Opportunity for Silage Corn Growers: On-Farm Biodiversity Experiment
Overview
Cornell graduate student researcher is seeking New York partner farms to test how planting native flowers near silage corn fields affects biodiversity on the farm. We are also interested in how flower planting date affects biodiversity. This single-year experiment will run from May to September 2023. Participating farms will each receive $500 and if desired, publicity.
Eligibility
Silage corn fields may be managed using either organic or non-organic methods. However, no synthetic insecticides may be sprayed within 660 ft of the experimental plots.
Experiment
The experiment will require four small plots of land (16 by 32 ft), which may be arranged around one or more corn fields. The plots may be located along field edges, as shown below, or field corners may be used for this purpose rather than corn production. The grower and researcher (Sophie Westbrook, Cornell graduate student) will choose plot locations together. The grower will plow two of the plots as soon as field access is possible in the spring, and the other two plots four weeks later. After this initial plowing, no further management is needed. The researcher will hand-seed flowers in two plots and collect data over the summer.
![Experiment plot layout](https://blogs.cornell.edu/ccefieldcropnews/files/2023/02/on-farm-research-for-corn-growers-experiment-design.jpg)
Contact
For more information or to enroll, contact Sophie Westbrook, (716) 597-7344; asw265@cornell.edu.
Upcoming Events
2024 Aurora Farm Field Day
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August 1, 2024
Aurora, NY
The annual Cornell Field Crop Research Field Day will be Thursday, August 1 at the Musgrave Research Farm, Aurora, N.Y. The program features walking and hay wagon tours in the morning and afternoon.
2024 Broiler Field Day at Laughing Earth Farm
August 19, 2024 : 2024 Broiler Field Day at Laughing Earth Farm
Cropseyville, NY
Join us for a free field day to explore broiler production, processing, and finances. Zack and Annie Metzger will be our hosts. They have run this 200 year-old small diversified farm for 8 years. They process their poultry in a 20C kitchen, where they produce value-added products like sausage and dehydrated chicken feet.
2024 Broiler Field Day at Majestic Farm
August 20, 2024 : 2024 Broiler Field Day at Majestic Farm
Mountaindale, NY
Join us for a free field day to explore broiler production, processing, and finances. Brett and Sara Budde will be our hosts. They raise slow-growth organic broilers on their diversified farm in large flocks on woodland pasture. Their birds are processed into whole birds, parts, and chicken sausage.
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