2009

Wheat Trials

Dr. Heather Darby Erica Cummings, Rosalie Madden, and Amanda Gervais

802-524-6501

2009 VERMONT WHEAT VARIETY PERFORMANCE TRIALS Dr. Heather Darby, University of Vermont Extension

heather.darby@uvm.edu

In 2009, the University of Vermont Extension conducted winter and spring wheat variety trials at the

Borderview Research Farm in Alburgh, Vermont. In addition, an heirloom spring wheat variety trial was

planted in North Troy. This was the third year of the heirloom wheat project; its primary purpose is to

increase the amount of heirloom wheat seed in the region, while at the same time assessing each cultivar’s

growth and quality characteristics. Due to the increasing demand for locally grown cereal grains, many of

the cereal trials focused on grains grown for a foodgrade market.

WINTER & SPRING WHEAT VARIETY TRIALS The experimental plot design at the Alburgh location was a randomized complete block with four

replications. Wheat varieties evaluated are listed in table 1.

Table 1. Spring and winter wheat varieties planted in Alburgh.

Seed Source Species

Type Variety

Winter Wheat Varieties

SemiCan Hard Red Borden

Semences Nicolet Hard Red AC Zorro

Advantage Seeds Hard Red AC Morley

ProGrain Hard Red Maxine

SemiCan Hard Red Warthog

Agriculver/Seedway Hard Red Harvard

Spring Wheat Varieties

Semican Hard Red AC Barrie

JGL Inc. Durum Hallmark

JGL Inc. Hard Red Propel

Albert Lea Seed House Hard Red Glenn

JGL Inc. Hard Red Sable

JGL Inc. Hard Red AC Norwell

Semican Hard Red AC Walton

ProGrain Hard Red AC Brio

JGL Inc. Durum SD7006J

JGL Inc. Hard White HWS9258J

Albert Lea Seed House Hard Red Steele

WEATHER DATA

Seasonal precipitation and temperature recorded at weather stations in close proximity to the 2009 sites

are shown in Table 2. This growing season brought cooler temperatures and higher than normal rainfall

patterns across the region. The cooler temperatures and increased precipitation encouraged fungal

pathogens and increased weed populations.

Table 2. Temperature and precipitation summary, 2009.

Alburgh April May June July August September October

Average

Temperature 44.9 53.9 62.8 65.9 67.7 57.7 44.1

Departure from

Normal +1.4 -2.7 -3.0 -5.2 -1.3 -2.7 -4.7

Precipitation 2.89 6.32 5.19 8.07 3.59 4.01 5.18

Departure from

Normal +0.38 +3.39 +1.98 +4.66 -0.26 +0.55 +0.79

Growing Degree

Days (32˚) 406 680.5 923.5 1052.5 1107 771 395.5

Departure from

Normal +61.0 -82.1 -90.5 -158.1 -40.0 -81.0 -125.3 Based on National Weather Service data from cooperative observer stations in close proximity to field trials. Historical averages are for 30

years of data (1971-2000)

CULTURAL PRACTICES

The seedbed at each location was prepared by conventional tillage methods. All plots were managed with

practices similar to those used by producers in the surrounding areas (Table 3). The plots in Alburgh

were seeded with a John Deere Seed Drill and with a Carter Cone Seeder in North Troy. Grain plots were

harvested with an Almaco SP50 plot combine. Yield, moisture, test weight and/or crude protein were

recorded. All data was analyzed using a mixed model analysis where replicates were considered random

effects. The LSD procedure was used to separate cultivar means when the F-test was significant (P<

0.10).

Table 3. General plot management of the wheat trials.

Trial Information Winter wheat

variety trial

Spring wheat

variety trial

Location Alburgh, VT

Borderview Farm

Alburgh, VT

Borderview Farm

Soil type Silt loam Silt loam

Previous crop Sweet corn Soybeans

Plot size (ft.) 5x20 5x20

Seeding rate 150 lbs/acre 161 lbs/acre

Replicates 3 3

Planting date 9-19-08 4-16-09

Harvest date 7-21-09 8-10-09

Tillage operations Fall Plow Spring Plow

WINTER WHEAT RESULTS

The highest yielding variety was Harvard at 4792 lbs ac-1

, while Maxine had the lowest yield at 3035 lbs

ac-1

(Table 4, Figure 1). The winter wheat plots suffered minimal bird damage. The spring wheat

harvested almost 3 weeks later was severely impacted by the birds. Plant height was significantly

different between varieties; the tallest was Borden at 54.5

inches and the shortest Harvard at 40.5 inches. Lodging

was an issue in the Borden plots. We did not observe

severe weed pressure in the winter wheat trial. Many of

the plots were frost seeded with clover which reduced the

weed populations (Image 2). The crude protein (CP)

levels were significantly different between varieties.

