Forage http://www.dairyherd.com/dairy-resources/forage RSS Feed for Forage en-us Fri, 18 May 2012 19:55:09 GMT Farmers have time to switch to corn if alfalfa doesn't work http://www.dairyherd.com/dairy-resources/forage/Farmers-have-time-to-switch-to-corn-if-alfalfa-151915905.html Farmers wondering if they should keep their alfalfa or rotate to a different crop still have time to switch to corn if they find their alfalfa stands don't meet production criteria, an Ohio State University Extension educator says. Hay moisture levels http://www.dairyherd.com/dairy-resources/forage/Hay-moisture-levels-151610725.html How do you estimate hay moisture levels in the field? Veteran hay raisers have their own tricks which may involve twisting a handful or kicking the windrow to see if it “rattles.” Manage corn silage starch digestibility http://www.dairyherd.com/dairy-resources/forage/Manage-corn-silage-starch-digestibility-151504735.html Routinely test your corn silage to account for changes in starch digestibility. What you're feeding today is not what you were feeding last fall. Winter annuals: A concern in first-cutting alfalfa http://www.dairyherd.com/dairy-resources/forage/Winter-annuals-A-concern-in-first-cutting-alfalfa-151053765.html Established alfalfa stands that were good going into the fall may now have a lot of weed pressure from winter annuals. Watch grazing systems closely http://www.dairyherd.com/dairy-resources/forage/Watch-grazing-systems-closely-150917195.html Management is critical to effectively manage early-season forage growth. Frosted alfalfa could hurt fiber levels http://www.dairyherd.com/dairy-resources/forage/Frosted-alfalfa-could-hurt-fiber-levels-150879375.html Alfalfa hit by frost this spring might have a lower NDF concentration. You might want to consider delaying cutting. Here is some advice. Weather impact on alfalfa quality assessed by field project http://www.dairyherd.com/dairy-resources/forage/Weather-impact-on-alfalfa-quality-assessed-by-field-project-150667445.html MSU Extension educators have coordinated a short-term field project to assess the effects of this spring’s unusual weather conditions on the growth and quality of alfalfa across Michigan. Corn replant considerations http://www.dairyherd.com/dairy-resources/forage/Corn-replant-considerations-150144975.html Farmers definitely don’t want to replant a corn field unless absolutely necessary to assure an economical crop to harvest, and, therefore, retailer agronomists and crop consultants are often expected to help farmers make the nay or yea decision. Storing large round bales http://www.dairyherd.com/dairy-resources/forage/Storing-large-round-bales-150468605.html Research has shown that storage losses in large round bales stored outside and unprotected can be far greater than hay producers realize. Boron deficiency in alfalfa http://www.dairyherd.com/dairy-resources/forage/Boron-deficiency-in-alfalfa-150219855.html University of Illinois assistant professor of crop sciences Fabián Fernández has noticed visible signs of boron deficiency in alfalfa.