Hay & Forage Grower

Wisconsin Growers Can Seed On Erodible Land

Wed, 22 May 2013 01:15:00 +0000

State's NRCS gives green light because of winterkill

NRCS is allowing Wisconsin producers to plant crops on their highly erodible land after contending with last year’s drought and this spring's winterkill.

Blue Alfalfa Aphid Outbreak Baffles Scientists

Tue, 21 May 2013 22:39:00 +0000

They've surveyed growers for answers

California entomologists wonder whether growers are using alfalfa varieties bred for resistance to blue alfalfa aphid as the pest’s populations grow, stunt alfalfa growth and reduce yields in that state and in Arizona.

They also want to know whether broad-spectrum insecticides used to control other alfalfa pests hurt blue alfalfa aphid management, as they can adversely affect natural enemy populations that manage pests

Do Foliar Fungicides Keep Alfalfa Healthy?

Tue, 21 May 2013 22:32:00 +0000

Study shows they do, but yield and quality are inconsistent

Foliar fungicides such as Headline reduce levels of foliar disease in alfalfa, but that doesn’t consistently translate to higher yields or quality.

Land Rental Rates, Alfalfa Don’t Jive, Says Grower

Tue, 21 May 2013 22:24:00 +0000

He’ll cut hay acres; landowners won’t lease long term

Landlords aren't looking for long-term leases, making it tough to grow alfalfa economically.

Colorado Hay Heads To Winterkilled Midwest

Tue, 21 May 2013 22:20:00 +0000

Four to five loads per week have been shipped

Midwestern growers began calling in March looking for quality alfalfa hay.

Prices Sluggish For Western New-Crop Alfalfa

Tue, 21 May 2013 22:06:00 +0000

Despite that, sales are still in $200/ton range or higher

Hay growers in the West and Southwest have started selling, with prices falling short of last year.

Grower Deals With Winter-Injured Alfalfa And Orchardgrass

Tue, 21 May 2013 17:19:00 +0000

The alfalfa-orchardgrass hay that John Strohfus grows for Strohfus Stock Farm, a horse-boarding facility he owns near Hastings, MN, showed enough winter injury he had to reseed.

Pennsylvania Forage Legend John Baylor Passes Away

Tue, 21 May 2013 15:46:00 +0000

He served 65 years with distinction

An old friend to the forage industry, John Baylor, 90, passed away May 5. He was active in forages to the end.>

Extension Offers Winterkill Resources

Fri, 17 May 2013 00:01:00 +0000

State experts give advice on reseeding to alfalfa removal to N credits

As Upper Midwestern forage growers realize the extent of winterkill damage in their fields, Extension service specialists have put together resources offering advice.

The University of Minnesota devoted a Web page to winter injury damage, called “Alfalfa weather damage and emergency forages – 2013.” The page has advice on stand assessment, replanting forages and small grains, and it answers questions on autotoxicity in alfalfa.

Can You Recognize Winterkilled Alfalfa?

Wed, 15 May 2013 04:26:00 +0000

Upper Midwestern growers are contending not only with a late, cool spring, but also with having to reseed or plow up alfalfa stands shows moderate to severe winterkill damage. Those who want tonnage fast can seed a mixture of 2 lbs/acre oats with 20 lbs/acre peas.

Minnesota, Wisconsin Growers: Take Winterkill Survey

Tue, 14 May 2013 21:45:00 +0000

University forage teams ask questions, seek answers

The University of Minnesota and University of Wisconsin ask alfalfa and other forage producers in the two states to complete a brief, 12-question survey.

Late Spring Brings On Alfalfa Fungal Diseases

Tue, 14 May 2013 20:29:00 +0000

Scout now, says plant pathologist

Growers should watch for fungal diseases after the wet spring.

Time To Scout For Alfalfa Weevil?

Tue, 14 May 2013 20:16:00 +0000

It wouldn’t hurt, say most Midwestern experts

Reports of alfalfa weevil are filtering in from multiple states around the Midwest.

