Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Evaluating Hay Quality, William C. Templeton Jr.

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

One of the frustrations to nutritionists interested in the feeding value of roughage has been that with all their book knowledge and technical aids no dependable scheme they could devise would consistently rank forages in feeding value, while the dumb ruminant animal could unerringly detect differences in their nutritive values.
-E. W. Crampton, 1965

Alfalfa Yield, Quality And Persistence, Michael Collins

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Alfalfa management in complex because it requires the simultaneous consideration of factors that affect the yield of the crop, forage quality for ruminants and the persistence of the stand. Considerable research has demonstrated the importance of agronomic factors such as soil pH, drainage and soil fertility in successful alfalfa production. Beyond soil factors and cultivar selection, selection of harvest date is one the most important management factors that influence yield, quality and stand persistence.

The Alfalfa Plant's Reaction To Grazing, Paul Deaton

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Will the alfalfa plan survive grazing intensively by cattle? This question is asked most frequently these days.

Let's review the parts of an alfalfa plant to begin this discussion. Those parts are: Roots, crown and top growth. Alfalfa has a tap root which is used to store nutrient reserves for survival. It's ability to store these reserves and pull from them during times of stress (drought, cutting, etc.) makes it a very hardy plant.

Grazing Alfalfa — A Reality, John H. Wilson

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Alfalfa offers an excellent opportunity to beef producers for receiving excellent performance. Exciting results have been seen for the past two years on the Thomas Farm (Registered Polled Hereford). A total of 1063 pounds of beef per acre produced this year, with similar results seen in 1986 - a total of 874 pounds of beef produced in 1986.

Weed Control In Alfalfa, Jonathan D. Green

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Since weeds which infest forages are harvested along with the alfalfa crop, total dry matter production does not necessarily increase with good weed control. However, controlling weeds which invade alfalfa improve the forage quality. In addition, maintaining good weed control may also prolong the productive life of the alfalfa stand.

If managed properly, established alfalfa stands can effectively prevent many annual and perennial weeds from becoming a major problem. Maintaining proper soil fertility, soil pH, and good soil drainage are some practices which help keep the alfalfa competitive against invading weeds. Other factors which put alfalfa under stress, such as …

Blister Beetles In Alfalfa, C. M. Christensen, Lee H. Townsend

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Blister beetles are Iong cylindrical beetles that may be black, gray, yellow and brown striped, black with gray margins on the wing covers or black with a red head. These insects are usually found feeding in clusters on alfalfa. They can cause severe sickness and sometimes death when livestock especially horses eat the live or dead beetles. They are usually not found in alfalfa in mid-July and early August which translates to the third or fourth cutting. Blister beetles (black ones, gray margined ones, and yellow striped ones) were collected in very noticeable numbers in several central Kentucky alfalfa fields …

Alfalfa Establishment, Garry D. Lacefield

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Alfalfa "Queen of the Forage Crops" is the most important forage legume grown in the United States. It is grown over a wide range of soil and climatic conditions. Alfalfa has the highest yield potential and the highest feeding value of all adapted perennial forage legumes. It is a versatile crop which can be used for pasture, hay, silage, green-chop, soil improvements and soil conservation. As a result. of this crops many merits; especially yield, quality and versatile use, it can be used successfully in many animal feeding programs.

Soil And Fertility Considerations For Growing Alfalfa, Monroe Rasnake

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Alfalfa is a widely adapted crop which is grown across the United states and in many other counties. However, it is very sensitive to many soil and fertility factors which can limit its productivity. It is important to understand these factors in order to be a successful alfalfa producer.

Foreword [1988], Garry D. Lacefield

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

This is the front matter of the proceedings.