Earth Sciences Commons^™

Measuring Hay Temperatures, Doug Overhults

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

It is well known that baling hay at the right moisture content is the key to preventing excessive heating in the bale. It can be quite a challenge, though, to get all of the hay baled without some of it being a bit wetter than is desirable. That’s when trouble can begin, and we have to be concerned about heating that could damage the hay or even lead to spontaneous combustion. Fortunately, the heating process does take some time to develop and we do know what temperatures signal that a critical situation may be developing. So, monitoring bale or stack …

Fertilizing Alfalfa For Profit, Monroe Rasnake

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Alfalfa has a high yield potential in relation to most other forages. However, this potential can only be realized on a long-term basis if the nutrient needs of the plant are adequately provided for. In addition, the ability of alfalfa plants to survive the heat and drought of summer and the cold of winter depends on an abundant supply of plant nutrients.

Grazing Alfalfa, Garry D. Lacefield

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Over the past decade we have had several people address “Alfalfa as a Grazing Crop” including Warren Thompson, Gary Bates, Ken Johnson, Jason Sandefur, Byron Sleugh, and myself. Each has done an excellent job discussing the merits of this remarkable crop and the opportunities it offers for grazing. At the end of the Conference last year, I (as I always do) asked for your suggestions concerning topics for this years’ conference. As it has been for the past decade, “Grazing” was the most requested topic. In today’s presentation, let’s go back and revisit the question, “Is Grazing Alfalfa Right for …

Foreword And Recipients Of Kentucky Alfalfa Awards [2004], Garry D. Lacefield, Christi L. Forsythe

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

No abstract provided.

Alfalfa Disease Management, Paul Vincelli

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Alfalfa can be a vigorous and productive forage crop for Kentucky farmers. Like all farm crops, however, alfalfa is subject to infectious diseases that can limit forage production. Managing these diseases is an important part of economical alfalfa production.

Weed Management In Alfalfa, Jonathan D. Green

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

The importance of weed control in forage production should not be overlooked, especially when you consider the high investment associated with alfalfa and other legume forages. Weed management strategies in forage legumes should first focus on cultural practices and then on chemical weed control options. Vigorous, densely growing forage legume stands tend to have fewer weed problems. Thus, cultural and management practices that promote a highly competitive forage stand help prevent many weed problems. These practices include: 1) liming and fertilizing fields based on soil test recommendations; 2) seeding well-adapted, vigorous, and long-lived varieties; 3) buying weed-free seed; 4) cutting …

Producing Quality Alfalfa Hay, Jimmy C. Henning, Garry D. Lacefield

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Hay is one of the most versatile of stored forages in that (1) it can be kept for long periods of time with little loss of nutrients if protected from weather; (2) a large number of crops can be successfully used for hay production; (3) it can be produced and fed in small or large amounts; (4) it can be harvested, stored and fed by hand or the production and feeding can be completely mechanized; and (5) hay can supply most nutrients needed by many classes of livestock. Hay is, therefore, the most commonly used stored feed on most farms.

Forage Testing & Marketing Program, Allen Johnson

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Two thousand and three marks the 141^th year for the Kentucky Department of Agriculture for testing forages. We continue to strive to offer a quality service to producers at the very least cost possible. After all these years we continue to charge only $10.00 per lot or cutting and have expanded our services to try to meet the needs of our forage and livestock producers. In January 2002, we introduced the testing of haylages and have expanded this to cover most of the haylage crops harvested in Kentucky. In cooperation with The University of Kentucky Extension Service, the department …

Buying And Selling Alfalfa Hay, Garry D. Lacefield, Jimmy C. Henning

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Alfalfa hay is an important agricultural product. Although often fed on the farms where it is produced, much alfalfa hay is also sold as a cash crop. It often constitutes a major source of income for those who sell it, or a major expense for those who buy it. Such transactions involve billions of dollars nationwide each year.