Zorro had the highest CP at 15.2% and Harvard

Image 1. Winter wheat prior to harvest

Image 2. Clover frost seeded into winter wheat

had the lowest 12.7% CP. Harvard was the highest yielding but had the lowest protein level while Zorro

had the highest crude protein level but was one of the lower yielding varieties. A correlation between

grain quantity and quality has been documented throughout the literature.

Table 4. Wheat variety height, yield, and crude protein levels.

Variety Plant Height Yield @ 13.5% Moisture Crude Protein

inches bu/acre lbs/acre %

Borden 54.5* 58.1 3487 14.9*

AC Morley 53.9* 56.4 3387 13.9

Harvard 40.5 79.9 4792 12.7

Maxine 41.4 50.6 3035 13.6

Warthog 42.4 58.1 3487 13.7

AC Zorro 49.3 55.7 3342 15.2*

Trial Means 47.0 59.8 3588 14.0

LSD (0.10) 3.70 NS NS 0.8 * Wheat that did not perform significantly lower than the top performing variety in a particular column are indicated

with an asterisk.

** See text for further explanation.

NS - None of the varieties were significantly different from one another.

Figure 1. Yields of winter wheat varieties

Hybrids with the same letter do not differ significantly in yield.

SPRING WHEAT RESULTS

HWS9258J was the highest yielding spring wheat variety at 4098.7 lbs ac-1

while AC Walton was the

lowest with 1426.1 lbs ac-1

. The yields were significantly different (Table

5and Figure 2). There was a considerable amount of bird damage in the

spring wheat trials. In the taller varieties (AC Brio & Walton) the birds, by

landing on the wheat, would cause them to lodge. Wheat varieties with

awns appeared to have advantage over varieties without awns. The Durum

wheat, which was significantly shorter, suffered less bird damage but had

higher weed pressure. The test weights of varieties were significantly

different; Glenn wheat had the highest at 62.0 bu ac-1

while the lowest was

SD7006J. Both of the Durum wheat varieties, SD 7006J and Hallmark,

had the lowest test weight values. There was no significant difference

among varities in grain protein levels. We observed more plant disease in

the spring wheat this season. Ergot and Fusarium Head Blight, Fusarium

graminearum (sexual stage, Gibberella zeae) were found in all of the

varieties, and Loose Smut, Ustilago tritici, was observed on the

Glenn wheat (Image 3). Image 3. Loose smut infected head

Table 5. Yield, test weight, and protein of spring wheat varieties.

Variety

Yield @ Test Crude

13.5% moisture weight Protein

bu/acre lbs/acre bu/acre %

AC Barrie 27.6 1654 59.7 18.4

AC Brio 26.3 1577 59.9 17.6

Glenn 32.5 1949 62.0* 17.6

HWS9258J 68.3* 4099* 59.2 16.4

Hallmark 52.0 3120 57.6 17.2

Norwell 38.6 2317 60.8* 17.0

Propel 35.8 2148 60.8* 17.8

SD7006J 31.6 1898 55.7 17.8

Sable 62.6* 3754* 60.0 18.8

Steele 51.3 3076 62.0* 17.7

Walton 23.8 1426 58.9 16.9

Trial Mean 40.9 2456 59.7 17.6

LSD (0.10) 12.7 764 1.84 NS * Wheat that did not perform significantly lower than the top performing variety in a particular column are indicated with an asterisk. NS - None of the varieties were significantly different from one another.

Figure 2.Yields of spring wheat varieties.

Hybrids with the same letter do not differ significantly in yield.

Heirloom Wheat Variety Trial

The heirloom wheat project began in 2007; its primary purpose is to evaluated heirloom wheat varieties to

determine if any will thrive in Vermont’s climate. Heirloom wheat can bring a premium because of its

superior taste. Many farmers are interested in determining what heirlooms are viable for Vermont

growing conditions. Through this project three Vermont varieties are being reintroduced into the state;

Defiance, Champlain, and Surprise were developed by Vermont Plant Breeder Cyrus Pringle at the turn of

the twentieth century. In addition to the heirloom varieties, AC Barrie, a modern spring wheat variety

commonly grown in the northeast, was seeded as a comparison.

