learning When to Calve in a Grass-Based Dairy | 02/03/96 | CC BF FC H LLF OE P SG RD |
Diana Stewart · Matt Stewart | |
| Rotational Grazing at Neely-Kinyon | 02/02/96 | CC BF FC H LLF OE P SG RD |
Bill Wunder · Jim Russell | |
| Barley Versus Corn Based Hog Rations | 02/01/96 | CC BF FC H LLF OE P SG RD |
Carla Wilson · Colin Wilson · Dan Wilson · Lorna Wilson | |
| Nitrogen Management Resources | 02/14/95 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
– | |
| Nitrogen Management Using Ridge Tillage | 02/13/95 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
– | |
| Banded Fertilizers | 02/12/95 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Dick Thompson · Doug Alert · Harlan Grau · Margaret Smith · Maria Rosmann · Marj Stonecypher · Ray Stonecypher · Ron Rosmann · Sharon Grau · Sharon Thompson | |
| Biologicals and Unconventional Products | 02/11/95 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Gayle Olson · Jeff Olson · John Wurpts · Linda Stock · Lynn Stock · Rosie Wurpts | |
| Corn Population Trials | 02/10/95 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Maria Rosmann · Ron Rosmann | |
| Miscellaneous Trials | 02/09/95 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Donna Bauer · Irene Frantzen · Maria Rosmann · Ron Rosmann · Ted Bauer · Tom Frantzen | |
| Narrow Strip Intercropping | 02/08/95 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Doug Alert · Margaret Smith | |
| Nitrogen | 02/07/95 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Irene Frantzen · Tom Frantzen | |
| Tillage | 02/06/95 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Dick Thompson · Don Davidson · Donna Bauer · Sharon Davidson · Sharon Thompson · Ted Bauer | |
| Weed Management | 02/05/95 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Dick Svoboda · Donna Bauer · Karen Mugge · Mary Jane Svoboda · Paul Mugge · Ted Bauer | |
| Forage Quality and Returns from Grazing | 02/04/95 | CC BF FC H LLF OE P SG RD |
Sarah Andreasen · Steve Hopkins | |
| Transition to Grazing for Dairy | 02/03/95 | CC BF FC H LLF OE P SG RD |
Diana Stewart · Matt Stewart | |
| Pasture Versus Feedlot for Dairy Heifers | 02/02/95 | CC BF FC H LLF OE P SG RD |
– | |
| Barley-Based Hog Ration vs. a Corn Based Ration | 02/01/95 | CC BF FC H LLF OE P SG RD |
Colin Wilson · Dan Wilson | |
| Manure Trials | 02/08/94 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Cindy Madsen · Dick Svoboda · Mary Jane Svoboda · Vic Madsen | |
| Miscellaneous Trials | 02/07/94 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Donna Bauer · Gayle Olson · Irene Frantzen · Jeff Olson · Ted Bauer · Tom Frantzen | |
| Nitrogen | 02/06/94 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Donna Bauer · Ted Bauer | |
| Other Fertilizer Trials | 02/05/94 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Gayle Olson · Jeff Olson · John Wurpts · Marj Stonecypher · Ray Stonecypher · Rosie Wurpts | |
| Starter and Fertilizer Placement Trials | 02/04/94 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Dick Thompson · Doug Alert · Gayle Olson · Harlan Grau · Jeff Olson · Marj Stonecypher · Ray Stonecypher · Sharon Grau · Sharon Thompson | |
| Tillage Trials | 02/03/94 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Don Davidson · Gayle Olson · Jeff Olson · Sharon Davidson | |
| Weed Management Trials | 02/02/94 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Cindy Madsen · Dick Thompson · Doyle Wilson · Karen Mugge · Lowell Wilson · Paul Mugge · Sharon Thompson · Vic Madsen | |
| Grazing | 02/01/94 | CC BF FC H LLF OE P SG RD |
Sarah Andreasen · Steve Hopkins | |
| Biological Soil Amendments | 02/11/93 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
– | |
| Forage, Cover Cropping, and Weed Management | 02/10/93 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Dick Thompson · Gayle Olson · Jeff Olson · Sharon Thompson | |
| Late Season Stalk Nitrate Test | 02/09/93 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
– | |
| Manure Trials | 02/08/93 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Cindy Madsen · Dick Svoboda · Irene Frantzen · Jamie Reicherts · Maria Rosmann · Mary Jane Svoboda · Mike Reicherts · Ron Rosmann · Tom Frantzen · Vic Madsen | |
| Narrow Strip Intercropping | 02/07/93 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Dick Thompson · Doug Alert · Gayle Olson · Irene Frantzen · Jeff Olson · Karen Mugge · Paul Mugge · Sharon Thompson · Tom Frantzen | |
| Narrow Strip Intercropping | 02/06/93 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Doug Alert · Jeff Olson · Karen Mugge · Paul Mugge · Richard Cruse | |
| Nitrogen | 02/05/93 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Jeff Olson · Linda Stock · Lynn Stock · Mike Natvig · Todd Hartsock · Tom Frantzen | |
| Other Fertility Trials | 02/04/93 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Gayle Olson · Gloria Leazer · Jeff Olson · Karen Mugge · Marj Stonecypher · Paul Mugge · Ray Stonecypher · Steve Leazer | |
| Starter Fertilizer Trials | 02/03/93 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Dick Svoboda · Dick Thompson · Marj Stonecypher · Mary Jane Svoboda · Ray Stonecypher · Sharon Thompson | |
