Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Grazing Alfalfa, Harlan E. White

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Alfalfa has tremendous potential as a pasture plant. The characteristics such as high yields, high quality, persistence, and drought tolerance that make it so valuable for hay and silage production also make it extremely useful for grazing. Properly managed so it has adequate recovery periods after being grazed, it can provide grazing over a six-month grazing season.

Hay Testing And Marketing Update, Jimmy C. Henning

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

The hay testing program of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture continues to be actively involved across the state. Presently, there are stationary NIR labs in Frankfort, Glasgow, and Paducah. These labs operate somewhat differently from traditional forage testing labs because, for the price of analyzing the forage sample ($10), they will actually come to the farm and sample your hay! To get your forage analyzed, call the Department of Agriculture in Frankfort at 1-800-248-4628. They will find a convenient time to meet with you at your bam for sampling. The KDA. samplers will also rate your hay for several visual …

The Role In Alfalfa In Soil Conservation, Glenn D. Johnson

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Due to its many benefits, alfalfa has earned its reputation as "Queen of the Forages". Some of alfalfa's advantages are 1) very high nutritional value for all classes of livestock, 2) adaptability to a wide range of soils and growing conditions, 3) flexibility in being able to be grown alone or with grasses, 4) to be harvested for hay, silage or pasture, 5) strong seedling vigor and 6) high yields.

Alfalfa also should be rated "Queen of the Forages" as a crop for the soil. In addition to its many other benefits, alfalfa is an excellent choice for soil improvement …

Weed Control Strategies For Alfalfa Production, James R. Martin

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

The importance of weed control in alfalfa production should not be overlooked especially when you consider the high investment associated with this crop.

Management Options For Thinning Alfalfa Stands, 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 widely adapted and is grown over a wide range of soil and climatic conditions. Alfalfa has the highest yield potential and 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 human consumption (sprouts, etc.). As a result of this crops many merits, especially yield, quality and versatile use, it can be used successfully in many animal feeding programs.

Alfalfa Varieties, Jimmy C. Henning

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Few areas of forage agriculture are changing faster than variety development in alfalfa. The 1990 revised "Alfalfa Varieties" publication of the Certified Alfalfa Seed Council listed 26 new alfalfa varieties. Of the available certified alfalfa varieties, only 10 to 15% are public varieties. The remainder are developed and marketed by commercial companies such as Agripro, Dairy land, FFR, Pioneer, Vista, W-L Research, and others. The need for yield and performance information on alfalfa varieties therefore increases yearly. In 1990, the alfalfa variety testing program was re-started under the leadership of the University of Kentucky and Western Kentucky University (WKU). Three …

Procedures For No-Till Alfalfa, Harlan E. White

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Technology is now available to successfully establish new stands of alfalfa without the need for tillage and preparation of a fine seedbed. Establishing new stands of alfalfa no-till essentially eliminates the threat of soil erosion while the new seeding is becoming established as well as the resulting ruts and gullies which damage equipment and can be dangerous to equipment operators. In addition to conserving soil, no-till seedings conserve moisture already present in the seedbed. This, plus the dramatic reduction in water run-off, improves the moisture supply for new seedlings. Less time and fuel are required to seed using no-till methods …

Foreword [1991], Garry D. Lacefield

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

This is the front matter of the proceedings.