The experimental design for the heirloom wheat variety trial was a completely randomized design. Each

variety had anywhere between two and thirteen replicates depending on the available quantity of seed.

Wheat varieties trialed are listed in table 6.

Table 6. Varietal information on the heirloom spring wheat.

Developed Pedigree Release

Date

Species

Type Variety

Sask. Canada Neepawa/Columbus//BW90 1996 Hard Red AC Barrie

ND Marquis/Kota 1926 Hard Red Ceres 05

VT Black Sea/Golden Drop 1870 Hard Red Champlain

VT Golden Drop/White Hamburg 1878 Hard Red Defiance

SD Yaroslav emmer / Marquis 1927 Hard Red Hope

ND

Marquis/Kota; Sister selection of

Ceres 1930 Hard Red Komar

Leningrad, Rus. - 1916 Hard Red Ladoga

Ont. Canada Hard Red Calcutta/ Red Fife 1910 Hard Red Marquis

ND Mercury//Ceres/Double Cross 1944 Hard Red Mida 05

ND Mercury//Ceres/Double Cross 1944 Hard Red Mida 06

Sask. Canada Selection from field of Bobs 1926 Hard Red Red Bobs

OR Kanred/Marquis 1926 Hard Red Reliance

WA *Too many to list 1998 Hard Red Scarlet

WA Hard Red Spinkota

Sask. Canada Selection from Red Bobs 1922 Hard Red Supreme

VT Chile Club/Michigan Club 1909 Hard Red Surprise

MN Marquis/Ilumillo//Marquis/Kanred 1934 Hard Red Thatcher

WEATHER DATA

Seasonal precipitation and temperature recorded at weather stations in close proximity to the 2009 sites

are shown in Table 7. This growing season brought cooler temperatures and higher than normal rainfall

patterns across the region. The cooler temperatures and increased precipitation encouraged fungal

pathogens and increased weed populations.

Table 7. Temperature and precipitation summary, 2009.

North Troy April May June July August September October

Average

Temperature 42.8 51.9 60.5 64.9 66.8 56.1 41.8

Departure from

Normal 0 -4.2 -4.1 -4.0 0 -2.1 -5.2

Precipitation 1.63 4.39 5.72 6.12 3.88 2.41 3.19

Departure from

Normal -1.3 +0.72 +1.87 +1.54 -0.3 -1.35 -0.26

Growing Degree

Days (32˚) 374.5 622.5 856.0 1023 1073 724 341

Departure from

Normal +41.5 -124.6 -122.0 -119.4 -5.8 -60.5 -124.0 Based on National Weather Service data from cooperative observer stations in close proximity to field trials. Historical averages are for 30

years of data (1971-2000)

CULTURAL PRACTICES

The seedbed was prepared by conventional tillage methods. All plots were managed with practices similar

to those used by producers in the surrounding areas (Table 8). The plots were seeded with a Carter Cone

Seeder. Grain plots were harvested with an Almaco SP50 plot combine. Plot yield and moisture were

recorded. Yield per acre of the heirloom varieties was determined based on averaging replicate data. A

statistical analysis was not performed on the data.

Table 8. General plot management of the heirloom wheat trials.

Trial Information Heirloom wheat

variety trial

Location North Troy, VT

Butterworks Farm

Soil type Sandy loam

Previous crop Soybeans

Plot size (ft.) 5x20

Seeding rate 100 lbs/acre

Replicates variable

Planting date 4-15-09

Harvest date 8-18-09

Tillage operations Spring Plow

The highest average yield was Surprise with 1611.8 lbs ac-1

while AC Norwell was the lowest yielding at

680.6 lbs ac-1

(Table 7). Weeds, especially Wild Mustard, severely impacted plots at this site. The weeds

were so prolific that it was necessary to hand weed

the trial area three times throughout the season. The

most prevalent plant disease found at the North Troy

site was Fusarium Head Blight (Image 5).

Bird damage was not an issue at this location.

Image 4. Heirloom plots differing in height and awns.

Table 7. Yield of heirloom wheat

Image 5. Wheat with Fusarium Head Blight

The UVM Extension Crops and Soils Team would like to thank the Rainville family and Butterworks

farm for their generous help with the trials.

The information is presented with the understanding that no product discrimination is intended and no

endorsement of any product mentioned, or criticism of unnamed products, is implied.

University of Vermont Extension and U.S. Department of Agriculture, cooperating, offer education and

employment to everyone without regard to race, color, national origin, gender,

religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or familial

status.

