Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) is a valuable forage crop in Wisconsin, that supports dairy and livestock production. However, alfalfa production can be threatened by the alfalfa weevil (Hypera postica), a beetle pest that can significantly damage alfalfa foliage if left unmanaged.
Pricing standing alfalfa requires an open conversation between buyer and seller, with both parties understanding the inherent value of the forage as well as the cost and risks of harvesting.
The April 24 Badger Crop Connect session features Scott Newell, Extension’s Alfalfa Outreach Specialist.
As we move into alfalfa planting season in Wisconsin, it is important to double-check herbicide records for the field you will be planting into. Many common herbicides used for commercial crop production contain restrictions on the label when rotating to alfalfa. A rotation restriction is the interval between herbicide application and when alfalfa planting can […]
A grower’s perspective. This is one of a nine-part video series on the basics of planting corn and soybean into a green living cover crop. Rodney Webb, director of the Pierce County Land Conservation Department, and Tom, a Pepin County farmer, discuss establishing cover crops. They talk about the techniques and management strategies needed to […]
A grower’s perspective. This is one of a nine-part video series on the basics of planting corn and soybean into a green living cover crop. Rodney Webb, director of the Pierce County Land Conservation Department, and Tom, a Pepin County farmer, discuss fall seeding rye in northern Wisconsin. They talk about the benefits of planting […]
The fourth Focus on Forage webinar in the 2024 series, Focus on Pastures, features research-based pasture establishment and management recommendations and resources to keep pastures productive throughout the 2024 growing season.
The third Focus on Forage webinar in the 2024 series, Focus on Annual Forages, features discussions around annual forage crops for Wisconsin farms, the nutritive value of and strategies around feeding annual forages on dairy farms, the nitrogen demand of cereal forages, and nitrogen carryover and rate planning considerations for 2024.
The recordings from the second Focus on Forage webinar in the 2024 series, Focus on Alfalfa, feature Scott Newell, Dr. Kim Cassida, Dr. Mark Renz, and Dr. Emily Bick.
The recordings of the first Focus on Forage webinar in the 2024 series, Focus on Forage Insurance, featuring Pamela Stahlke and Dr. Paul Mitchell.
Alfalfa has an establishment-year yield issue. Corn has a runoff and soil erosion issue. But planting the two together could be a unique solution to mitigate both problems.
Managing forage inventory is a pivotal task on any grazing operation. A forage inventory involves monitoring how much forage is available at various points of the season, as well as projecting forage availability throughout the season to ensure the farm is on track to meet its production goals.
