Farm406

farm406 24 As he looked over the field that discouraging April day, he thought that the experiment with Kernza had failed—all of that work, trouble, and cost for nothing. He considered readying the field for another crop, but as an optimist, he decided to wait a lile longer. Early in June he stopped to inspect the field once again. Dark green leaves had sprouted everywhere. Relieved, he thought about the trials in planting a new crop. It is difficult being first. Being second—or even third—provides experience from those who came before. Being first in the region, he knew he would be alone on the side of "inexperience" in raising Kernza for at least the coming year. What Is Kernza®? Kernza is a grain that comes from Intermediate wheatgrass, and its technical name is inopyrum intermedium. Trademarked by e Land Institute in Salina, Kansas, Kernza comes from a perennial forage grass that is native to Europe and Western Asia. It was brought to the United States in 1907 for grazing purposes and can be found growing wild in Central and Western United States. e goal today for domesticating and raising Kernza grain is to develop a perennial grass for grazing and browsing animals along with grain production. Kernza also builds organic maer in the soil, unlike some annuals—such as corn, that deplete the soil organic maer and require inputs. Kernza holds the distinction of being the first perennial grain to be domesticated by humans. In 2018, 1200 acres were cultivated across the United States, and in the summer of 2019, Engellant had the distinction of raising the largest contiguous acreage of Kernza. What Does Kernza Look Like? is sod-forming perennial grass grows as much as seven feet high. "It's amazing to see across a field of it," said Engellant. Its kernel is one-eighth to one-quarter the size of spring wheat. Since the plant has a long growing season, it has an extensive root system, twice the size of annual wheat. e roots are dense and can grow to be as much as ten-feet deep which means that the plant can draw on moisture found deeper in the ground. Usually intermediate wheatgrass is not an invasive crop and co-exists with other native plants. It can grow with other crops, such as alfalfa, which surprisingly increases its productivity, longevity, and forage quality. "I interseeded with red clover," said Engellant. Aer harvesting with existing farm implements, it will regrow. Where does Kernza® Perennial Grain thrive? Kernza yields best in climates found on the prairie lands in northern United States. It does well in drier regions where the annual rainfall is between 12 and 30 inches. It likes full sun and is happy in a wide range of soils. Since it is a perennial, it is important to note that Kernza thrives where the minimum temperature is no lower than a -38°F. is sounds like Montana, doesn't it? If managed well by keeping the rhizomes in check through strip tillage, this plant can grow up to fiy years. However, research plots reveal that grain production is the best in its first three years. Erik Engellant, on the right, and employee, Chuck Protsman, check list of different grains stored in bins at the farm. Erik Engellant, carrying a bucket and probe, climbs to the top of a grain bin containing Kernza®.

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