Variety Moisture Yield @

13% Moisture

% lbs/ace bu/ac

AC Barrie 13.9 1332 22.2

Ceres 05 13.4 1265 21.1

Champlain 14.6 1261 21.0

Defiance 13.6 1000 16.7

Emmer 14.7 823 13.7

Hope 14.1 819 13.6

Komar 15.0 961 16.0

Ladoga 15.1 1331 22.2

Marquis 14.5 927 15.5

Mida 05 14.6 1186 19.8

Mida 06 10.4 923 15.4

Red Bob 15.3 1257 21.0

Reliance 11.9 1154 19.2

Scarlet 14.8 1165 19.4

Spinkota 12.2 834 13.9

Supreme 14.2 1557 25.9

Surprise 15.1 1612 26.9

Thatcher 15.2 1306 21.8

Walton 15.3 1177 19.6

2009

Barley and Oat Trials

Dr. Heather Darby Erica Cummings, Rosalie Madden, and Amanda Gervais

802-524-6501

2009 VERMONT BARLEY AND OAT VARIETY PERFORMANCE TRIALS

Dr. Heather Darby, University of Vermont Extension

heather.darby@uvm.edu

In 2009, the University of Vermont Extension established malting barley and oat variety trials at the

Borderview Research Farm in Alburgh. Several local breweries and distilleries approached us about

growing malting barley in the region. One of the interested distillers is located in Hardwick; therefore a

second trial site for malting barley was established at High Mowing Seeds in Hardwick

TESTING PROCEDURE

The experimental design at the Alburgh and the Hardwick locations were randomized complete block

with either three or four replications depending on the experiment. Barley and oat varieties evaluated are

listed in table 1. The seedbed at each location was prepared by conventional tillage methods. All plots

were managed with practices similar to those used by producers in the surrounding areas (Table 2). The

plots in Alburgh were seeded with a John Deere Seed Drill and a Carter Cone Seeder at the Hardwick site.

Grain plots were harvested with an Almaco SP50 plot combine. Yield, moisture, test weight and/or crude

protein were recorded. The data collected was analyzed using a mixed model analysis where replicates

were considered random effects. The LSD procedure was used to separate treatment means when the F-

test was significant (P< 0.10).

Table 1. Cereal Grain Varieties used for trials.

Seed Source Species Locations

Type Variety Alburgh Hardwick

Malting Barley Variety

Albert Lea Seed House 6 row malting Robust X X

Semican 2 row malting AC Newport X

Albert Lea Seed House 6 row malting Rasmussen X X

Albert Lea Seed House 6 row malting Lacy X X

JGL Inc. 6 row malting SB9259J X

Oat Variety

Albert Lea Seed House Ivory white seed Spur X

Albert Lea Seed House Ivory seed Morton X

Albert Lea Seed House Yellow seed Esker X

Albert Lea Seed House White seed Excel X

Table 2. General plot management of the grain trials in Alburgh and Hardwick, VT.

Trial Information Malting barley

variety trial

Malting barley

Variety trial

Oat variety

trial

Location

Alburgh

Borderview Farm

Hardwick

High Mowing Seeds

Alburgh

Borderview Farm

Soil type Silt loam Sandy loam Silt loam

Previous crop Soybeans Cover crop Soybeans

Plot size (ft.) 5x20 5x25 5x20

Seeding rate 140 lbs/acre 125 lbs/acre 130 lbs/acre

Replicates 3 4 3

Planting date 4-16-09 4-27-09 4-16-09

Harvest date 7-21-09 8-14-09 8-10-09

Tillage operations Spring plow Spring plow Spring plow

WEATHER DATA

Seasonal precipitation and temperature recorded at a weather station in close proximity to the 2009 site is

shown in Table 3. This growing season brought cooler temperatures and higher than normal rainfall

patterns across the region. The cooler temperatures and increased precipitation encouraged fungal

pathogens and increased weed populations.

Table 3. Temperature and precipitation summary, 2009.

