Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Forage Moisture Testers, George Turner, Doug Overhults

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

The quality of forage used for feed is affected by the moisture content at which it was harvested and stored. To guess moisture content from experience or by hand squeezing and wadding is not accurate enough for today's methods of putting up hay, haylage or silage.

There are several very accurate and rapid types of sophisticated moisture indicators used in various industries, but these are too complex and costly to be considered for portable use by farmers. Other smaller instruments are also available that do a less accurate but acceptable job of determining moisture content of forage. One of these …

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.