Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Marketing Options For Quality Kentucky Alfalfa Hay, Tom Keene

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

As today's farmer becomes more and more business like, running his farming operation as a commercial business, the production of alfalfa hay should be treated no differently. When the farmer makes the decision to plant alfalfa, he should have already done a great deal of research and given a great deal of thought into the markets he is going to try to target for his product. Any successful commercial business looks into market potential even before production begins, whether they produce toys, cars, appliances, computers, etc. Alfalfa hay production should be no different in regards to seeking out various markets …

What Leading Alfalfa Growers Do To Produce Quality Hay, Jimmy C. Henning, Garry D. Lacefield, Buddy Sims

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Alfalfa is the highest quality forage legume crop grown in Kentucky and is the number one cash hay crop. Hay raised by Kentucky farmers has been recognized for its quality at local, state (state fair and Kentucky Alfalfa Conference), and national (American Forage and Grassland Council) hay contests. The testing records of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture also document the high quality alfalfa hay of Kentucky. However, little has been written about the farm practices used to produce high quality alfalfa hay in Kentucky. The current practices of top hay growers may be helpful in defining the options available to …

Are We Making Progress With Hay Quality In Kentucky?, Buddy Sims

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

During the Kentucky State Fair, Garry Lacefield asked if I would be on the XVI Kentucky Alfalfa Conference program. Certainly I never miss an opportunity to talk, especially about testing forages. Then in October we communicated again and it was decided that my topic would be "Are We Making Progress With Hay Quality in Kentucky?" Seems like a simple yes or no question! Well ... l elected to think about this under the middle of December. Of course, during this time, the people of the Commonwealth elected a new Commissioner of Agriculture. Your selection was Billy Ray Smith, who throughout …

Role Of Alfalfa In Our Farming Operation, Larry Jeffries

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Our farming operation consists of 214 acres. We raise 14,000 pounds of tobacco, have a purebred beef cattle herd, and sell hay. Alfalfa is the only one of the three sources of income that we can project an increase for 1996.

Our alfalfa cash hay sales have increased for several years due to the increase of suburban horse owners in the Louisville area.

I think it is important to have a written plan for 1996. We wouldn't think of making a long trip without a map, especially into strange territory - we farmers are in strange territory. If you don't …

Utilizing Alfalfa Hay In Horse Diets, Laurie Lawrence

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

All horses need fiber in their diets. Forages, usually as pasture or hay, are the primary sources of fiber in most rations. The exact amount of hay that a horse will eat on a daily or yearly basis will depend on the size of the horse, the class of the horse (pregnant, working, etc) and the type of hay being fed. The type and amount of other feeds in the ration will also impact the amount of hay consumed, but in general, horse owners/managers should try to maximize forage intake and then supplement with grain or other feeds to meet …

Advances In Harvesting And Storing High Quality Alfalfa, Michael Collins

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

On suitable soils, alfalfa produces the highest yields of dry matter and nutrients possible under Kentucky conditions. Limitations to achievement of this potential are often related to losses that occur during alfalfa harvest and storage. We have conducted a number of studies addressing technologies designed to minimize the extent of these losses.

Fencing And Watering Systems For Grazing Alfalfa, Larry Turner

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Controlled or rotational grazing can result in better utilization of the forage resources on your farm. By better forage management through controlled grazing, you can increase profitability of cattle/forage systems. To effectively develop a controlled grazing system, however, fencing must be used to subdivide the pasture into sub-fields or paddocks. The animals may then be rotated among the paddocks to optimize forage and beef or dairy production from the system. Alfalfa grazing can play an important part in such a system. By using alfalfa, additional grazing management options are available, including avoiding high-endophyte fescue in hot summer periods thereby gaining …

Opportunities For Alfalfa As A Grazing Crop In Kentucky, Ken Johnson

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

As we think about the possibilities of alfalfa as a grazing crop, maybe we need to look at some of the limitations and where alfalfa may fit into Kentucky producers programs.

When looking at Kentucky's land area of 25 million acres we see that nearly half is in woodland. Of the 12 million acres remaining; about 3 million is in row crops, 2 million in hay, 2 million in non farm uses, and the rest is pasture. That is about 5 million acres in pasture or at least available to the pastured. With at least 7 million acres in hay …

Grazing Alfalfa: Putting The Puzzle Together, Garry D. Lacefield, Jimmy C. Henning, David Stalion

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Interest in alfalfa as a grazing crop has increased dramatically over the past decade. There are many research and demonstrations being conducted in Kentucky and across the U.S. as we continue to investigate and learn more about alfalfa's role in forage-based livestock production.

Listed below are some of the reasons farmers, researchers and agribusiness personnel are excited about the opportunity for alfalfa as a grazing crop.

Foreword [1996], Garry D. Lacefield, Christi L. Forsythe

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

This is the front matter of the proceedings.