California alfalfa growers have a new weapon against meadow voles and are rediscovering an old one against pocket gophers. Zinc phosphide was recently...More
When corn silage or haylage doesn't ferment properly, your nose may help you identify the problem, says Limin Kung, a University of Delaware dairy scientist....More
If you worry about alfalfa winterkill, Dan Undersander says to choose varieties with university-generated winterhardiness scores. I feel very strongly...More
2004 Buy Pure Alfalfa If you want the Real Thing, you probably have to pay for it, whether it's a Coke or a pure alfalfa variety. But alfalfa marketers,...More
There's a new to keep alfalfas free from a fungal disease that has been called one of the U.S.'s major limiting alfalfa diseases on poorly drained soil....More
A little bit of nitrogen fertilizer on the right alfalfa fields is well worth the cost, say Steve and Randy Senn, Ephrata, WA. The brothers have been...More
Mike Lauwers still bales some dry hay, but hopes to eventually sell all his alfalfa as bale silage. This is far better feed than we ever before put up,...More
As little as 25 lbs per acre of sulfur can increase first- and second-cutting alfalfa yields by as much as 20%, according to University of Wisconsin studies....More
America’s Alfalfa has filed for a patent for the first manure-tolerant alfalfa genetics. In two years of testing at Waseca, MN, the company’s Ameristand...More
A January cold spell in the snowless Upper Midwest has forage agronomists fearing the worst for alfalfa fields in much of that region. I suspect that...More
If you know rain is coming and your hay sits in the field at 30-40% moisture, what are your options? Kevin Shinners suggests baling and wrapping it. In...More
The presence or absence of western flower thrips should be considered when growers make spider mite control decisions, say California researchers. They...More
Don’t scrimp on plastic when wrapping midsize square bales, say University of Wisconsin researchers. That’s one of their recommendations following a series of bale wrapping studies....More
A close relative of alfalfa may help scientists improve the crop's forage quality, disease resistance and nitrogen-fixing ability. Researchers at the...More
As with fine wines, time has done great things for leafhopper-resistant alfalfa varieties. The industry has come a long way increasing the level of resistance,...More
The alfalfa variety tables in your November issue (Grade A Alfalfas, page 11) included helpful information for growers. But some of the winterhardiness...More
Growers give alfalfa varieties top marks if they're high-yielding, persistent and provide good feed value. To get the information needed to make wise...More
This fall is a good time to give forage fields and pastures some tender loving care following a difficult growing sea-son."This was one of the more stressful...More
A concerted effort to improve forage quality paid off in higher milk production, better herd health and lower feed costs for Tom Swyers, Perry, NY. Swyers...More
I think their yields are going to be up there in the top category for sure, especially for growers who often have problems with the alfalfa laying down....More
It was a long, hot summer in rural Greenville, OH. But first-cut alfalfa haylage at Todd Schmitmeyer's 90-cow dairy farm has kept its cool this year....More
Staying one step ahead of the pests in your alfalfa can save you big, in terms of yield and quality. And the best way to do that is knowing where to look...More
The bright yellow in your alfalfa fields might be an eyesore, but probably isn't a threat to your profits unless you try to get rid of it. For four consecutive...More
Kansas alfalfa growers are worried about weevil damage to the crop’s second cutting. That’s because unusually high numbers of weevil moths emerged near...More
In parts of the Midwest, wet weather has delayed planting so much that alfalfa may be ready to cut before row-crop planting is finished. But farmers should...More