Abstract

Producing high quality forage crops is exceedingly challenging in Vermont as climate change progresses with more precipitation, faster rates of precipitation, and higher annual temperatures (Faulkner, 2014). Knowing which cropping systems, annual or perennial, and which forage species will grow best in this challenging environment is crucial to the success of our forage-based farm operations. Increased species and variety diversity has been shown to increase resiliency or tolerance to pests and environmental stress, however it can also make it more difficult to harvest at peak quality and yield. This project evaluates the productivity of both perennial and annual forage systems with varying levels of species complexity. The 2017 data presented in this report is from the first year of four.

Keywords

Vermont, University of Vermont Extension

Publication Date

2017

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