The National Alfalfa & Forage Alliance (NAFA) announced seed brand marketers that have agreed to participate in the new alfalfa checkoff program beginning later this summer. The checko
Strong foreign demand coupled with weaker domestic demand has put hay export totals in a good place during the first two months of 2016. This occurred in spite of a strong U.S. dollar
It hasn’t happened for a while, but the month-to-month U.S. average hay price actually went up in March, albeit a modest $2 per ton. Last week’s USDA Agricultural Prices report pegge
“Grazing management during the spring-summer transition period is key to persistence of warm-season perennials such as bermudagrass and bahiagrass,” says Jose Dubeux, forage specialist at
“If seeding depth isn’t correct, then you might as well not bother to plant,” says Marvin Hall, professor of forage management at Penn State University. “More seeding failur
For those of Southern ilk, the pasture gate has likely already been opened to grass of 2016 vintage. For others, it may still be too early. Either way, spring pasture management has a big impact
A small, but effective alfalfa killer Stunted alfalfa plants with shortened internodes and white plant tissue are telltale signs that alfalfa stem nematode may be a problem
Placing emphasis on harvesting forage that is high quality has long been a rally cry for just about everybody in the industry — farmer to researcher. As we head into April and th
Below are examples of alfalfa and grass prices being paid FOB barn/stack (except for those noted as delivered, which is indicated by a "d" in the table below) for selected states
It’s a basic axiom of forage production: Fertilize grass with nitrogen. Another more widespread axiom: There are exceptions to every rule. “If a livestock producer calls me in the spring
Planting corn for silage is somewhat unique compared to planting corn for grain. Hybrid selection, planting rates, and even row spacing offer different responses for silage than for grain
Heavy rains last summer, a dry fall and the usual harsh winter conditions are all reasons why there may be more than the usual number of pastures in need of a reboot for 2016. “A lot of
At last week’s two-day Southeast Hay Convention in Moultrie, Ga., there was a lot of alfalfa-growing discussion. “We’ll either talk you into it or out of it,” said Dennis Hancock,
The recent run of warm temperatures may have some people in the mood to grease up the drill and get an early start on seeding alfalfa. “For most situations, the risks of planting early
photo by Dennis HancockBermudagrass, a staple forage in Southern forage programs, comes in a couple of primary flavors: common and hybrid. From a productivity standpoint, hybrids are the preferred option
Though hay stocks were whittled down from a winter of feeding and export shipments, it apparently wasn’t enough to prompt an upward January price trend. Just the opposite occurred. The recent USDA
Anyone who has grown and harvested alfalfa has seen the effects harvest machinery wheel traffic can have on a stand. Visually, it’s most noticeable a week to 10 days after harvest in the form
Using livestock manure at appropriate rates on crop fields offers many advantages to the user, the soil and society. It makes all the sense in the world. Abusive overapplication of manure
