Progress 12/15/98 to 12/31/03
Outputs The final year of activity with this project was completed. Adoption of alternative crops continued to increase in participating states, with over 100 producers becoming involved for the first time with production of sunflowers, millet, specialty grass seed, Indian grass, and other oilseeds. The project has developed additional production data on each of these crops, as well as meadowfoam. Marketing efforts have helped support opportunities for sunflower, Indian grass, and specialty grass seed crops. Some of these crops can have enhanced profit by being double croppped, including flax and winter canola as first crops, and buckwheat, sunflowers, and pearl millet as second crops.
Impacts This project had several types of impacts in the participating states, including development of additional knowledge about agronomic and economic performance of several different alternative crops. A practical impact has also been adoption of alternative crops by over 100 farmers in participating states, with positive economic returns to those farmers. Also, well over 2000 individuals have participated in educational events under this project to learn about crop diversification opportunities, and as a result have developed a greater understanding of the benefits and options available with diversification.
Publications
- Strategies for Commercializing New Crops. 2003 Proceedings of a Workshop, St. Louis, MO. 16 p. Jefferson Institute, Columbia, MO.
- Marketing Specialty Crops. 2003. A. Weber. Alternative Crop Marketing Directory, 4 p. Jefferson Institute, Columbia, MO.
- Obtaining Seed for Specialty Crops. 2003. R. Myers. Alternative Crop Seed Source Directory, 4 p. Jefferson Institute, Columbia, MO.
- Pearl Millet: A New Grain Crop Option for Sandy Soils or other Moisture Limited Conditions. Revised 2003. R. Myers. Technical Bulletin, 4 p. Jefferson Institute, Columbia, MO.
- Grain Amaranth: A Lost Crop of the Americas. Revised 2003. R. Myers. Technical Bulletin, 4 p. Jefferson Institute, Columbia, MO.
- Sunflower: A Native Oilseed with Growing Markets. Revised 2003. R. Myers. Technical Bulletin, 6 p. Jefferson Institute, Columbia, MO.
- Sesame: A High Value Oilseed. Revised 2003. R. Myers. Technical Bulletin, 4 p. Jefferson Institute, Columbia, MO.
- Canola: An Emerging Oilseed Alternative. Revised 2003. R. Myers. Technical Bulletin, 4 p. Jefferson Institute, Columbia, MO.
- Flax: A Crop From America's Past with Renewed Potential. Revised 2003. R. Myers. Technical Bulletin, 4 p. Jefferson Institute, Columbia, MO.
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Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02
Outputs The fourth year of activity with this project was completed, with remaining activities being finished up during a fifth year through a no-cost extension. Adoption of alternative crops has continued to increase in participating states, with over 100 producers becoming involved for the first time with production of sunflowers, millet, specialty grass seed, Indian grass, and other oilseeds. The project has developed additional production data on each of these crops, as well as meadowfoam. Marketing efforts have helped support opportunities for sunflower, Indian grass, and specialty grass seed crops. Profit analysis has been conducted on several of the crops, showing income potential in Missouri as follows (these figures are net return after deducting machinery and operating costs, but not land charges): sunflowers $106/acre, winter canola $66/acre, pearl millet $78/acre, grain amaranth $224/acre, buckwheat $41/acre, spring flax $31/acre, and black beans $93/acre. Some of
these crops can have enhanced profit by being double croppped, including flax and winter canola as first crops, and buckwheat, sunflowers, and pearl millet as second crops.
Impacts This project is having several types of impacts in the participating states, including development of additional knowledge about agronomic and economic performance of several different alternative crops. A practical impact has also been adoption of alternative crops by over 100 farmers in participating states, with positive economic returns to those farmers. Also, well over 2000 individuals have participated in educational events under this project to learn about crop diversification opportunities, and as a result have developed a greater understanding of the benefits and options available with diversification.
Publications
- Marketing Specialty Crops. 2002. A. Weber. Alternative Crop Marketing Directory, 4 p. Jefferson Institute, Columbia, MO.
- Obtaining Seed for Specialty Crops. 2002. R. Myers. Alternative Crop Seed Source Directory, 4 p. Jefferson Institute, Columbia, MO.
- Pearl Millet: A New Grain Crop Option for Sandy Soils or other Moisture Limited Conditions. Revised 2002. R. Myers. Technical Bulletin, 4 p. Jefferson Institute, Columbia, MO.