| Tillage Trials | 02/02/93 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Dave Lubben · Don Davidson · Gayle Olson · Jamie Reicherts · Jeff Olson · Lisa Lubben · Mike Reicherts · Sharon Davidson | |
| Weed Trials | 02/01/93 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Alesia Lacina · Dick Thompson · Paul Mugge · Sharon Thompson · Tom Lacina | |
| Weed Management in Ridge Tillage | 02/09/92 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Maria Rosmann · Ron Rosmann | |
| Cover Crops | 02/08/92 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Dick Thompson · Sharon Thompson | |
| Manure | 02/07/92 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Dick Svoboda · Jamie Reicherts · Mary Jane Svoboda · Mike Reicherts | |
| Narrow Strip Intercropping | 02/06/92 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Karen Mugge · Mike Reicherts · Paul Mugge · Richard Cruse | |
| Nitrogen | 02/05/92 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Alfred Blackmer · Don Davidson · Donna Bauer · Irene Frantzen · Sharon Davidson · Ted Bauer · Tom Frantzen | |
| Other Trials of Interest | 02/04/92 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Dick Thompson · Don Davidson · Donna Bauer · Gloria Leazer · Jamie Reicherts · Jim Striegel · Mark Mays · Mike Reicherts · Rita Mays · Sharon Davidson · Sharon Thompson · Steve Leazer · Ted Bauer · Vickie Striegel | |
| Phosphorus and Potassium and Deep Banding | 02/03/92 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Gayle Olson · Harlan Grau · Jeff Olson · Karen Mugge · Paul Mugge · Sharon Grau | |
| Starter Fertilizers | 02/02/92 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Dave Lubben · Dick Thompson · Jerry Carlson · Jill Carlson · Lisa Lubben · Marj Stonecypher · Mark Mays · Ray Stonecypher · Rita Mays · Sharon Thompson | |
| Weed Management Trials | 02/01/92 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
– | |
| More on Narrow Strip Intercropping | 02/08/91 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Paul Mugge · Richard Cruse | |
| Cover Crop Trials | 02/07/91 | CC BF FC H L LF OE P SG RD |
– | |
| Manure | 02/06/91 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Dick Svoboda · Mike Reicherts | |
| Nitrogen Trials | 02/05/91 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Allyn Hagensick · Cindy Madsen · Don Davidson · Donna Bauer · Irene Frantzen · Maria Rosmann · Marj Stonecypher · Ray Stonecypher · Ron Rosmann · Sharon Davidson · Ted Bauer · Tom Frantzen · Vic Madsen | |
| Oat Trials | 02/04/91 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Irene Frantzen · Jamie Reicherts · Maria Rosmann · Mike Reicherts · Ron Rosmann · Tom Frantzen | |
| Other Fertility Trials | 02/03/91 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Allyn Hagensick · Dick Thompson · Hal Bumgarner · Harlan Grau · Mark Mays · Steve Leazer · Todd Hartsock · Tom Frantzen | |
| Tillage | 02/02/91 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Paul Mugge · Todd Hartsock · Tom Frantzen | |
| Weed Trials | 02/01/91 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Dick Thompson · Jeff Olson · Jerry Carlson · Mark Mays · Rod Treimer · Thomas Jurik · Tom Frantzen | |
| Cover Crops | 02/06/90 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Dick Thompson · Tom Frantzen | |
| Nitrogen Experiments | 02/05/90 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
– | |
| Other Fertility Demonstrations | 02/04/90 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Dick Svoboda · Dick Thompson · Ron Rosmann | |
| Other PFI Trials | 02/03/90 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Jerry Carlson · Steve Leazer | |
| Tillage Trials | 02/02/90 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Dick Thompson · Ron Rosmann · Todd Hartsock | |
| Weed Control Trials | 02/01/90 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Dick Thompson · Todd Hartsock | |
| Biological Additions | 02/08/89 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Ed Broders | |
| Fall Legume Cover Crops | 02/07/89 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Allyn Hagensick · Mark Mays | |
| Herbicide Experiments | 02/06/89 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Allyn Hagensick · Harlan Grau · Marj Stonecypher · Mark Mays · Ray Stonecypher · Sharon Grau · Todd Hartsock | |
| Insecticide | 02/05/89 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Steve Leazer | |
| Nitrogen Experiments | 02/04/89 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Allyn Hagensick · Cindy Madsen · Dick Thompson · Donna Bauer · Marj Stonecypher · Ray Stonecypher · Sharon Thompson · Ted Bauer · Vic Madsen | |
| Nutrient Tie Up | 02/03/89 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Don Davidson | |
| Side Dress Liquid Manure | 02/02/89 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Dick Svoboda · Irene Frantzen · Jamie Reicherts · Mary Jane Svoboda · Mike Reicherts · Tom Frantzen | |
| Weed Counts | 02/01/89 | CC BF FCH L LF OE P SG RD |
Ron Rosmann | |