Farm406

21 farm406 How Is Kernza® Perennial Grain Planted? Kernza can be planted in the fall or spring, but it needs to go through a winter before it sets seed. "I planted the Kernza one inch deep, in 12-inch rows, at ten pounds per acre," said Engellant. In concert with harvesting the Kernza grain, intermediate wheatgrass can also be utilized for animal grazing either in early spring or in late August and September aer harvest. Engellant did find that the plant remains green until aer harvest when it turns a tawny color. He mowed the grass aer harvesting but decided not to bale it because he wasn't certain that animals would eat the hay aer the grass stems had become tough and hollow. What Kernza does for the soil. Food-bearing perennial plants have many benefits over those that are annuals. Perennial plants provide for a reduction in irrigation, fossil fuels, fertilizers, and pesticides. Kernza shows promise for increased carbon and nitrogen storage. With no need to clear the soil year aer year, soil erosion is decreased, water quality is improved, and less carbon is being released into the air. Lee DeHaan, lead scientist for Kernza at e Land Institute said, "While we are taking carbon out of the atmosphere with specific perennial plants to mitigate climate change, we also want to restore soil health and soil quality. at is a benefit of intermediate wheatgrass's really deep extensive root system that will live for many years." Current Problems with Kernza® Perennial Grain Becoming Revenue Producing Because the plant shank containing the seeds is so long, the grain at the top of the stem will shaer before the boom kernels are fully developed. It is difficult to know when to harvest. "I tried to find the median when most of the grain was mature and lile shaering had occurred," said Engellant. Another problem is created in the way it heads out. Oen the head will become heavy and droop over, making it more difficult to cut. Seed selection agronomists have come close to doubling the small seed's size, but another problem was created. It increased the drooping problem and interrupted pollination. In addition to kernel size, researchers are addressing the shaering and rhizome-spreading issues in new varieties. So far one variety has been developed to the extent that it has been named MN—Clearwater. Even with new varieties, yield is still 25 percent of traditional wheat, but the commodity price is higher, and the expense is less. Current markets prefer buying the organic over the conventionally grown Kernza even though no herbicides or pesticides are allowed with conventionally grown Kernza. Marketing Kernza® Perennial Grain Kernza has many beneficial nutrients. It is higher than annual wheat in fiber and protein and has ten times the antioxidants. Plus, it has a sweet, nuy taste. ese positive components will 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, carrying a bucket and probe, climbs to the top of a grain bin containing Kernza®.

• Cover