- Grain Amaranth: A Lost Crop of the Americas. Revised 2002. R. Myers. Technical Bulletin, 4 p. Jefferson Institute, Columbia, MO.
- Sunflower: A Native Oilseed with Growing Markets. Revised 2002. R. Myers. Technical Bulletin, 6 p. Jefferson Institute, Columbia, MO. Sesame: A High Value Oilseed. Revised 2002. R. Myers. Technical Bulletin, 4 p. Jefferson Institute, Columbia, MO.
- Canola: An Emerging Oilseed Alternative. Revised 2002. R. Myers. Technical Bulletin, 4 p. Jefferson Institute, Columbia, MO. Flax: A Crop From America's Past with Renewed Potential. Revised 2002. R. Myers. Technical Bulletin, 4 p. Jefferson Institute, Columbia, MO. Cowpeas: A Versatile Legume for Hot, Dry Conditions. Revised 2002. J. Quinn and R. Myers. Technical Bulletin, 4 p. Jefferson Institute, Columbia, MO.
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Progress 01/01/01 to 12/31/01
Outputs The third year of this project on crop diversification led to several accomplishments in data collection, education programs delivered, and increased adoption of alternative crops among the target farmer audience. Crops being worked with included: sunflowers, black beans, buckwheat, amaranth, edamame soybeans, and canola in Missouri; flax, canola, and buckwheat in Indiana; canola, safflower, and Indian grass in Montana; grass seed production in Nebraska; and, meadowfoam in Oregon. Most of the work involved on-farm production trials or scale-up of farm production. For example, 25 farmers grew sunflowers in Missouri for the first time, more than doubling the number of growers in the state. Sunflower variety tests were conducted with 10 varieties at 2 locations, with the top varieties averaging 1612 to 2258 lbs. per acre. Edamame soybean yields ranged from 8067 to 11,790 lbs. per acre. Education programs reached a large number of farmers, with over 2000 participants in
meetings and field tours held by project coinvestigators.
Impacts This project is helping identify and develop suitable alternative crops that farmers can grow to diversify their crop rotations. By growing these alternative crops, farmers are increasing their farm profitability, and in some cases reducing environmental impacts of their cropping operation through reduced erosion or less need for applied chemical inputs.
Publications
- Myers, R. 2001. Sunflower: A Native Oilseed with Growing Markets. Technical bulletin. 6 p. (revised) Jefferson Institute, Columbia, MO.
- Brooks, A. M. 2001. Direct Marketing Options for Missouri Farmers: Farmers Markets and Community Supported Agriculture. Technical bulletin. 4 p. Jefferson Institute, Columbia, MO.
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Progress 01/01/00 to 12/31/00
Outputs The second year of this project on crop diversification led to several accomplishments in data collection, education programs delivered, and increased adoption of alternative crops among the target farmer audience. Crops being worked with included: sunflowers, black beans, buckwheat, amaranth, and canola in Missouri; flax, canola, and buckwheat in Indiana; canola, safflower, and edamame beans in Colorado; grass seed production in Nebraska; and, meadowfoam in Oregon. Most of the work involved on-farm production trials or scale-up of farm production. For example, 20 farmers grew buckwheat in Missouri for the first time. Sunflower variety tests were conducted with 23 varieties at 4 locations, with the top five varieties averaging 1904 to 2054 lbs. per acre over the four locations. In Indiana, on-farm trials of canola averaged 2047 lbs/acre, and flax averaged 1221 lbs./acre. Education programs reached a large number of farmers, including over 100 people attending five
field tours held in Indiana and Missouri.
Impacts This project is helping identify and develop suitable alternative crops that farmers can grow to diversify their crop rotations. By growing these alternative crops, farmers are increasing their farm profitability, and in some cases reducing environmental impacts of their cropping operation through reduced erosion or less need for applied chemical inputs.
Publications
- Myers, R. 2000. Buckwheat. Technical bulletin. 4 p. Jefferson Institute, Columbia, MO.
- Myers, R. 2000. Canola: An emerging oilseed. Technical bulletin. 4 p. Jefferson Institute, Columbia, MO.
