Agricultural Environmental Management
Projects
BMR Sorghum Sudangrass
Corn
Nitrogen Management
Phosphorus
Soil Health
BMR Sorghum Sudangrass as Economic and Environmentally-Sound
Alternative to Corn in NNY
Brown Mid-Rib Sorghum Sudangrass (BMR S/S) has been evaluated for the
areas of NNY where field, soil and climatic conditions do not allow for
a good economic return from planting corn. Past research has provided
information on fertilizing, seeding rates and cutting heights. In 2004,
researchers compared planting corn after June 1 with planting BMR S/S
to determine what date is more economically favorable to plant BMR S/S
rather than corn. BMR S/S shows tremendous advantages…
Project Contacts: Cornell Crop and Soil Science: Quirine Ketterings,
607-255-3061, and Jerome Cherney, 607-255-0945; Jefferson County CCE:
Mike Hunter, 315-788-8450; St. Lawrence County CCE: Peter Barney, 315-379-9192;
Willsboro Research Farm: Mike Davis, 518-963-7492
Economic/Environmental Impacts on Corn Silage Maturity at Harvest
Farmers often chop corn for silage before the proper stage of maturity,
resulting in reduced yields and increased effluent production, with a
resulting potential for water source pollution. Large livestock operations
(CAFOs) have recently been required to collect and treat silage effluent.
This research looks at evaluating corn silage yield and forage quality
at three stages of maturity and how maturity affects silage effluent production.
Project Contacts: Wm. H. Miner Institute: Everett Thomas, Catherine Ballard, Rick Grant, 518-846-7121
Quick Soil Nitrogen Test for Economic and Environmental Benefits
This project conducted field and lab tests to assess the effect of time
and depth of sampling on nitrate and aminosugar level and the effectiveness
of the aminosugar test in identifying responsive sites. The use of this
simple lab test has the potential to reduce the use of “insurance
N fertilizer.”
Project Contacts: Cornell Crop and Soil Science: Quirine Ketterings, 607-255-3061; Jefferson County CCE: Mike Hunter, 315-788-8450; St. Lawrence County CCE: Peter Barney, 315-379-9192; Wm. H. Miner Institute: Everett Thomas, 518-846-7121; Willsboro Research Farm: Michael Davis, 518-963-7492; Cornell Student: Jonathan Klapwijk
Calibration of the Phosphorus Index for NNY Soils
In spring 2001, a revised national nutrient management conservation practices
standard mandated field-specific assessment of the potential for the transport
of phosphorus (P) must be completed prior to manure and fertilizer application
for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) and other farms that
receive state or federal cost share assistance. This project develops
a P Index that farmers can use to assess a farm's risk vulnerability for
phosphorus runoff and to assist nutrient management planning. Research
is being conducted in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence Counties.
Project Contacts: Cornell Crop and Soil Science: Quirine Ketterings, 607-255-3061; Pro-Dairy: Karl Czymmek, 607-255-4890; Cornell BEE: Larry Goehring; Jefferson County CCE: Mike Hunter, 315-788-8450; St. Lawrence County CCE: Peter Barney, 315-379-9192
Why is Phosphorus an Issue for New York Farms?
Phosphorus Fact Sheet 1 (PDF)
Trends in Soil P Status
Phosphorus Fact Sheet 2 (PDF)
Developing a P Index for NNY Soils
Phosphorus Fact Sheet 3 (PDF)
Limiting Phosphorus Use for Corn Growing in NNY
Phosphorus Fact Sheet 4 (PDF)
The Impact of Starter P on Corn Silage Quality
Phosphorus Fact Sheet 5 (PDF)
Phosphorus Runoff: Calibrating the P Index for NNY
Phosphorus Fact Sheet 6 (PDF)
Soil Health and Conservation Agriculture
Soil health is an assessment of a soil’s ability to grow plants,
recycle nutrients and organic wastes, filter and buffer water sources,
and provide habitat. Soil health is receiving increased attention from
Northern New York farmers because of a growing awareness that crop productivity
losses are associated with the gradual
degradation of a soil. Researchers are developing indicators to help farmers
determine the health of their soils and to interpret soil health in relation
to economic and environmental impacts.
Project Contacts: Cornell Crop and Soil Science: Harold van Es, 607-255-5629; Agricultural Experiment Station: George Abawi; Cornell Horticultural Science: David Wolfe and Anu Rangarajan, 607-255-1780; Clinton County CCE: Amy Ivy, 518-561-7450; Essex County CCE: Anita Deming, 518-962-4810; Franklin County CCE: Carl Tillinghast, 518-483-7403; Jefferson County CCE: Mike Hunter, 315-788-8450; Lewis County CCE: Jen Beckman, 315-376-5270; St. Lawrence County CCE: Peter Barney, 315-379-9192; Wm. H. Miner Agricultural Institute: Everett Thomas, 518-846-7121; Willsboro Research Farm: Michael Davis, 518-963-7492; Project Coordinator: John Idowu, 607-255-1706
Soil
Health Assessment and Management: The Concepts (PDF)
