Soil Science Commons^™

Moisture--Temperature Management During Alfalfa Hay And Silage Making & Storing, Michael Collins

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

In some areas of the country, producers store a substantial portion of their forage for winter feeding as silage or haylage. However, hay remains the most popular storage method for forage. Hay stores well for long periods and is better suited to cash sale and transportation than silage. Mechanical conditioning, which gained acceptance during the 1950's is probably still the greatest single change in hay harvesting and storage technology during this century. However, a number of other noteworthy changes and innovations have occurred in recent years which have helped to reduce the extent of losses during hay harvesting and storage.

Marketing Kentucky Alfalfa, Nicky Baker

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

The main key to marketing hay over the years is flexibility. Don’t gear up too heavy for the one specific market. Keep your options open and remember there aren’t any government payments.

Marketing Kentucky Alfalfa, Tom Keene

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

In order to market Kentucky produced alfalfa, we need to go back and look at our operation to see if we can produce high quality alfalfa. We can start doing this by determining what the best land use is given the particular soils and typography that makes up your farm layout. There are other things we need to be aware of after we determine our ability to grow alfalfa; is the terrain suitable for harvesting alfalfa using different types of harvesting equipment? Also do we have the equipment necessary to produce alfalfa, either as a grazing tool, grass hay or …

Balancing Agronomics And Economics Of Alfalfa Hay Production, Brian Lacefield, Garry D. Lacefield

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Alfalfa has high-yielding, high-quality, persistent, and profitable potential if given adequate management and a balance of several agronomic and economic considerations. How can we account for the differences among producers who have the average alfalfa yields of 3.0 tons/A with the top hay producers who average approximately 5.0 tons/acre and the producer who has achieved the record yield of 10.13 tons/acre? Is the answer “luck”, better soils, moisture and growing conditions? The answer may certainly be yes, but. Yes, the factors above are important and can explain some differences; however, we believe the overall difference is the management of research-based …

Hybrid Alfalfa: Reality Or Pipe Dream? Dairyland Seed Company, Michael Velde

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Progress in increasing alfalfa forage yield has been minimal over the past 20 years. This is due primarily to lack of pollen control in open pollinated synthetic varieties. All alfalfa varieties to date have been open pollinated synthetic varieties. New alfalfa hybridization technology provides the tools to overcome the forage yield barriers that have been hindering alfalfa breeders from making progress

Roundup Ready Alfalfa Update, Daniel O. Foor

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

No abstract provided.

Establishing Alfalfa Using No-Till Techniques, Gary Bates

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

There have been many changes in agriculture over the last 50 years. One of the greatest has been the use of no-till planting methods. The development of drill and herbicides has made no-till seedings as successful as seeding into prepared land.

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.

Efficient Grazing Systems: Putting Pieces Together, Charles T. Dougherty

Kentucky Grazing Conference

Pros and cons of grazing systems are well-known to this audience. Efficient grazing systems, however, are a different story. What is an efficient grazing system? I think we could argue that topic until the cows come home and I do not believe we could come to any agreement. I am going to approach the subject of efficiency from several angles but you will probably see them differently. Economic efficiencies will not be covered.

Kentucky Goat Friendly Pasture Concepts, Terry Hutchens

Kentucky Grazing Conference

Goats are accomplished grazers of grass and browse plants. In addition, they can be managed within a grazing system both intensively or extensively as long as quality forage is made available. Goats are facultative browsers, they prefer to feed at eye level and upward and then feed on forage from the top of the plant down. Goats prefer to move freely from plant to plant-removing foliage from select portions of plants. Foliage meals are dictated by quality factors that insure adequate protein and energy levels. Each stem or leaf is clipped with precision leaving the forage residue standing equal in …

Effective Use Of Pastures For Horses, Robert Coleman

Kentucky Grazing Conference

Pastures can serve two very necessary functions for the care and maintenance of horses. Not only do these areas of grasses and legumes provide a place for the horse to exercise, they can provide a significant portion of the horse’s nutrient requirement. Horses evolved as a grazing animal, so it is reasonable that many classes of horse can be adequately maintained on well-managed pastures.

The Economics Of Integrating Crop Land To Mig Grazing, Edward N. Ballard

Kentucky Grazing Conference

Illinois soils vary in their properties and producing capacities. Large areas of the state have soils that are among the most productive in the world. Other areas have soils that, because they are too steep or droughty or have some other undesirable features, are not the most productive for corn and soybeans.

However, over the past 30 years there has been a trend to place more acres in Illinois in corn and soybeans and less acres in small grains, legumes and pasture crops. Government incentive programs have encouraged more acres to be place into corn and soybean production.

Environmental Benefits With Improved Grazing, David Stipes

Kentucky Grazing Conference

The public is becoming better educated about the environment and will continually question activities that are perceived as being harmful to soil, water, air, plants, people, animals and other concerns. Livestock producers who implement well-planned grazing management systems have an excellent opportunity to compliment both production and natural resource conservation considerations. All segments of the population involved in production agriculture will be held accountable for environmental impacts that result from their operation. A proactive approach is needed by livestock and other agricultural producers to sustain the protection of the environment that is in harmony with a healthy ecosystem. All those …

Grazing Systems For Beef Cattle, John Johns

Kentucky Grazing Conference

Beef cattle represent the most important grazing livestock enterprise to Kentucky producers. As of January 1, 2003 there were 1,120,000 producing beef brood cows on 39,000 farms in the state. In addition, more than 600,000 yearling cattle are also produced. The number of total beef animals is increasing as producers put more economic reliance on beef and forage programs. In many cases, beef cattle represent the only practical method of converting high quality forage to income for producers.

Grazing Systems For Dairy, Donna M. Amaral-Phillips

Kentucky Grazing Conference

Forages which are grazed can provide anywhere from 25 to 100% of the forage consumed by growing dairy heifers, dry cows or the milking herd. In this paper, I would like to specifically deal with devising a grazing program for a dairy lactating or milking herd. Lactating dairy cows are a “high performance animal” and, as such, any decreases in the availability or quality of forage can quickly decrease milk production. Thus, the goal when designing a grazing system is to provide adequate quantities of high-quality, vegetative forage to prevent decreases in performance. These decreases in performance occur in all …

Opportunities For Warm Season Grasses, Ken Johnson

Kentucky Grazing Conference

Today I would like to do two things, first talk a little about warm season grasses, where they come from, and where they might fit in your grazing program; and second, talk about the four major native grass species and two introduced species.

Native warm season perennial grasses were an important part of the native forage species of Kentucky, supplying food and cover for deer, buffalo, and other wildlife when settlers arrived into Kentucky. With settlers plowing, overgrazing, and the introduction of other forages, Native Warm Season Grasses (NWSGs) were on the brink of extinction. These grasses included switchgrass, eastern …

Optimize Grazing--Minimize Stored Feed, Garry D. Lacefield

Kentucky Grazing Conference

The title “Optimize Grazing – Minimize Stored Feed” appears to be a bit redundant at first glance. Indeed if we optimize grazing, we will certainly minimize the amount of stored feed required to winter our animals. Putting both concepts together can serve as a reminder of the tremendous benefit of both.

Grazing represents the cheapest source of nutrients for our beef industry. Several studies have shown that the best predictor of profitability in the beef industry is cost of stored feed. In Kentucky, specifically, that means cost/amount of hay required to winter on beef animals.

Foreword And Kfgc Award Winners [2003], Garry D. Lacefield, Christi L. Forsythe

Kentucky Grazing 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.