Articles
Maximizing forage in winter injured and killed stands
When significant winter alfalfa stand damage occurs consider the following. The situations vary from low spots only in fields to significant portions of the fields.
Effect of drought on alfalfa and managing for the next growing season
Drought can significantly reduce alfalfa yield. Timing of drought can be critical. First cutting may be reduced in the case of a dry March. Alfalfa root systems die back to some extent over winter. The root system requires good soil moisture in the early spring to regrow. I
Seven unique factors of first-cut alfalfa
The uniqueness of alfalfa spring growth has been a core factor for many discussions, research trials, media articles, debates, and flat-out arguments among forage brethren. Generally, the conversation centers around when to cut and the best method to determine forage quality of the maturing alfalfa plant. Spring 2013 may offer additional unique aspects of making […]
Effects of Rain Damage on Wilting Forages
One of the most common problems faced by hay or silage producers is how to manage production schedules around unfavorable weather. Inevitably, some wilting forage crops are damaged by rainfall each year, and producers often inquire about the effects of rain damage, and what impact this may have on forage quality, silage fermentation, and animal […]
Is sulfur needed for alfalfa in Wisconsin?
Research studies in recent years have shown that sulfur (S) may be deficient in some parts of Wisconsin. Sulfur deficiencies are most likely to occur when high S-demanding crops such as alfalfa, canola, or forage brassicas are grown on sandy soils or on other soils that are low in organic matter, far from urbanized areas, or have not received manure within the last 2 years.
Alfalfa yield and stand
The single factor most affecting profitability of alfalfa is yield. This can be seen in the graph at the right which depicts economic data from the Green-Gold program (a third party verified measured yield and quality program) the Wisconsin Forage council used to run.
Field Drying Forage for Hay and Haylage
If we understand and use the biology and physics of forage drying properly, not only does the hay dry faster and have less chance of being rained on, but the total digestible nutrients (TDN) of the harvested forage are higher
Pricing corn silage
Pricing corn silage is a difficult decision because it often comes at a time when emotions between sellers and buyers are high. The seller has the opportunity to sell a corn field for either silage or grain and incorporate the fertilizer value of the stover back into the field. The buyer has the opportunity to buy a corn field for silage or buy grain from the market and purchase low quality straw (wheat or corn stover aftermath) to formulate rations.
Nitrate poisoning in cattle, sheep, and goats
Nitrate poisoning is a condition that may affect ruminants consuming certain forages or water that contains an excessive amount of nitrate. Horses are much less sensitive to nitrate toxicity since they are hindgut ferments and do not have a rumen.
Estimating the weight of forage in a forage wagon
Most dairy farmers do not have a drive-over scale available on their farms. Frequently it would be useful to know the weight of forage harvested from a field. Measuring alfalfa or corn silage yield is necessary to adjust management practices, to maintain crop inventories, and for crop reporting purposes.
