Early Alfalfa Hay Won’t Sell High In West
Prices for first-cutting, supreme-quality alfalfa hay should range about $200-220/ton (f.o.b. stack) in many areas of the West, $220-230/ton in California’s Imperial Valley and $240-250/ton in central California, estimated Seth Hoyt.
Interseeding Alfalfa Into Bermudagrass
Afalfa is literally gaining ground in the South. Traditionally bermudagrass and tall-fescue territory, the region recently is sporting fields of the perennial legume – interseeded into bermudagrass.
Shredlage Excels As Dairy Feed
More milk and no dry hay fed. Those are the advantages Steve Ziegler is seeing after switching his herd from standard corn silage to Shredlage.
Expect Softer Western Alfalfa-Hay Prices, Analyst Says
Until dairies show some profit, most of the West’s hay prices aren’t likely to get above $200-220/ton for early spring, dairy-quality hay. But California’s top-quality first-cutting hay could sell for $220-$230/ton (f.o.b. stack) in the Imperial Valley and $240-250/ton in central California.
Maximizing Alfalfa Yield With Fungicide
Jake Ulrich’s yield increased by 20% on 90 acres of first-cutting alfalfa this past summer. He attributes that gain to a 6-oz/acre application of Headline foliar fungicide at about $14/acre, not including spraying costs.
Simulator Makes Dew Daily
A machine that adds moisture to hay at baling “truly changed the whole game in our hay operation,” says Ryan Schwebach, a McIntosh, NM, alfalfa grower who used the DewPoint 6110 this past growing season.
Experts Sound Forage-Funding Alarm
A cohesive industry effort is needed to increase forages’ visibility to legislators and help secure sorely needed forage funding and staffing, according to speakers at the American Forage & Grassland Council Annual Conference, Jan. 7-8.
Homemade Tire Drag Helps Establish Broadcast-Seeded Forages
Scarifying sod with a harrow or field drag can give the seed-to-soil contact needed to successfully broadcast-seed forages. But many drags are difficult to transport or too heavy or aggressive to be used with small-seeded forages, say two University of Arkansas Extension specialists.
Beef Steers Gain Fast On Pea Forages
Northern beef producers should feed weaned steers field-pea forages, according to Vern Anderson, a North Dakota State University animal scientist who has been studying the crop. Peas are higher in energy and protein than grass hay and can provide faster gains, his recent research shows.
