Tuesday, November 6, 2007
142-1
Organic Corn Production Practices across the Corn Belt.
Peter Thomison1, Roger Elmore2, Joseph G. Lauer3, Deborah Stinner4, Kathleen Delate2, Stephanie Newman5, and Allen Geyer1. (1) Horticulture and Crop Science, Ohio State University - Columbus, Columbus, OH 43210-4068, (2) Iowa State University, Iowa State University, 2104 Agronomy Hall, Ames, IA 50011, (3) University of Wisconsin, Agronomy, 1575 Linden Drive, Madison, WI 53706, (4) Ohio State University - OARDC, The Ohio State Univeristy OARDC, 1680 Madison Ave., Wooster, OH 44691, (5) Organic Crop Improvement Association, Lincoln, NE 68507-3160
In 2006, the Organic Crop Improvement Association, Research and Education (OCIA-R&E), conducted a survey of organic farmer corn production practices in Ohio , Iowa and Wisconsin . Corn and organic crop production extension specialists at The Ohio State University, Iowa State University, and the University of Wisconsin , helped formulate and implement the survey. The questionnaire used to survey farmers focused on organic hybrid and variety selection and management. Results of the survey served as the basis of a multi-state organic corn variety testing project initiated in 2007.Questionnaires were mailed to 260 OCIA-R&E farmer members in Ohio, Iowa, and Wisconsin; 67 completed questionnaires were returned. 153 hybrids were planted by respondents. Of these, 114 were organically produced, 37 were untreated conventionally produced. Of the 153 hybrids, 30 had an organic fungicide seed treatment (Natural II) applied. The average hybrid maturity was 102 days, with a range of 75-114 days. The average planting date was 5/9/06 with a planting date range of 4/24/06-6/31/06. The surveys represented 4198 acres of organic corn in the three states. The average farm size was 65 acres, with a range of 3 to 392 acres. The average seeding rate was 28,218 with a range of 18,000-36,000 seeds per acre. Organic farmer respondents indicated that effective weed control was their major concern in organic corn production (cited by 36 respondents). Weed control was accomplished with the use of tillage and multiple cultivations, with 4 respondents using flame weeding as part of their weed control strategy and 10 respondents utilizing some form of hand weeding. Manure was used by 47 respondents for soil fertility. Several forms of manure were applied – straight manure, composted manure – from poultry, hogs, cattle. With regard to harvest dates, 45% plan to harvest during October, 30% plan to harvest during November, and 3% plan to harvest during December.