Alfalfa

A Late First Cutting Can Cost You All Season

Tue, 05 May 2026 22:04:11 GMT

With spring fieldwork underway, farmers are juggling a long list of jobs. Planters are rolling, fields are getting prepped and every good weather window is maximized.

At the same time, alfalfa fields continue to grow and are inching closer to first cutting. This timing tends to line up with some of the busiest stretches, and when alfalfa reaches the right stage, it becomes the priority, causing other fieldwork to get set aside. And the challenge with planning first cutting is working within a short window where crop conditions can change in a hurry.

First Cutting Sets the Tone for the Year

According to Kimberly Cassida, a Michigan State University forage specialist, the first cutting often represents a third or more of total seasonal forage production. And in shorter growing season regions, it can approach half of a farm’s total yield. Because of that, timing has a strong impact on feed supplies and ration flexibility throughout the year.

Early in the season the crop changes quickly and the decision to cut comes down to balancing higher yield against declining forage quality.

“For any kind of a forage crop, we always have to deal with a trade-off between yield and quality,” Cassida says. “As our forage crop is increasing in yield over time, it’s becoming more mature, and when it’s more mature, that means it has more fiber, more lignin, more cell wall and more stem compared to leaves.”

(Farm Journal)

Neutral detergent fiber (NDF) increases as the crop matures, while digestibility declines faster in first growth than in later cuttings. Crude protein also declines with maturity, which reduces both energy and protein value when harvest is delayed.

“We like to keep NDF around 40% for dairy-quality hay,” Cassida says. “And that level can change by nearly one percentage point per day.”

What to Look for in the Field

Once you understand how fast quality can change, the focus shifts to determining when the stand is ready to cut. Instead of waiting for a certain date, fields can be walked to assess plant stage, height and how development is progressing.

Plant cues and simple measurements do most of the work in narrowing timing. A few field indicators include:

Stage of growth: “For highest quality, we would like to be harvesting alfalfa at late bud and no later than one‑tenth bloom,” Cassida says. “Once you see purple flowers across the field, you’re past that mark.”
Plant height: First‑cut alfalfa for high‑quality feed is often in the harvest window when bud‑stage plants are about 28 to 32 inches tall. Cassida notes that many growers aim for a point where “bud‑stage alfalfa is about 26 inches tall” as a dairy‑quality target.
Bud development: Look for visible buds with little to no purple bloom showing. A few scattered flowers are acceptable; widespread purple signals you are moving out of the dairy window.
Field variability: Check multiple areas of the field. High spots, low spots, and traffic lanes can all mature at different speeds.
Rapid change in warm weather: In first cutting, quality can slip fast. RFQ can drop four to five points per day, which Cassida linked to “about $10 per day in value per ton” when hay is headed for premium markets.

Together, these help identify when the crop is entering the harvest window where yield and quality are still in balance.

Regrowth Starts the Clock

The first cutting doesn’t just affect one harvest. It ends up setting the timing for the rest of the season and how the remaining cuttings fall into place.

“This date also determines your second, third, fourth and potentially fifth cutting windows,” Cassida says.

(PDPW)

Once the first cutting is made, regrowth starts the clock for the rest of the season. When harvest is delayed, later cuttings can become compressed, reducing flexibility and making it harder to hit optimal timing later in the year.

Delays can also affect plant recovery and overall productivity.

“If you are forced to delay the first cutting due to environmental conditions, this could have negative consequences with a slower regrowth and perhaps a reduction in future yield production,” Cassida says.

Working Within the Window

First cutting carries more weight than any other harvest in the system. It represents a large share of total forage yield, sets the pace for the rest of the season and changes quickly once the crop reaches the bud stage. Weather variability, stand differences and rapid spring growth all influence timing. But combining plant stage, height and regular scouting helps narrow the window.

For most farms, the goal is not just getting it done, but getting it done in a window where yield and quality are still aligned.

