$2M USDA grant funds value-added grains project
With new barley variety, Cornell leads way for brewers
Christian Malsatzki monitors the Cornell trial grain fields at the Hudson Valley Farm Hub
Field Crop Production
Field crops play a smaller role in Ulster County’s agricultural economy, but hay crops still cover the majority of Ulster County’s total farmland acreage. Ulster County’s field crops also play an important role in supporting area livestock operations. There is also growing interest in local specialty small grains production in the Hudson Valley for supplying local bakers, brewers /distillers and livestock operations.
Multiple markets are emerging in the Hudson Valley region and greater northeast for locally sourced small grains. Primary higher-value emerging markets include artisan baking, specialty culinary applications, brewing, and distilling. Hudson Valley small grains production is particularly challenged by 1) an immature local small grains economy and profitability unknowns, 2) a lack of regional knowledge, equipment, and infrastructure for grains production, and 3) the humid climate of the northeastern US, which poses difficulties for producing grains that meet modern human consumption quality standards.
CCE Ulster has participated in a number of research projects. Check out the resources and articles below, then click on any of our projects highlighted at the bottom.
Resources
Cover Crops, Biofumigation, Reduced Tillage, & Soil Health:
- Cornell Cover Crops for Vegetable Systems
- Penn State Cover Crops
- NRCS Northeastern Cover Crops, Comprehensive Review
- Managing Cover Crops Profitably (PDF book download)
- Biofumigation for soil borne disease control in northeastern potato production
- Cornell reduced tillage webinars
- Cornell cover crops for vegetable systems
- Cornell Soil Health
Small Grains:
- Cornell Small Grains
- Resources for growing grains in the Northeast
- Article: Catching the Amber Wave: Considerations for getting into small grains production
- Growing Malting Barley in NYS
- Grain Storage Safety websites
- Seed Suppliers Heritage & Ancient Grains
- Stored Grain Insecticides 2021
- Open-Pollinated Corn Catalog
- If You Sell or Share Seed, follow good management
Hops:
- Northeast Hops Alliance (has Cornell resources)
- Cornell Hops Program
- University of Vermont Hops (has organic focus)
- Michigan State University Hops
Malting Barley:
- Resources for producing malt barley in NYS
- Nutrient management for malt barley presentation
- Agronomy fact sheet: Harvest and Storage of Malting Barley
Phytophthora Blight:
Phytophthora blight is a disease caused by the water mold Phytophthora capsici that afflicts many vegetable crops and is becoming increasingly common in New York State. To deal with phytophthora blight on your farm and to prevent its arrival, refer to the links below:
- Cornell Phytophthora Blight- Smart Lab
- Phytophthora blight printable fact sheet
- Keeping Phytophthora off the farm- printable quick reference
- Managing Phytophthora on the farm- printable quick reference
- Phytophthora-resistant pepper varieties- printable quick reference
- Phytophthora blight of pepper and other vegetables - Cornell Veg MD
- Phytophthora blight of cucurbits - Cornell Veg MD
Articles
Cover Crops & Soil Health:
Small Grains:
- Catching the Amber Wave, 1: Considerations for growers interested in small grains production
- On timing malting barley harves
Contact
Christian Malsatzki
Agriculture Program Leader
cpm78@cornell.edu
845-340-3990 ext. 316
Last updated March 17, 2021
Cornell Resources
Cornell Field Crops - Your source for the latest in New York Field Crops research, news, and information!
Hudson Valley Value-Added Grain School 2021 Presentations Now on YouTube!
African rice farmers test traditions against NY climate
Few farmers attempt to grow a warmth-loving crop like rice in the Northeast’s short growing season, but Badjie and Hoyte are experimenting with rice-growing methods to suit New York’s climate on their Ever-Growing Family Farm in Ulster County. It’s the only commercial rice farm in New York state, and one of a handful of small rice farms in the entire Northeast.
Growing with the Grain
Is it possible to renew the local grains economy in the Hudson Valley?
This short film tells the story of the last five years of small grains research at the Hudson Valley Farm Hub and the eleven partners that have collaborated to make the project a reality.
"With new barley variety, Cornell leads way for brewers." Cornell researchers have just released a new variety of New York-adapted spring barley, to meet needs created by a 2012 Farm Brewery Bill that expects New York’s craft brewers to steadily increase the amount of state-sourced ingredients used in their beer.
Read the full article by the Cornell Chronicle.
"A Cornell scientist is leading a multi-institution team that’s helping turn diverse and ancient grains into staple foods throughout the Northeast and Midwest, thanks to a three-year, $2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Cornell Helps Bring Malting Barley Back to N.Y. Farms and Beer
Working alongside researchers in Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell Cooperative Extension agriculture specialists are helping farmers bring malting barley – an essential ingredient for making beer – back to New York fields and the pints poured by the state’s craft breweries.
Mini Combine Sampling Malting Barley
Gathering harvest moisture test samples with Minibatt handheld combine.