Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Alfalfa Production And Marketing — Producer Story, Reeves Davie, Alfred Davie, Gene Davie

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Our decision to plant a hundred acres of alfalfa in the late summer of 1981 was not made hastily. Past experiences of others in the area who had grown alfalfa commercially, an economic study of the alfalfa hay situation and the declining prices of corn, wheat, and soybeans all had their affect on our decision. However, we did not anticipate the price of corn, wheat and soybeans sinking to the levels they did this past year of 1982.

An Economic Examination Of Kentucky's Potential For Alfalfa Production, W. Donald Shurley

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

In managing a farm successfully, a major decision faced by the farmer is the choice of enterprises and the level of production for each of the enterprises chosen. For each enterprise or combination of enterprises, an initial investment in land, buildings, and machinery is required. The enterprises chosen and the production levels of each enterprise must be sufficient to reward investments above their cost. Once the choice of enterprises is made and investment incurred, little flexibility exists in making changes among enterprises unless some investments are liquidated and new investments made.

Chemical Preservation Of Alfalfa Hay And Silage, Charles T. Dougherty, J. Kenneth Evans

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

A wide range of substances are being marketed throughout the forage world to enhance, preserve and otherwise modify hay and silage. Some of the products are ineffective, while the benefits of others depend on the correct application and some are used at rates far below that which is effective. Alfalfa can be made into high quality hay and silage without the use of additives if recommended practices are employed, however, when the use of best management practices is not enough, additives may make economic sense. Such is the case in N.W. Europe where the weather prevents haymaking, and the high …

Harvest Management, Harold Vaught

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Harvest management is not an easy topic to address. Every farm or field may present a different situation, thus, decisions must be made by the grower as to the harvest schedule he uses. Most everything I will discuss has research to back it up but I will not reference it. I must say that some of my comments have come from experience and observation over a period of many years.

Managing Leaf Spot Diseases Of Alfalfa, William C. Nesmith

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Approximately 25-30 diseases attack and reduce the yield, quality or stand longevity of alfalfa in Kentucky. The largest number of these diseases are leaf spot. Generally, the leaf spots diseases are more important in reducing quality due to leaf loss than direct killing of plants. Some of the leaf spots are severe enough to warrant specific controls aimed directly at them while others are managed through more general practices.

Weed Management In Alfalfa, William W. Witt

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Weeds compete with alfalfa for water, nutrients, light, and space. This competition can decrease yields, lower forage quality, increase disease and insect problems, create harvesting problems, and initiate or poison the animals which will consume the forage. Premature loss of alfalfa stands is usually the result of the interaction of the pest complex - diseases, insects, and weeds.

Kentucky's Ipm Program For Alfalfa, Chris M. Christensen

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a concept that encourages the use of a variety of strategies in the management of crop pests. It is very important to have an indepth understanding of the crop production system when implementing an IPM program. An IPM program is dynamic requiring a continual evaluation of the status of the crop, the associated pest complex, the effects of the pests and the biological deterrents to those pests. If a pest population gets "out of hand" and begins to cause economic damage, pest management techniques may need to be applied. These pest management measures may be …

Soil And Fertility Management, Lloyd W. Murdock

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Alfalfa is a high producing, labor intensive, high cost and high return crop. Therefore, it only makes sense not to limit its production or longevity by establishing it on unsuitable soil or by the use of unsound fertility practices. It is the aim of this paper to propose practices which will not limit the production of alfalfa, but, also allow it to be done as efficiently as possible with only the necessary inputs.

Kentucky Alfalfa Variety Testing Program, Roy E. Sigafus

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

In the 1950's and 60's alfalfa variety trials were conducted by the Lexington staff at 5 to 7 locations. Trials are now limited to Lexington and Princeton, but numerous demonstration seedings are established by the Extension Service personnel throughout the state.

Establishment And Early Management Of Alfalfa Stands For Hay And Silage Production, J. Kenneth Evans, Charles T. Dougherty

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

To achieve high levels of productivity and long-lived alfalfa stands, farmers must treat alfalfa as a crop and not as a pasture on the back forty. In this paper we present current recommendations for establishment and early management of alfalfa stands in Kentucky. See AGR-76, Alfalfa-The Queen of Forage Crops, and AGR-64, Establishing Forage Crops, for more detailed information.

Alfalfa In Kentucky — Situation And Challenge, Garry D. Lacefield

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Alfalfa is one of the most important forage crops in the United States. Of all commonly grown forages, it is among the highest in feeding value and has the highest yield potential of all adapted perennial forage legumes. Alfalfa is grown over a wide range of soil and climatic conditions and can play an important role in soil conservation. Alfalfa is a versatile crop which can be used as pasture, hay and silgage. As a result of its versatility, yield potential and quality, it can be used successfully in all livestock feeding programs.

