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Trends In Alfalfa Production And The Beef And Dairy Industries In Kentucky During 1989-98, Dennis Hancock, Michael Collins

Agronomy Notes

On suitable soils, alfalfa produces the highest yield of nutrients possible from a perennial forage crop. However, high production costs and restrictive soil requirements have limited the production of alfalfa in Kentucky. High producing dairy cows respond well to premium quality forage, so alfalfa is a preferred forage crop in dairy production. Thus, alfalfa production is primarily contingent on the producer’s method of marketing the crop.

Aphanomyces-Resistant Alfalfa: A Solution To A Common Problem In Spring Seedings, Paul C. Vincelli, Jimmy C. Henning, Tim Hendrick, Gerald D. Brown, L. J. Osborne, Beth Prewitt, Val Shields, Don Sorrell, Kim Strohmeier, Ray Tackett, Joe Wyles

Agronomy Notes

For several decades, farmers have experienced a common stand-establishment disease syndrome when spring-seeded alfalfa was followed by extended periods of wet weather. Seedlings affected by this syndrome exhibit severe stunting as well as yellowing and reddening of seed leaves (cotyledons), but they do not wilt or collapse, as they might from a damping-off disease. Commonly, the problem affects most or all of the field.

Based on research that began in the 1980's, we suspected that a fungus called Aphanomyces euteiches (hereafter simply called Aphanomyces) was responsible. This root-rot fungus can be found in the majority of alfalfa fields we …

Effect Of Boron Fertilization On Alfalfa, Monroe Rasnake, Garry D. Lacefield

Agronomy Notes

The need for boron (B) fertilization of alfalfa has been known for many years. An annual application of 1.5 to 2.0 ·pounds of elemental B per acre on alfalfa has been the general recommendation of the University of Kentucky's, Department of Agronomy for at least 20 years. Most states surrounding Kentucky have similar recommendations; however, some indicate that B needs to be applied only once every two years. There has been very little recent research to verify the need for B on alfalfa.

Summary Of Alfalfa Variety Trials In Kentucky (1971-1983), Roy E. Sigafus

Agronomy Notes

This note shows comparable yields for 22 out of 100 alfalfa varieties which have been tested in at least three trials at Lexington or Princeton since 1971. Varieties not listed include many taken off the market, varieties known to be unsuited to Kentucky, or those which need further testing.

Yield results from seven separate trials are given in Table 1 as average annual dry matter yields (T/A) and as % relative yield (RY) as compared to Vernal. Vernal was used in each trial as a standard check and on the soils of limestone origin at Lexington and Princeton averaged over …

Alfalfa, White Clover, And Red Clover Variety Trials, Roy E. Sigafus, Norman L. Taylor, Garry D. Lacefield, J. Kenneth Evans

Agronomy Notes

This note is a brief summary of results obtained in 1981 from one white clover, five alfalfa, and three red clover trials. Yields in the seeding year, and from the first full year of production thereafter, are not the best estimate of the full potential of most forage legumes. The third season stand and yield are a good measure of persistency with red clover and white clover. At times it may be the fourth or fifth season with alfalfa before stands begin to thin.

To supply information on the best varieties available there is a continuous monitoring of new varieties …

Alfalfa Response To Varying Rates Of Phosphorus And Potassium Fertilization On Deep, Red, Limestone - Derived Soils Of The Pennyroyal Area In Kentucky, H. C. Vaught, Kenneth L. Wells, K. L. Driskill

Agronomy Notes

The Western Pennyroyal area of Kentucky consists largely of deep, well-drained limestone-derived soils occurring on an undulating to rolling landscape. A thin loess mantle overlies the limestone residuum in many areas. Soils on these landscapes are capable of good crop production, providing the basis of the rather intensive grain-hay- tobacco-livestock farming systems common to the Pennyroyal area. Because of the well-suited physical characteristics of these soils, alfalfa is a very important hay crop to this area.

Molybdenum Recommendation For Legumes, J. L. Sims, Warren C. Thompson, S. H. Phillips

Agronomy Notes

Molybdenum is recommended in Kentucky for legumes (soybeans, alfalfa, clovers and other forage legumes) beginning in 1969. The application should be made as a seed treatment and at the rate of 0.4 to 0.8 (4/10 to 8/10) ounces of molybdenum per acre. Molybdenum is recommended only on soils testing less than pH 6.2.

Make Good Hay From Perennial Grasses, George D. Corder

Agronomy Notes

Good quality hay can be made from the perennial grasses if they are fertilized properly and mowed while in the boat stage.

The alfalfa weevil has reduced yields of alfalfa in Kentucky to the point where some farmers will be short of hay , Many of these fields have a good stand of grass . Some of the hay shortage can be eased by applying nitrogen fertilizers on these fields.

Stamp Out Chickweed And Henbit From Alfalfa, J. W. Herron, Warren C. Thompson

Agronomy Notes

What are chickweed and henbit?

Chickweed and henbit are winter annual weeds that grow during cool weather. The seeds germinate primarily in the fall, and the plants continue to grow and live through the winter. They develop new seeds from April until early summer. Then they die.

Controlling Chickweed And Henbit In Alfalfa, J. F. Freeman

Agronomy Notes

Chickweed and henbit weeds are bad in alfalfa this fall. DNBP (premerge or Sinox PE) sprayed on infested fields at rate of 1 to 3 qt in 20 to 40 gallons of water per acre may destroy the weeds without harm to the dormant alfalfa. Use the higher rate if chickweed is matted on the ground or if henbit is heavy in the stand. Spray only when the temperature is 55 to 60 degrees or warmer and fair weather is predicted for 12 hours after treatment. The 1-qt rate applied in early fall when chickweed is very small (not until …

Controlling Annual Grasses In Spring Seeded Alfalfa With Eptc, J. F. Freeman

Agronomy Notes

Many Kentucky farmers plan to sow alfalfa in early spring on a prepared seed bed. A main objective is to avoid or reduce most of the damage of alfalfa weevil on the first-year crops . Eptam 6 E sprayed on the prepared seed bed at rate of 2 quarts in 10 to 20 gallons of water per acre and disked in 3-4 inches deep right behind the sprayer usually gives good control of annual grass weeds and some control of broadleaf weeds as well. A second disking, crosswise to the first, is needed for thorough mixing of the herbicide with …

Topdress Alfalfa This Fall, George D. Corder

Agronomy Notes

Good stands of alfalfa should be fertilized even though the alfalfa weevil is causing some concern. This fall, say after the last harvest, is a good time to topdress with phosphate, potash and boron fertilizers.