For those of Southern ilk, the pasture gate has likely already been opened to grass of 2016 vintage. For others, it may still be too early. Either way, spring pasture management has a big impact
A small, but effective alfalfa killer Stunted alfalfa plants with shortened internodes and white plant tissue are telltale signs that alfalfa stem nematode may be a problem
Placing emphasis on harvesting forage that is high quality has long been a rally cry for just about everybody in the industry — farmer to researcher. As we head into April and th
Below are examples of alfalfa and grass prices being paid FOB barn/stack (except for those noted as delivered, which is indicated by a "d" in the table below) for selected states
It’s a basic axiom of forage production: Fertilize grass with nitrogen. Another more widespread axiom: There are exceptions to every rule. “If a livestock producer calls me in the spring
Planting corn for silage is somewhat unique compared to planting corn for grain. Hybrid selection, planting rates, and even row spacing offer different responses for silage than for grain
Heavy rains last summer, a dry fall and the usual harsh winter conditions are all reasons why there may be more than the usual number of pastures in need of a reboot for 2016. “A lot of
At last week’s two-day Southeast Hay Convention in Moultrie, Ga., there was a lot of alfalfa-growing discussion. “We’ll either talk you into it or out of it,” said Dennis Hancock,
The recent run of warm temperatures may have some people in the mood to grease up the drill and get an early start on seeding alfalfa. “For most situations, the risks of planting early
photo by Dennis HancockBermudagrass, a staple forage in Southern forage programs, comes in a couple of primary flavors: common and hybrid. From a productivity standpoint, hybrids are the preferred option
Though hay stocks were whittled down from a winter of feeding and export shipments, it apparently wasn’t enough to prompt an upward January price trend. Just the opposite occurred. The recent USDA
Anyone who has grown and harvested alfalfa has seen the effects harvest machinery wheel traffic can have on a stand. Visually, it’s most noticeable a week to 10 days after harvest in the form
Using livestock manure at appropriate rates on crop fields offers many advantages to the user, the soil and society. It makes all the sense in the world. Abusive overapplication of manure
It’s no secret that alfalfa fixes significant amounts of nitrogen (N) that benefits a subsequent grass crop and reduces or eliminates the need to purchase N fertilizer. The amount of available
“Accurately measuring pasture forage intake, whether warm or cool-season annuals, remains one of our greatest challenges,” says Nicolas DiLorenzo, beef specialist for the University of Florida
Kay Ledbetter, Texas A&M AgriLife Communications Farmers in the South no longer can take for granted a healthy, productive sorghum crop — even for forage. While researchers and plant
Forage testing is an ever-evolving industry. Whereas early forage testing results might only have had a half dozen tested parameters, today’s test is a plethora of metrics . . . and that’s
Across much of the Wheat Belt it is not uncommon to graze beef cattle on the vegetative growth through winter and then also harvest a grain crop from the same field
The optimum time for frost seeding legumes and grasses into established pastures varies with region, and we’ve reached the point where that time line has started its migration north. Regardles