How to Keep Good Hay From Going Bad: Barn Storage Tips That Protect its Quality and Value

Fri, 13 Jun 2025 21:22:45 GMT

Even with hay under cover, it’s easy to overlook how much its nutritional value can degrade over time. Moisture, temperature swings and how the hay is baled and stacked all affect feed quality. Just because a bale looks good on the outside doesn’t mean it’s holding its feed value.

“Storage losses have a big effect on hay quantities and quality, so in the long run, investing additional resources in hay storage could pay big dividends,” says former UW-Extension agriculture agent, Craig Saxe. “To put storage losses in perspective, let’s assume you store your hay outside and have a fairly reasonable storage loss of 10%. That may not sound all that bad, but a 10% storage loss means that for every 10 bales of hay that you harvest, you really only have the equivalent of 9 bales of hay to feed.”

Even in a barn, storage conditions still matter.

“The way you store hay after baling can have a big effect on hay quantity and quality losses, so it’s worth investing additional resources-money, labor and equipment-in hay storage,” says Bill Wilcke, retired Extension engineer at the University of Minnesota. “This preserves the value of the hay and ensures a good return on your initial investment to bale the hay.”

Wilcke stresses that hay should only be stored with a moisture content of 20% or less. Anything higher can lead to:

Molding and heating
Dry-matter and nutrient loss
Discoloration

“Large rectangular bales don’t lose much moisture after baling,” he adds. “This is why it’s important to bale at the proper moisture, instead of baling at higher moisture and counting on some natural drying in storage.”

Tips for Better Hay Storage in the Barn

Even small nutrient losses can make a difference. However, a few simple storage practices can go a long way in preserving hay quality. Wilcke and Saxe recommend the following:

Prioritize ventilation - Even under a roof, barns can trap heat and moisture. Ensure your barn has adequate ventilation via sidewall openings or ridge vents to help bales “breathe” and reduce internal condensation.
Let bales cure before stacking tightly - Avoid stacking bales too tightly right after baling. Let them sit loosely for a few days (especially if baled on the upper end of safe moisture levels) to allow any residual heat and moisture to dissipate.
Stack for airflow - Leave small gaps between stacks or rows to promote air movement. Avoid stacking directly against walls, which can trap moisture and limit drying. Palletize if possible to elevate bales and allow airflow underneath.
Use a well-drained base - Even indoors, moisture can wick up from the ground. Use crushed gravel, pallets, concrete or plastic sheeting under stacks to prevent ground moisture from reaching the bottom layer of bales.
Monitor temperature and moisture - Consider using a hay temperature probe or moisture tester, especially if storing large volumes. Spontaneous heating is a real risk if bales are put up too wet.
Keep bales off barn edges - Rain can blow in or wick through leaky walls. Store bales a few feet away from barn sides and doors to avoid contact with incoming moisture.
Rotate your inventory - Feed or sell the oldest hay first. Long-term storage, even in a barn, leads to nutrient losses over time.
Watch for pests - Barn-stored hay is susceptible to rodents, birds and other critters. Keep the barn clean, patch any holes and monitor for nesting or droppings.
Label hay by cuttings and quality - If you store multiple cuttings, mark stacks clearly. That way, you can feed accordingly, reserving the highest quality hay for animals with greater nutritional needs.

Hay takes time, effort and money to grow and harvest, so it’s worth taking simple, intentional steps to protect it. And as Wilcke and Saxe mention, you don’t need a fancy storage facility, just a few smart practices can make a big difference. In the end, preserving your hay’s quality means protecting your hard-earned investment and making sure every bale delivers the nutrition your animals need.

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All The Details: Inside John Deere’s New F8 and F9 Forage Harvesters

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 18:20:35 GMT

John Deere is rolling out two new forage harvesters for North American dairy producers and custom harvesting operations.

The brand new F8 and F9 Series feature three factory-installed operator cab options, a technology stack that will one day enable autonomous operation, and enhanced feed quality via an integrated inoculant dosing system.

