A Place For Peas In Northern Beef Steer Diets
Northern beef producers should grow and make field-pea forages a part of their weaned steers’ diets, says Vern Anderson, North Dakota State University animal scientist. Peas are higher in energy and protein than grass hay and can provide faster gains, his recent research shows.
Low-Starch Alternatives Stretch Dairy-Forage Supplies
Dairy producers can feed low-starch, high-byproduct diets to late-lactation cows with little loss in milk production, according to a recent collaborative study reported in Cornell and University of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension publications.
When In Doubt, Prepare For Drought
Growers in areas particularly hit by drought have a few chores to conduct as they prepare for the 2013 growing season and possibly more dry weather, suggests Dan Undersander, University of Wisconsin Extension forage specialist.
Forage Seminars: Feb. 12 At World Ag Expo
Western hay prices, innovative forage equipment, forage-testing suggestions, spider mites and what it takes to produce quality forage. All those subjects will be discussed in a few short hours on Feb. 12 during Forage Seminars hosted by Mycogen Seeds and Hay & Forage Grower at World Ag Expo, Tulare, CA.
Cutting Beef-Cow Hay Use By A Quarter
North Dakota State University research indicates producers can save up to 25% of their forage inventories by following a dried distillers grains plus solubles (DDGS) feeding strategy.
Dairies Stay Resilient In Turbulent Times
The drought felt by so many this past year – and tentatively predicted for 2013 – is forcing producers to take a new look at how and what forages are grown and what’s being fed. Here’s how three dairymen, one from Indiana and two from California, are dealing with the challenges handed them.
2013: Another Year Of Strong Western Alfalfa Hay Exports
Hay growers and dealers will have fewer Western dairy clients in 2013. But hay export demand will be strong – especially alfalfa hay to China. That’s according to Seth Hoyt, market analyst and author of The Hoyt Report newsletter.
Exploring The California Delta Region
The day-long tour before the California Alfalfa and Grains Symposium, Dec. 11-12, investigated four enterprises in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta area. Nearly 130 forage and wheat industry folks learned of the water-use and unique soil challenges delta farmers deal with.
Mystery Diseases Emerge In Alfalfa
Two mysterious alfalfa diseases have cropped up in fields in recent years. Deborah Samac, a research plant pathologist with USDA’s Agricultural Research Service, says both attack crown buds and roots, producing thin stands.
Alfalfa Seed Supply Adequate For 2013
The supply of proprietary dormant alfalfa seed – conventional and Roundup Ready – looks to be adequate for 2013 spring plantings while non-dormant supplies are already tight, say representatives of major alfalfa-seed companies.
Watch For Aflatoxin In Corn Rations
Aflatoxin, a cancer-causing agent that develops from fungi on corn, is a risk for farmers who feed corn-based rations this fall, said Mike Hutjens, University of Illinois Extension emeritus dairy nutritionist.
