by: Molly Hamilton and Dr. Chris Reberg-Horton

We often hear from organic grain farmers who are interested in a new crop that could expand their rotation, making it more sustainable and profitable. That crop needs to be able to yield well, be easy to manage, and have a market. Recently, there has been interest in two winter annual crops that may fit these criteria. Spelt (Triticum spelta) is a species of wheat. It is an ancient grain that has not been grown extensively since the early 1900s, when it was grown mainly for animal feed. Its growth and management are very similar to wheat, but it retains its hull when threshed. It has been a popular food grain in Europe, and more recently in the United States. Purity Foods, Inc (in Michigan) would like to contract with farmers in NC to grow organic spelt for their mill. They will buy the grain at harvest (eliminating the need for storage) and with the hull and pay prices similar to organic wheat. Organic Valley Coop may also be interested in feed-grade spelt because the hulled grain can contribute to a healthy dairy ration for cows. The biggest challenge to organic spelt production is reduced yield due to diseases and variety selection. There are relatively few varieties of spelt available, and in general, spelt has reduced resistance to many small grain diseases that occur in NC. This year, the NC Organic Grain Program, with funding from the Tobacco Trust Fund, has planted a variety trial that will give a better idea of how certain spelt varieties perform in NC.

Canola also has potential to do well in NC. In the past, Canada has been the largest producer of organic canola, but recently acreage has been drastically reduced due to concerns of GMO canola contamination (pollen travels long distances). Organic canola meal may be able to be used in NC layer ration and in organic dairy rations. Processing is a challenge, but a canola crusher in northern Georgia has plans to convert his plant to be able to crush organic canola, opening the market in the southeast. The NC Organic Grain Program has planted two canola trials this fall. The first tests seeding rate on canola yields and weed control. We planted canola at the rate of 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 pounds per acre. Generally, canola is planted at 3 to 5 pounds per acre, but recent trials in NC indicated that the rate could be bumped up and result in better winter annual weed control (excluding ryegrass) and higher yields. The other trial focuses on the biggest challenge to organic canola production in NC which is harvesting efficiency. There is a small window of time to harvest canola between when the plant is still quite green and when it starts to shatter—maybe 5 days. Canola is often burned down with an herbicide and direct combined before pods shatter, but that option is not available in organic. One possibility is to swath the canola, cutting the stalk when still green and lay in swaths on the ground. The canola dries down over 3 to 7 days and is then combined. We will be doing demonstration trials of swathing and direct combining in the spring.

We plan to have two field workshops in the spring to show off the trials and discuss the challenges and potential of organic canola and spelt production in NC. Workshop information will go out in the new year.