How are F8 and F9 different?
The F8 Series (425PS to 645PS) is a narrow base model that takes the place of Deere’s 8000 Series forage harvester, while the F9 Series (700PS to 1020PS) replaces the 9000 Series. Within the F9 Series is the F9 1000, which is Deere’s largest forage harvest machine to date.

(Editor’s Note: “PS” stands for Pferdestärke, which is the German term for horsepower. PS to horsepower is not an apples-to-apples equal ratio. The F9 1000, for example, features 1020PS which equates to 1,006HP, according to the manufacturer.)

The F9 is available in two engine options:

John Deere 18X (no DEF required)
Liebherr V12 24L

It has five horsepower options, while the F8 comes with the JD14X engine and can be configured across six horsepower options.

The manufacturer last rolled out completely new forage harvesters in 2019.

How much will each new model cost?

The feed rolls on John Deere’s F8 and F9 forage harvesters have integrated metal detection to keep unwanted material out of your feed.

(Matthew J. Grassi)

John Deere is not sharing its pricing just yet, but the two new models are built at its Zweibrucken, Germany, factory. John Deere dealers will begin taking orders for the aggressively styled, technology-packed harvesters this fall, with final delivery in time for the 2026 forage harvesting season.

Deere representatives declined comment on what effect, if any, the still-developing U.S.and E.U. tariff situation could have on its launch plans.

Ahead of the launch, Farm Journal went to Madison, Wisc., to kick the tires and learn all about the new machines. The F8 and F9 harvesters we viewed and climbed into were the first finished production units off the factory line. Deere says several units will be field tested with U.S. customers ahead of the full fall launch.

“We’re really excited about the new cab and the technology we’ve added to these machines like central tire inflation, ground speed automation and the new kernel processing units,” says Bergen Nelson, go-to-market manager, combines and forage harvesters.

Here’s some of what we learned about the new forage harvesters:

(Matthew J. Grassi)

Cab Comforts: The same three operator cab options offered with Deere’s X and S Series combines — Select, Premium and Ultimate — are available on the F8 and F9 Series. A smoothly swiveling captain’s chair, as well as an all-new corner post display that shows real-time machine data, are among the additions. Operators who spend long hours in the cab will also appreciate integrated entertainment like SXM Radio and an optional mini fridge.

(Matthew J. Grassi )

Foundational Deere Tech Stack: Each new forage harvester in the series includes Deere’s baseline precision tech enablement stack — which consists of its G5 display, Starfire 7500 receiver and JDLink modem.

Central Tire Inflation System: A completely new feature (top left inset photo) within the G5 display allows the operator to adjust front tire PSI up or down from the cab.

John Deere Inoculant Dosing System 2.0

(Matthew J. Grassi)

Inoculant Dosing System 2.0: New on both the F8 and F9, a high-volume 85 gallon inoculant tank and integrated pump allow the user to accurately adjust silage inoculant dosage rates from the G5 display in the cab. The system is easy to pump and prime as well with the touch of a button located at the rear of the machine.

Ground Speed Automation: This cruise control-like option reads RPMs and throttles the harvester up or down based on crop conditions. For example, harvesting corn at higher moisture levels will increase power output, so the machine will automatically slow down to ensure it doesn’t plug up or do a sub-optimal job harvesting. This feature comes standard on all base models for both series and does not require a yearly subscription unlock or per-acre fee.

Pro Touch Harvest: Another new feature within the G5 display allows the operator to shift the machine from road transport mode to harvest mode in a single click. It can also be used to quickly engage AutoTrac and ground speed automation once the operator arrives at the edge of field.

This all-new XStream 305 Kernel Processing (KP) unit is built by Scherer in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

(Matthew J. Grassi)

New Kernal Processing (KP) Units: The new harvesters feature two completely redesigned KP units, the Ultimate 250 (also made in Germany) and the Scherer XStream 305, which is made in Sioux Falls, S.D. An integrated winch and internal rail mounting system makes switching the machine from corn forage to hay forage in the field quick and simple. The number signifies each KP unit’s roll diameter width in millimeters.

