Northern Piedmont Research Station

10/30/2024

Corn production in Virginia is now expected to be down 38% from last year, primarily due to drought conditions in early summer plus low corn prices. The average yield is estimated to be only 103 bushels per acre statewide. This is down 54 bushels from the 2023 level.

Soybean production for Virginia is forecast to increase 22% from 2023. Yield was estimated at 44 bushels per acre, up 6 bushels from a year ago.

Source: USDA NASS
Image credit: Mark Stebnicki

10/30/2024

Now that it’s turned cooler in many areas, leaves have started to fall off the trees. You may be tempted to rake those leaves and put them in trash bags. Please DON’T!

Do fewer chores and leave essential habitat for many overwintering pollinators! If you want to neaten up the yard, rake the leaves to garden beds, around the base of trees, or in sections. When the leaves break down (helped along by caterpillars and other insects), they can boost nutrition in the soil. That’s why we would love for you to

📸 Xerces Society, 2024.

07/22/2024

Here are the 2024 State wheat results. The wheat grown here at NPRS starts on page 25

2024 Virginia State Wheat Preliminary Results are now available. Click below to view: 👇
https://bit.ly/24StateTest

07/11/2024

🐔🦃🦆 Poultry Nutrition Session Tomorrow! 🌱

Are you considering raising chickens, turkeys, or ducks? Curious about their nutritional needs? Join us for an informative session!

📅 Date: Tomorrow, Tuesday, July 9th ⏰ Time: 6:00 PM 🎙️ Speaker: Dr. Mike Perisa, Virginia Tech Professor and Poultry Management Specialist 🔍 Topic: Poultry Nutrition

To attend, please contact Kayleigh Mize: 📧 Email: [email protected] 📞 Phone: 540-507-7571

See you there! 🌟

07/11/2024

We had a great turnout for the local woolpool today. We gathered 3200lbs of wool from local producers to be sold

07/08/2024

Has anybody driven past the station and wondered why some of our plots of corn have paper bags on them?
We currently are in the middle of hand pollinating some heritage varieties of corn. We cover the tassels with bags to collect the pollen and then dump the pollen on the silk. We then cover the silk with plastic to protect it from cross pollination. It is a slow process taking about 4 hours a day to complete.

07/08/2024

This just in . . .

Virginia corn, pastures, and hay ground are not looking too good.

Data and image from USDA NASS.

05/08/2024

04/12/2024

Attention everyone, The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration wants to know if there was any damage from last night's storm in Orange County. If you know of any damage or have pictures, please share them so I can pass them on.
Thanks,
Greg Lillard

03/28/2024

Our first canola entries are starting to flower.

03/18/2024

Don't forget to apply!