We have all seen the effects that weathering causes when hay is stored outside. Most of the deterioration is on the outer layer of the bale and particularly where it rests on the soil
Summer and winter alfalfa are different in structure. The change occurs during the process of hardening in the fall to allow the alfalfa plant to survive colder temperatures
As alfalfa producers look to new varieties with the promise of improved fiber digestibility, don’t forget about some of the basics that will allow for full economic returns.That’s the advice
Many years ago, during my extension agent days, I got a phone call from a large dairy producer. The conversation went something like this:DP: “Mike, these seed salesmen are beating me up and I don�
Grass — any grass — is somewhat peculiar in that a specific species or variety likely will perform differently depending on what region or state it is grown in. That was just one of the take-home
Alfalfa has not been a “go to” forage in the South for a long time, but for many forage producers that line of thinking is starting to change. A combination of recent research and extension
As the autumn days grind by, most of the alfalfa decision making is in the rear-view mirror. However, there are two considerations that might still be on the proverbial table for some fields.One of th
Even if you’re just a casual reader of forage-related information, hopefully you’ve been able to grasp the concept that forage fiber digestibility is now a big deal. To be sure, the total
With the impending Labor Day weekend nearly upon us, it’s a sure sign that alfalfa’s physiological game plan is about to change in central portions of the United States and points north
Without question, one of the most agriculturally intensive regions in the United States is that of the Central Valley in California. What sets it apart from other such areas is its sheer vastness, about
There is growing interest in alfalfa-grass mixtures across the northern United States. Grass tends to be considerably higher in neutral detergent fiber digestibility (NDFD) than alfalfa
Aside from alfalfa, perhaps no forage species is more widely utilized across the U.S. than ryegrass. It’s grazed extensively from north to south and also is harvested as hay, baleage, and silage
The end of July always marks a crucial time for forage producers, especially those with livestock mouths to feed and less than desirable forage inventories. But then again, even if forage inventories
One of the many things that David Letterman gets remembered for is his Top 10 lists. These lists included such things as the Top 10 Signs Your Kid Had a Bad First Day at School, the Top 10
Every farmer has done “it.” That “it” is to walk a new forage seeding field that just never developed. There is nothing more disheartening than a newly seeded hayfield or pasture
Consumer sales and profits generally spike dramatically during the last two months of the year as the Christmas season is accompanied by a flurry of gift buying and giving — for better or worse.