“Both KPs will go in both machines and have four different roll options depending on how aggressive the dairyman wants their end feed quality to be,” says Shane Campbell, product marketing manager, forage harvesters.

(Matthew J. Grassi)

Integrated Harvest Lab 3000: This on-demand constituent sensing module pulls over 4,000 samples per second with +/- 2% accuracy, and John Deere says it can save dairy operations time and money versus collecting and sending samples to a lab. The sensor tech (available as an add-on option) enables accurate measurement and documentation of dry matter, starch, protein, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber for both harvested forage and manure. The data can be stored, organized and shared via Deere’s Operations Center. Within Operations Center, users can take geo-referenced data and build out spatial starch content — as well as moisture and protein — maps for hybrid selection and fertility management. Because if you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it.

Active Fill Control 3.0: Using sensors and cameras on the grain spout, this tech feature automatically detects the trailer or grain cart next to the forage harvester and begins filling it with a preselected fill strategy. This reduces the number of times an operator has to adjust the spout manually and also lessens fatigue and neck strain, according to Deere.

(Matthew J. Grassi)

New Operating Modes: Several of the models within the F9 Series offer what Deere is calling its “Engine Power Plus” feature — which gives a sizeable horsepower boost when the machines senses it needs a little extra chopping power to the harvesting head. There is also an ECO mode that can be toggled on when the machines don’t need the extra torque.

Ease-Of-Access: Both models have side and rear panels that easily open to grant full access to the inner workings of the machines, making the new forage harvesters much easier to service and maintain without a lift or other heavy specialized equipment. The machine is setup so techs and mechanically-minded farmers will not have to climb underneath it to perform daily maintenance.

“At the end of the day, we know it’s all about the cow, and these machines will put out quality feed,” Nelson says. “We’ll have these out at the farm shows this summer, including Farm Progress Show, World Ag Expo, World Dairy Expo and the U.S. Custom Harvesters Convention.”

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Ag Meterologists Worry More Drought Lies Ahead For Spring

Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:14:24 GMT

As Eric Snodgrass looks six weeks out to the end of March, he doesn’t like the weather pattern he sees shaping up for spring planting season – more dry conditions.

Varying levels of mild to moderate drought have dogged much of the upper Midwest, West and Southwest since last fall, and the outlook is for more of the same, according to Snodgrass, a leading U.S. meteorologist.

Check out the soil moisture deficit currently in the upper Midwest and West. At the opposite extreme, a broad band of soil moisture shows up in blue across much of the Ohio Valley region.

(Eric Snodgrass)

“I’m concerned about the way the central United States and the western Corn Belt, in particular, are going to be dealing with the risk of drought building into spring,” Snodgrass told farmers attending the Top Producer Summit in Kansas City earlier this week.

History shows that drought tends to beget drought. In six of the past 10 years with a really dry fall, Snodgrass says the spring to follow was also dry.

The weekly U.S. Drought Monitor echoes his observations. The Monitor released Thursday (Feb. 20) shows drought is impacting 45% of corn production acres, 36% of soybean production acres, 40% of spring wheat and 20% of winter wheat acres, respectively.In addition – of particular concern to beef and dairy producers – 49% of the U.S. alfalfa hay production acres are also experiencing drought.

Arctic Air Is Contributing To Drought Conditions
Snodgrass spells out what usually happens in late winter to create the moisture farmers need at planting time in the Corn Belt.

As the jet stream moves across the Pacific Ocean, it typically splits and sweeps into the West Coast from two positions – one from the northern North Pacific Ocean and the other from the southern North Pacific Ocean, close to Hawaii. The two portions of the jet stream usually then scream across U.S. western mountain ranges, picking up moisture they then deposit in portions of the Corn Belt before moving on to the East Coast and exiting the U.S. in Maine.