Alfalfa Haylage And Silage, Michael Collins

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Even with extended grazing systems, typical winter weather conditions in Kentucky necessitate the production of some stored forage for livestock during winter. Hay has traditionally been the way of storing this forage. However, when rain occurs during haymaking operations, the losses can be severe both in yield and in forage quality. Harvest losses are greatest for very dry forage and are low for very wet material like direct cut silage. Silage offers an opportunity to avoid most of the rain damage during harvest because the crop only needs to be left out overnight in most cases to be ready to …

Alfalfa And Mrls: What We Know After One Year Of Testing, Jimmy C. Henning, Wayne Long

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

The onset of mare reproductive loss syndrome in April 2001 in Kentucky lead to much speculation about its cause. Some of these initial 'suspects' included the ergot alkaloids of tall fescue, potential cyanide content of white clover, wide Calcium/Potassium ratios in pasture, fungal mycotoxins and the presence of certain poisonous plants. Certain consultants also indicated that no one should purchase or feed any Kentucky hay in 2001. However, these statements were not based on any hard information, just one person's opinion. But great damage was done to the confidence in Kentucky grown hay.

Alfalfa, The Queen Of Forage Crops — Reflections After Sixty Years Experience With The Crop, Warren C. Thompson

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Yes, it is true I have been involved with alfalfa for 60 years and then some. Fact is I was fortunate enough to pick the World's best forage on which to base much of my career about the same time I fell in love with and married the best lady I ever knew. Betty has stuck with me through these crazy wonderful years. She was largely responsible for matters at home and raising the family. She managed our family and home while I was on the move trying to encourage maybe even coerce farmers in Kentucky and then over the …

Alfalfa For Summer Grazing, Jason Sandefur

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Jason manages the Berle Clay Farm in Paris, Kentucky. The farm has been in the Clay family since the 1770's. The Homestead was built in 1778.

The farming operation consist of approximately 680 acres of orchardgrass-clover, 300 acres of orchardgrass-alfalfa, 210 acres of tall fescue-clover, 100 acres of crops, 13 acres of tobacco and 70 acres in roads, buildings, etc.

Advances In Developing Better Alfalfa Varieties, Jim Moutray

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Alfalfa breeders continue to actively pursue the development of varieties that will bring more benefits to farmers. Yield and better persistence are our highest priorities. Other traits under selection can make alfalfa easier and cheaper to grow, better and safer for livestock and more attractive to livestock.

The goal of this paper is to update you on the types of alfalfa research going on in the U.S., time tables on when you may expect to see these new developments and how they may help you in your operation.

Alfalfa Hay Quality: Terms And Definitions, Garry D. Lacefield

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

At the 22^nd Kentucky Alfalfa Conference we discussed the relationship among Alfalfa - Yield-Quality-Persistence. In our presentation, we indicated that all three components must be considered for best management of alfalfa stands. Over the past week, I have looked through the past twenty-two years of Alfalfa Conference Proceedings. It's interesting, but not surprising that we have focused far more attention on yield than on quality and/or persistence.

Alfalfa yield (quantity) and quality are both important; however, it is easier for producers to recognize problems associated with quantity than quality because quantity can be easily assessed visually. Thus, forage quantity …

Foreword [2003], Garry D. Lacefield

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

This is the front matter of the proceedings.

Package Options For Alfalfa, Michael Collins

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Most of the hay crop in Kentucky is harvested as dry hay and stored in round bales of various sizes for feeding on the farm. Most of the round-baled hay in Kentucky is used on-farm in feeding beef and dairy cattle. When alfalfa hay in round bales is left outside without protection from the weather, large losses in DM yield and in forage quality usually result. We routinely measure DM losses in the range of 20- 35% for a normal length hay storage season. Our research has shown that several economical storage options exist for protecting this hay from weathering. …

Marketing Kentucky Hay, Billy Ray Smith

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

The production of hay and pasture crops is essential to a profitable future for Kentucky agriculture. The Commonwealth ranked seventh in the nation in hay production in the year 2000 with 6.2 million tons. These forages provide the bulk of the feed supply for our livestock industry. In addition, a significant portion of our hay crop is marketed, both to in-state and out-of-state buyers.

Innovative Loading And Stacking Systems For Custom Hay Sales, Tom Keene

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

As the face of agriculture continues to change, so does the hay industry. What was standard operating procedure twenty years ago is now no longer economically feasible in the cash hay industry. This is especially true in the loading and stacking end of the business.

The business has changed because new technology along with the dramatic decrease in the availability of "hand labor" has helped to drive the need for new loading and stacking systems for the hay industry. These two phenomenon will continue to drive us toward total mechanization in the hay industry in fact many hay producers are …

Designing A Grazing System For Alfalfa, Ken Johnson

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

As we think about grazing alfalfa, we should decide why we are considering alfalfa and where it fits. I want to address some of these issues from my prospective as a grazer with several years experience and as an agriculture employee working with many grazers over the years. Alfalfa is the most productive, high quality grazing forage we can grow in Kentucky; we need to be using it more.

