Richard Taylor

Extension Agronomy Specialist  

• B.S. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University - 1971
• M.S. University of Connecticut - 1974
• Ph.D. University of Connecticut - 1980

Contact Information:

Phone: (302) 831-1383

EMail: rtaylor@udel.edu

Research interest in sustainable agriculture, cover crop management, nutrient management, and profitability in agriculture issues.  Research topics relate to production practices for soybeans, small grains, and grain sorghum.

Extension teaching covers various aspects of crop production for corn, soybeans, small grains, cover crops, organic transitioning, and forage and pasture management.

Currently teaching an undergraduate course on soil fertility and beginning work on a course on conservation and management of meadows and grasslands.

HIGHLIGHTS

Acting as editor and co-author on a series of 32 fact sheets covering all aspects of soybean production technology, author or coauthoring 19 fact sheets on agronomic crops, and acting as editor-in-chief and co-author for SOY NEWS, an informational newsletter from the Delaware Soybean Board to all Delaware soybean growers.  Information and training on agronomic topics is provided to county agents and to farmers through various in-service training meetings, crop conferences, and on-farm meetings.

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

Taylor, R. W. 2000.  Native Warm-Season Perennial Grasses: The Unrealized Potential as a Forage Crop.  In Proceedings of the Second Eastern Native Grass Symposium, Baltimore, MD, Nov. 17-19, 1999. ARS, NRCS, Beltsville, MD.

Pill, W. G., Bing Shi, Hames D. Tilmon, and R. W. Taylor.  1995.  Leaching Losses and Plant Uptake of Nitrogen in Soilless Media Containing Ground Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) Stem Core.  J. Horticultural Science (UK).  70(5):833-840.

Pill, W. G., Bing Shi, Hames D. Tilmon, and R. W. Taylor.  1995.  Tomato Bedding Plant Production in Soilless Media Containing Ground Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) Stem Core.  J. Horticultural Science (UK).  70(5):713-719.

Pill, W. G., Hames D. Tilmon, and R. W. Taylor.  1995.  Nitrogen-enriched Ground Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) Stem Core as a Component of Soilless Growth Media.  J. Horticultural Science (UK).  70(4):673-681. 

L. C. Miller, B. L. Vasilas, R. W. Taylor, T. A. Evans, and C. M. Gempesaw.  1995.  Plant Population and Hybrid Considerations for Dryland Corn Production on Drought-Susceptible Soils.  Canadian J. Plant Sci. 75(1):87-91.

Vasilas, B. L., J. J. Fuhrmann, and R. W. Taylor.  1991.  Response of Three Corn Hybrids to Defoliation of Neighboring Plants.  Can. J. Plant Sci.  71:311-315.

Malone, G. W., H. D. Tilmon, and R. W. Taylor.  1990.  Evaluation of Kenaf Core for Broiler Litter.  Poultry Science.  69:2064-2067.

Brunson, M. W., R. W. Taylor, and B. J. Hoff.  1988.  Characteristics of Rice Cultivars with Implications for Crawfish Double Cropping.  J. of the World Aquaculture Society.  19:8-13.

Taylor, R. W.  1987.  Understanding Corn Growth as Related to Management Decisions.  Chapter Four IN J. T. Sims (ed.) Irrigated Corn Production: A Guide to Profitable High Yields.  University of Delaware Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension, Cooperative Bulletin No. 13. pp. 41-48.

Taylor, R. W.  1987.  Agronomic Management Practices.  Chapter Five IN J. T. Sims (ed.) Irrigated Corn Production: A Guide to Profitable High Yields.  University of Delaware Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension, Cooperative Bulletin No. 13. pp. 48-56.

Brunson, M. W. and R. W. Taylor.  1987.  Evaluation of Three Sorghums as Potential Alternative Forages for Crawfish Culture.  J. of the World Aquaculture Society.  18:247-252.

Griffin, J. L. and R. W. Taylor.  1986.  Alternative Establishment Methods for Wheat Following Soybean.  Agronomy J.  78:487-490.

Griffin, J. L., R. W. Taylor, R. J. Habetz, and R. P. Regan.  1985.  Response of Solid-Seeded Soybeans to Flood Irrigation. I. Applica­tion Timing.  Agronomy J.  77:551-554.

Allinson, D. W., G. S. Speer, R. W. Taylor, and K. Guillard.  1985.  Nutritional Characteristics of Kura Clover (Trifolium ambiguum Bieb.) Compared to Other Forage Legumes.  J. Agric Sci. (Cambridge).  104:227-229.

Griffin, J. L., R. W. Taylor, and R. J. Habetz.  1983.  Conser­vation Tillage for Double-Cropped Soybeans in Southwest Louisiana.  J. Soil and Water Conservation.  39:78-80.

Taylor, R. W. and D. W. Allinson.  1983.  Establishment of Legumes in Grass Sods Using Minimum-Tillage Seeding Techniques Without Herbicide Application:  Forage yield and quality.  Agronomy J.  75:167-172.

Taylor, R. W. and D. W. Allinson.  1982.  Response of Three Warm-Season Grasses to Varying Fertility Levels on Five Soils.  Canadian J. Plant Sci.  62:657-665.

Taylor, R. W. and G. F. Griffin.  1981.  The distribution of Topically Applied Heavy Metals in the Soil.  Plant and Soil.  62:147-152.

Taylor, R. W. and D. W. Allinson.  1981.  Influence of Lead, Cadmium, and Nickel on the Growth of Medicago sativa (L).  Plant and Soil.  60:223-236.

EXTENSION  PUBLICATIONS

Bulletins:  Published approximately 48 bulletins at the University of Delaware, Louisiana State University, and University of Connecticut.

Extension Fact Sheets:

Soybeam Fact Sheet Sheet Series (won national recognition in the ASA Extension Education Award program)--a set of 32 fact sheets on soybean production

Agronomic Fact sheet series  19 fact sheets

Production manuals on grain sorghum, kenaf, and sections in an irrigated corn production manual.

Annually write 30 to 40 articles for the University of Delaware Weekly Crop Update.

COMMITTEE SERVICE

GRADUATE STUDENT COMMITTEES:

Served on graduate student committees at Louisiana State University and University of Delaware

COMMITTEES:

Co-Chair, 1999 Annual Northeasterm Branch ASA meeting at University of Delaware.

Chairman, Mid-Atlantic Crop Management School held Nov. 12-14, 2001, Ocean City Maryland.

Chairman, Continuing Education Committee, Mid-Atlantic Certified Crop Advisors from 1997 to present day.

Graduate Student Paper Presentations--Crop Science Judging Committee, 1994 NEBASA Annual Meeting, July 10-13, Ste-Anne-De-Bellevue, Quebec, Canada.

Member, Northeastern Branch American Society of Agronomy Awards Committee--Agway Award.  1994-1996 (Chairman--1996).

PROFESSIONAL/HONORARY MEMBERSHIP

Certified Crop Advisor, American Society of Agronomy, Northeastern Branch ASA,

Epsilon Sigma Phi (Treasurer 2000 to present), Phi Kappa Phi, Phi Epsilon Phi, Alpha Zeta, Gamma Sigma Delta, Alpha Psi Chapter of Phi Sigma Society

HONORS

National Association of County Agricultural Agents Distinguished Service Award for Excellence in Extension Education Programs, 1997

Extension-Industry Award in Agronomy from the Northeastern Branch American Society of Agronomy, 1994