This year, the portion of the jet stream that normally comes from Hawaii has veered from its usual course and possibly even stalled. One indicator of that happening, Snodgrass says, is a drop off in ocean temperatures in the Baja of California and the Gulf of Alaska. The result is dry, arctic air has been moving into portions of the U.S.

In years when the Gulf of Alaska is in a warming trend, U.S. crop yields tend to be higher. The opposite is true when the Gulf cools.

(Eric Snodgrass)

For some parts of the U.S. the cold, arctic air has brought snow along with it. But the snow holds little moisture that would help alleviate the frozen dry soils. “We have some deep snow in areas right now, but it’s only got maybe two-tenths of an inch of liquid in it,” Snodgrass explains.

That’s bad news for farmers who need a full profile of soil moisture going into spring and don’t have one.

“If I’m in Iowa, Minnesota, northern Illinois, the Dakotas, even parts of Nebraska and Missouri, I’m going, holy smokes, that arctic air has prevented any sort of meaningful precipitation coming back at this point of the year,” he says.
Similar concerns were voiced by Drew Lerner, founder and president of World Weather, Inc., during the Top Producer Summit.

“If we continue bringing these cold shots of air through North America, we will have a below-normal precipitation bias [for the western Corn Belt] as we go forward through spring planting season,” Lerner explained during the taping of the U.S. Farm Report.

This map shows what the precipitation could look like in March. But remember, Mother Nature is unpredictable. It’s certainly feasible she could change course and bring moisture to the states west and southwest of the Mississippi River.

(Eric Snodgrass)

That’s not the meteorologists’ expectation for the eastern Corn Belt and portions of the Southeast. Lerner and Snodgrass agree those areas are likely to have plenty of moisture going into spring planting.

More Weather Trouble Brewing For Summer
If the current cold conditions continue through March, which Lerner and Snodgrass anticipate will be the case, what will likely occur is a knee-jerk reaction in the atmosphere: a warming trend will start in late March or early April and build through late spring and into early summer.

“If we warm up quickly in the spring, which is a high possibility, we could end up falling behind the eight ball a little bit more on soil moisture,” Lerner says.

While some meteorologists point to this year’s La Niña as a cause of the continued move to dryer conditions, Snodgrass and Lerner say that’s not the case.

“La Niña will be gone by the time we get into mid-March,” Lerner predicts. “This La Niña hasn’t lasted long enough to really have a big footprint in the atmosphere. As we get into April, it’ll be pretty much a non-event.”

Keep An Eye On The Pacific Decadal Oscillation
Lerner and Snodgrass believe a negative phase of what scientists call the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) could be a primary contributor to ongoing drought and higher temperatures by April. The PDO is a long-term climate pattern that affects the temperature of the Pacific Ocean and can influence weather patterns across the globe.

While the PDO has not had what Lerner calls a “tremendous amount of impact” in past years in the U.S., it’s looking more influential for the 2025 growing season.

“I’m seeing some additional cooling off the West Coast of North America that may end up leading us into a greater ridge building with all the dryness that’s in the soil and that negative PDO,” Lerner says. “I’m not ready to go all the way over with [that prediction], but that’s where I’m headed.”

The Surprising Solution To Drought
If Mother Nature continues on her worrying course, Snodgrass says continued low temperatures in the Gulf of Alaska would be a signal in early summer for farmers.

“If we get into June and it’s cool there, that is telling me that the atmosphere is not moving. And if it doesn’t move, well, all of a sudden we could find ourselves in a situation in late June into July with more drought and excess heat,” Snodgrass says.

The North American Multi-Model Ensemble (NMME) is a seasonal forecasting system, showing this summer could be a dry one in portions of the West and upper Midwest and into Canada. However, summer is still months away, and Mother Nature could change course. However, being forewarned can help farmers plan ahead.

(Eric Snodgrass and NMME)

Another worrying sign he says to watch for is where the active spring weather pattern falls. If areas of Kansas and the Great Plains see an active tornado season, Snodgrass says that means the weather pattern is more favorable for rains to fall across the Corn Belt. But if tornado warnings blare across the Southeast, Snodgrass says that’s a signal drought could be a problem this summer.