Foreword [1983], Garry D. Lacefield

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

This is the front matter of the proceedings.

You Can Make Money Producing And Marketing Alfalfa In The 80'S, David C. Petritz

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

We are today, as we were during most of the 70's, concerned with the future of the forage enterprise and the livestock species that depend on it. Will they survive an environment in which the emphasis is on grain exports? Will they survive in an environment in which consumers are not able (but hopefully willing) to pay prices for red meats which are profitable for all segments of the livestock industry? Will they survive in the 80's when real interest rates will be relatively high?

Marketing Alternatives For Kentucky Alfalfa: Needs, Challenges And Opportunities, J. Kenneth Evans

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

There are unquestionable needs for more high quality alfalfa in the Southeastern U.S. From these needs arise the challenge and opportunities for those who are researching, informing, teaching, and even promoting alfalfa. Likewise, there are income opportunities for those who own resources which could be used in producing and marketing alfalfa. This paper will discuss some of the factors which should be considered in hay marketing, i.e., (1) a dependable supply of hay; (2) producing high quality hay; and (3) planning to supply the highest quality hay to the highest priced market.

Hay - The National And International Traveler, Harry D. Gates Jr.

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Prior to 1883, packing, shipping and hauling hay was an irregular business. There was no established custom to govern, and every transaction was typical of the parties engaged in it.

The hay crop had become the leading agricultural product in value, and its importance commercially was appreciated. The amount of hay leaving the farm had steadily increased, but trade environment did not offer much encouragement for businessmen of regular methods, or the capitalist to embark in the business, and it was apparent to every thinking person that for the proper development of so important an industry it was necessary in …

Development Of Local Hay Association, Roger Sparrow, Eric Hinton, J. H. Ragland

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

The need for a Hay marketing "system" had been obvious to hay sellers and agricultural leaders in Larue County for some time. Five or six hay producers had been selling mainly alfalfa hay to truckers, who would transport the hay to a buyer and reap the profit. Hay was mostly sold by the bale and at a low price. Because of the land and soil type, Larue County had a good potential to produce alfalfa as a cash crop. The development of this potential was being limited by an unreliable and unprofitable market. Given these conditions, the development of a …

Alfalfa From The Consumer Standpoint, John Williams

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Traditionally, horsemen in this part of the United States have fed grass hay mixed with good red clover hay to their horses in training as well as their horses on the farm. Knowing that legume hay is high in protein, horsemen found this is a good source of the needed protein for their animals no matter what activity they were engaged in. A few problems were found with clover hay. First of all, it was usually dusty and, if not made under ideal circumstances, the hay was dark and in some cases moldy. The hay could never be purchased in …

Innovations In Hay Harvesting And Storing, V. L. Lectenberg, D. A. Holt

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Haymaking in the humid parts of the U.S. is the most risky operation that farmers engage in. Standing hay is extremely high in moisture and must be dried to at least 25% moisture less before it can be stored without spoilage. Most farmers rely on natural field drying processes to cure their hay. Natural drying is often slowed by high relative humidity. Rainfall frequently occurs before the hay has dried which further slows the drying process and can result in serious nutrient and yield losses. Haymaking is also a labor-intensive farming operation and, until recently, involved a large amount of …

Breaking The Alfalfa Yield Barrier, J. Paul Mueller

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

During the past one-hundred or so years, alfalfa production has spread and flourished in the United States. It has contributed to progress in many phases of the livestock industry.

No-Till Establishement Of Alfalfa, Harlan E. White, Dale D. Wolf

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

The no-till concept has been widely accepted in Virginia for corn and soybean production. However, alfalfa is still commonly established by plowing and tilling the soil into a fine seedbed. Each year many tons of productive topsoil is eroded by rainfall on those prepared seedbeds. The resulting gullies remain in the hayfield for the life of the stand to damage equipment and "rattle the teeth" of the operator.

Current Disease Problems In Alfalfa, William C. Nesmith

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Alfalfa is attacked by many fungi, bacteria, viruses and nematodes which USDA estimates reduces hay yields by 24% annually in the U.S. Even greater losses occur in Kentucky. However, it is the diseases of the root and crown which cause the greatest damage because they limit the number of years a stand can remain productive.

Quality Alfalfa Seed Production In The West, Vern L. Marble

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Alfalfa seed production in the western United States has become a specialized business, and can no longer be considered as a "catch crop" to be harvested along with a hay production program in historical production areas in the Plains and Rocky Mountain states which produced approximately 80 percent of all of the seed produced in the late 1940's and early 1950's. In 1981 the seven western states of California (47.8 percent), Idaho (12.2 percent), Nevada (8.7 percent), Washington (7.7 percent), Oregon (4.2 percent), Montana (4.5 percent), and Utah (3.2 percent) produced 87.5 percent of the total 1981 production of 117 …