- Brenner, D., R. Myers, D. Baltensperger, J. Lehman. 2000. Amaranth Breeding and Genetics. Plant Breeding Reviews.
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Progress 01/01/99 to 12/31/99
Outputs This four-year project encompasses farm trials of alternative crops in five states, and is being carried out by six universities and one non-profit organization cooperating with teams of farmers. The 1999 growing season was the first year of field tests, with crops successfully grown to completion in Missouri, Indiana, and Colorado. Crops planted in Oregon and Nebraska were fall planted crops that will have their first harvest next summer. Crops being tested were selected primarily by teams of farmers, with input from researcher participants. Crops being tested in Indiana were pearl millet and cowpea on four farms, with pinto beans and niger each grown on one farm. Cowpea yields from replicated hand harvested samples were 572 to 1167 lbs./acre, with combine yields of 424 to 798 lbs./acre. Pearl millet yields from replicated hand harvested samples were 2140 to 4297 lbs./acre, with equivalent combine yields. Additional experimental pearl millet lines were tested but did
not seem superior to HGM 686. Test plantings of two lines of niger were successfully established and grown to harvest, but seed yield was negligible due to insect and weed pressure. Two varieties of pinto beans were tested. Replicated hand harvested samples were 1121 to 1489 lbs./acre, with combine yields of 303 to 909 lbs./acre. In Missouri, crops tested were amaranth and dry edible beans. For amaranth, replicated hand harvested samples were 984 to 1388 lbs./acre, with combine yields averaging approximately 500 lbs./acre. Methods of improving efficiency of combine harvest were identified for future harvest. Dry edible bean replicated hand harvested samples were 984 to 2367 lbs./acre, with combine yields of half to three-fourths that level. At one farm, severe drought limited yields to under 500 lbs./acre. Significant harvest losses were caused on all farms by lodging of bean varieties. In Colorado, safflower, spring canola, and edamame soybeans were tested in on-farm trials.
Safflower yields, under dryland conditions, averaged about 850 lbs./acre. Canola yields averaged about 1200 lbs./acre in dryland production. Edamame soybean yields were 4000 to 5000 lbs./acre fresh weight for greed seed/pod harvest. Fall planted field tests of meadowfoam in Oregon included variety tests and nitrogen fertilizer and seeding rate management studies. Fall planted farm trials in Nebraska of grass seed crops included perennial ryegrass, Kentucky bluegrass, western wheatgrass, and intermediate wheatgrass. Production of these species as seed crops in the High Plains represents a new enterprise for that region. A number of farm meetings and field tours were held as part of the outreach for this project. Eight publications were generated, with other information distributed in newsletter format. One of the publications, a 12 page color bulletin on crop diversification done jointly with the USDA SARE program, was distributed to 5000+ county extension offices. These publications
and additional text and photographic material were made available on the internet via the New Crop website at Purdue University - www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop.
Impacts Year one project impact has included making it possible for farmers in several states to field test several alternative crops that may add profit to their farms, and lessen the environmental impact of their crop rotations. Expanded acreage of these crops is coming about as a result of these first year activities, and educational programs are disseminating information to a wide audience.
Publications
- Diversify Crops to Boost Profits and Stewardship. 1999. R. Myers and V. Berton. Technical Bulletin, 12 p. USDA-SARE, Washington, DC.
- Pearl Millet: A New Grain Crop Option for Sandy Soils or other Moisture Limited Conditions. 1999. R. Myers. Technical Bulletin, 4 p. Jefferson Institute, Columbia, MO.
- Grain Amaranth: A Lost Crop of the Americas. 1999. R. Myers. Technical Bulletin, 4 p. Jefferson Institute, Columbia, MO.
- Mung Beans: A Food Legume Adapted to Hot, Dry Conditions. 1999. R. Myers. Technical Bulletin, 4 p. Jefferson Institute, Columbia, MO. Sesame: A High Value Oilseed. 1999. R. Myers. Technical Bulletin, 4 p. Jefferson Institute, Columbia, MO. Flax: A Crop From America's Past with Renewed Potential. 1999. R. Myers. Technical Bulletin, 4 p. Jefferson Institute, Columbia, MO. Cowpeas: A Versatile Legume for Hot, Dry Conditions. 1999. J. Quinn and R. Myers. Technical Bulletin, 4 p. Jefferson Institute, Columbia, MO.
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