How To Remove Winterkilled Alfalfa Stands

Tue, 14 May 2013 20:03:00 +0000

Tillage-herbicide combo is effective, weed scientists says

The best way to clear fields with winterkilled alfalfa: use a herbicide containing glyphosate, 2,4-D or dicamba and tillage.

Montana Hay Supplies ‘Critically’ Low

Tue, 14 May 2013 19:55:00 +0000

Canadian crop keeps livestock producers going

Hay supplies in Montana are critically short; Canadian imports are keeping producers afloat.

Alabama Hay Grower May Get Fewer Cuttings

Tue, 14 May 2013 19:47:00 +0000

Cold, wet spring puts bermudagrass growth behind schedule

Bill Collier may only get two cuttings from his bermudagrass fields this year because of a late start due to poor weather.

U.S. Hay Stocks Nosedive To Record Low

Tue, 14 May 2013 18:28:00 +0000

All hay stored on farms is down by 34%

Hay stocks in the U.S. were at a record low as of May 1.

Bale Or Chop Freeze-Damaged Wheat As Forage

Sun, 12 May 2013 19:38:00 +0000

But pencil the costs, first, Texas specialists suggest

Wheat fields significantly damaged by freezing could be baled for hay or chopped for silage for the stocker-cattle and beef-cow markets.

Sulfate Sulfur Perks Up Alfalfa Fast

Sun, 12 May 2013 15:21:00 +0000

If fields show yellow patches, consider it over elemental form

Applying sulfur to alfalfa in a sulfate form can give fields an immediate boost.

Bagged Hay Storage System Utilizes Air

Sun, 12 May 2013 15:19:00 +0000

Invention subs for higher-cost buildings

The Air-Barn blows air over and around bales to remove heat and moisture from the hay.

A Sneak Peak At Hay Expo 2013

Sat, 11 May 2013 01:59:00 +0000

Get an early look at the equipment that will be on display at the Farm Progress Hay Expo, which will be held June 19-20 in Waukon, IA.

Hay-Sampling Study Shows Quality Variations

Fri, 10 May 2013 20:21:00 +0000

RFV, CP differ between and within bales

Forage quality can vary between hay bales or even within one bale, so be sure to test multiple times.

Hay Expo Set For June 19-20 In Waukon, IA

Fri, 10 May 2013 20:01:00 +0000

Hay & Forage Grower is co-sponsor

The newest forage equipment will be put through its paces at the 2013 Farm Progress Hay Expo.

Boost Alfalfa Yields By Adding Sulfur

Fri, 10 May 2013 19:53:00 +0000

Fertilizer can make up for natural nutrient loss

Alfalfa fields may need more sulfur as the natural occurrence of the nutrient continues to decline.

Get Your Hay Deals In Writing

Fri, 10 May 2013 18:47:00 +0000

Simple paper contracts are a must, says commercial grower

Using written contracts is a good, easy way to protect both parties when buying or selling hay.

Our Readers Will Grow A Bit More Hay

Fri, 10 May 2013 18:25:00 +0000

Magazine survey shows a 2.2% acre increase over the 2012 total

About 28% of surveyed Hay & Forage Grower readers will harvest more hay or haylage acres this year than in 2012. But they'll increase their number of hay acres planted to about 2.2%.

Gather And Load 1,000 Hay Bales/Day – By Yourself

Fri, 10 May 2013 16:37:00 +0000

Grower designs an accumulator with a grapple

The Accumagrapple allows one person to gather and load 10 or 15 square bales at a time.

He’s Getting Back Into Hay

Fri, 10 May 2013 15:12:00 +0000

Few others are adding acres, USDA reports

High hay prices convinced one farmer to get back into hay. But a USDA survey shows not many other farmers are thinking the same way.

Editorial: The Weather, Change And Adapting To Both

Fri, 10 May 2013 14:54:00 +0000

What our ancestors can teach us

Despite drought, snowstorms or whatever else is in the offing, farmers, like their ancestors, know how to handle adversity.

Hay Market Update: Late Spring Underpins Hay Prices

Fri, 10 May 2013 13:52:00 +0000

Late snowstorms kept prices from softening

Hay sales activity remains slow due to low supplies and weakening demand, but recent snowstorms kept prices from softening.