Alburgh April May June July August September October

Average

Temperature 44.9 53.9 62.8 65.9 67.7 57.7 44.1

Departure from

Normal +1.4 -2.7 -3.0 -5.2 -1.3 -2.7 -4.7

Precipitation 2.89 6.32 5.19 8.07 3.59 4.01 5.18

Departure from

Normal +0.38 +3.39 +1.98 +4.66 -0.26 +0.55 +0.79

Growing Degree

Days (32˚) 406 680.5 923.5 1052.5 1107 771 395.5

Departure from

Normal +61.0 -82.1 -90.5 -158.1 -40.0 -81.0 -125.3

Hardwick April May June July August September October

Average

Temperature 42.3 50.3 58.6 62.1 62.9 52.6 39.3

Departure from

Normal +4.1 0.9 -1.8 -2.8 +0.1 -1.2 -2.8

Precipitation 2.16 5.74 4.69 5.82 4.66 2.62 4.17

Departure from

Normal -0.7 +1.97 +0.38 +1.39 -0.13 -1.35 +0.57

Growing Degree

Days (32˚) 366 572.5 796.5 936 964.5 632 296

Departure from

Normal +84.0 -24.3 -55.5 -83.9 +15.6 -23.5 -45.0 Based on National Weather Service data from cooperative observer stations in close proximity to field trials. Historical averages are for 30 years

of data (1971-2000)

MALTING BARLEY RESULTS

The highest yielding malting barley variety at the Alburgh site was Lacey yielding 5542 lbs ac-1

. Robust

had the lowest yield at 4687 lbs ac-1

(Table 4 and Figure 1). Loose Smut, Ustilago nuda, was observed in

all barley variety plots. Contaminated heads were removed by hand in hopes of reducing the observed

spread of fungus. There was minimal bird damage but it appeared as though the long awns of the barley

provided protection against the birds.

Table 4. Harvest moisture, yield, and test weight of malting varieties.

Location Variety Harvest moisture Yield @

13.5% moisture Test weight

% bu/acre lbs/acre bu/acre

Alburgh

Lacey 18.0 115* 5542* 48.0

Rasmussen 17.7 112* 5360* 47.8

Robust 18.1 97.7 4687 48.0

Trial mean 17.9 108 5196 47.9

LSD (0.10) NS 12.6 603 NS

Harwick

Lacey 14.4 32.1 1539 45.1

Newport 13.2 39.0 1871 46.1

Rasmussen 14.9 32.6 1566 45.2

Robust 14.1 39.6 1902 44.3

SB 9259j 9.10* 40.5 1945 44.3

Trial mean 13.1 36.8 1764 45.0

LSD (0.10) 1.40 NS NS NS * Barley that did not perform significantly lower than the top performing variety in a particular column are indicated

with an asterisk. NS - None of the varieties were significantly different from one another.

Figure 1. Yields of barley varieties- Alburgh

Hybrids with the same letter do not differ significantly in yield.

At the Hardwick site barley varieties were not significantly

different in yield (Table 4). Loose Smut, Ustilago nuda, was found

in all of the barley plots at this location. We manually removed all

the visibly contaminated heads. Bird damage was not an issue at the

Hardwick site.

From the trials we determined several malting barley varieties that

could be adequate for Vermont conditions. However, before

optimal varieties are recommended to growers we must characterize

their potential malting quality. Currently, our group is learning

about malting quality and hopes to begin screening varieties next

season.

Image 1. Barley Harvest at High Mowing Seeds

OAT RESULTS

While not significantly different, the oat variety Eskers was the highest yielding 3546.9 lbs ac-1

and

Morton was the lowest yielding 2704.0 lbs ac-1

. The test weights however were significantly different.

Spur had the highest test weight at 36 bu ac-1

and Morton had the lowest test weight at 32.8 bu ac-1

(Table

5). Weeds in the oat trial did not appear to significantly impact plant growth. Out of all the small grains

trialed at the Alburgh site, the oats were the least affected by the birds and no plant pathogens were

observed. Oats are exceptionally well suited for Vermont growing conditions. The most significant

challenge and often expense in producing oats is the equipment used to de-hull them.

Table 5. Yield analysis of oats

Variety Yield @

12% Moisture

Test

Weight

bu/acre lbs/acre bu/acre

Esker 111 3547 34.2

Excel 94.5 3024 34.1

Morton 84.5 2704 32.8

Spur 103 3283 36.0*

Trial Mean 98.1 3140 34.3

LSD (0.10) NS NS 1.56 * Oat that did not perform significantly lower than the top performing variety in a particular column are indicated with an asterisk.

NS - None of the varieties were significantly different from one another.

UVM Extension would like to thank the Rainville family and High Mowing Seeds for their generous help

with the trials.

The information is presented with the understanding that no product discrimination is intended and no

endorsement of any product mentioned, or criticism of unnamed products, is implied.

University of Vermont Extension and U.S. Department of Agriculture, cooperating, offer education and

employment to everyone without regard to race, color, national origin, gender,

religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or familial

status.

.