Grazing Alfalfa At The Western Kentucky University Farm, Byron Sleugh, Raquel Stiles, David K. Stiles, Amanda Canty, Curtis Mitchell

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Alfalfa has been around for centuries. In all this time, it was used in many different ways to provide high quality forage to livestock. In fact, in the area where alfalfa originated, the word actually means "horse power". We have come a long way since then and alfalfa is used for a wide range of animals, from rabbits to rhinos.

In order to maximize the efficiency of utilization of alfalfa, it has become necessary to graze it. Grazing is preferred over harvesting and storage for several reasons: less equipment and thus lower cost, less harvest loss, and greater quality forage …

Managing Alfalfa For Yield-Quality-Persistence, Garry D. Lacefield

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Alfalfa is a premier forage legume that has played an important role in Kentucky's forage-livestock program for many years. It's role at present is increasing and it's most significant role is yet to come.

Advances In Alfalfa Breeding — What Will The Alfalfa Variety Of The Future Smell, Taste, Look And Act Like?, Jimmy C. Henning

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Alfalfa is the highest quality, highest yielding and arguably the highest value forage crop in Kentucky and in the US. It is useful as hay, haylage or pasture for a variety of species of livestock. It is well adapted to Kentucky and is an important part of the forage/livestock system.

Alfalfa breeders are actively working to develop varieties that will meet and exceed farmer expectations for yield and persistence. In addition, other traits are sought after to make the variety meet a special need or to have better marketability or attraction to the customer.

So what will the alfalfa of …

Foreword [2002], Garry D. Lacefield

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

This is the front matter of the proceedings.

Alfalfa As A Cash Hay Crop, John Nowak

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Over the years we have all learned of the great potential alfalfa has as a forage crop in Kentucky. We have seen it used as hay, haylage and even pasture. Many aspects of our agri-business community have alfalfa as an important part of their business.

Alfalfa For Beef Cattle, W. Roy Burris

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Alfalfa is sometimes said to be "too good" for beef cattle. Although it's nutritional value may sometimes exceed beef cows' needs, to dismiss it's potential for beef cattle would be a mistake. Alfalfa can be useful as a harvested feed or as a grazing crop.

Alfalfa For Dairy Cattle, Donna M. Amaral-Phillips

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Alfalfa is known as the queen of the forage crops and for good reasons. Alfalfa is an excellent forage for dairy cattle because it provides nutrients needed by dairy cows in a package which is highly digestible and cost effective. Alfalfa can be grazed directly by cattle or harvested as hay, haylage, or batage. Dairy farmers will purchase locally-grown hay if it is high quality (RFV greater than 150). When marketing cash hay one needs to understand that the quality of alfalfa greatly impacts milk production and economics of a dairy operation. This impact is felt even when as little …

Alfalfa Hay For Horses, Laurie Lawrence

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Horse owners frequently mention cleanliness, color and cutting when it comes to choosing hay. Cleanliness should be the most important factor in selecting horse hay. Hay that contains dust or mold can inflame the respiratory tract. It is also possible for hay mold to affect other systems in the horse such as the digestive system and liver. Some horses suffer from a chronic respiratory condition that seriously impairs their ability to breathe normally. This condition, commonly known as heaves, worsens when horses are fed moldy or dusty hay. Horses with heaves are exercise intolerant and thus have little value except …

Reducing The Risk Of Bloat, Patty Scharko

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Bloat refers to excessive accumulation of gas in the rumen. Bloat results when an animal can not eructate or "belch up" gases produced in the process of rumen fermentation. The gas may be in the free form or may be mixed with rumen contents in the form of froth. It occurs both on pasture and in feedlots and can be a major cause of death in cattle wherever intensive farming is practiced. Additional losses can include decreased milk production and reduced rate of gain. Although legumes may increase the opportunity for bloat to occur, fear of bloat should not keep …

Grazing Alfalfa: Is It Right For You?, Jimmy C. Henning

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Grazing alfalfa can be a very profitable and valuable practice for many Kentucky farmers. How do you know if this practice will work for you? First, you must be able to grow alfalfa. Second, you must address the concerns that are specific to grazing alfalfa.