There is a solution to the troubling weather patterns, he adds, one most farmers won’t welcome – a big, wet snow on the Northern Plains.

“The No. 1 thing I’m praying for right now is an April 4 blizzard. I want a foot of snow,” Snodgrass told farmers at Top Producer Summit, many of whom laughed.

Snodgrass laughed, too, and added, “You’ll hate me for about a week, and then love me through the rest of May.”

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Data Shows Larger Hay Supply and Lower Hay Prices

Wed, 29 Jan 2025 15:20:52 GMT

Larger May 1 stocks and increased year over year hay production led to larger hay supplies in 2024 (Figure 1). Total hay production in 2024 was up 3.3 percent year over year and combined with May 1 hay stocks up 46.6 percent over 2023 levels to increase the total hay supply by 7.9 percent compared to year earlier levels. The total hay supply was 1.7 percent below the ten-year average supply from 2014-2023.

(Peel)

Total hay production includes total alfalfa hay production, almost unchanged from 2023 levels and 8.4 percent below the ten-year average as well as total other hay production, up 5.5 percent year over year and 0.6 percent above the 2014-2023 average.

Coming into winter 2024/2025, Dec. 1 hay stocks were up 6.3 percent year over year, though still down 3.2 percent from the ten-year average. Hay supplies have recovered from the drought-reduced levels of 2022-2023 (Figure 1) and, as a result, hay prices have dropped from record levels (Figure 2).

(Peel)

Table 1 shows the top ten state rankings for December 1 Stocks; All Hay Production: Alfalfa Hay Production and Other Hay Production and highlights the considerable regional variation in hay production and stocks. Texas is the largest hay producer, mostly other hay, with production and Dec. 1 stocks well above average.

Alfalfa hay production was down compared to the ten-year average in some important dairy production states (California and Idaho) as well as in some mostly beef cow states (Montana and South Dakota) that depend on alfalfa hay (Table 1).

(Peel)

In many states, increased hay supplies are providing more management flexibility for cattle producers and lower hay costs are reducing annual cost of production somewhat. However, among major beef cow states, Florida, Kansas, Montana, and North Dakota, 2024 Dec. 1 hay stocks are down year over year and below the ten-year average.

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2024 World Forage Analysis Superbowl Winners

Thu, 05 Dec 2024 14:00:00 GMT

The 2024 World Forage Analysis Superbowl marked the 40^th anniversary of the contest rewarding the quest to produce quality forages. The annual event is held in conjunction with World Dairy Expo^® in Madison, Wis. in October.

Out of 207 entries in this year’s competition, Meadow Brook Dairy Farms of Manitowoc, Wis. was named the Grand Champion Forage Producer, capturing the top honors with their BMR Corn Silage entry. They were presented $2,500 from Legacy Seeds.

The Grand Champion First-Time Entrant award of $2,000, sponsored by New Holland, went to Mulhern Dairy of Fountain, Minn. for their Standard Corn Silage entry.

Fisher Dairy of Marshall, Ind. won the Quality Counts Corn Silage Award, sponsored by Silostop, for their BMR Corn Silage entry. Top honors in Quality Counts Hay/Haylage went to Andy Schmitt of Fort Atkinson, Iowa. His award was sponsored by Agri-King.

Division winners included:

Grand Champion Baleage – Nuttleman Farms, Bangor, Wis.
Grand Champion Commercial Hay – Hardrock Farms, Wheatland, Wyo.
Grand Champion Dairy Hay – Holst Farms, Lake City, Minn.
Grand Champion Grass Hay – Ciolkosz Dairy, Thorp, Wis.
Grand Champion Alfalfa Haylage – Andy Schmitt, Fort Atkinson, Iowa
Grand Champion Mixed/Grass Haylage – Sand Creek Dairy, Hastings, Mich.
Grand Champion Standard Corn Silage – Watrin Farms Inc., Sandstone, Minn.
Grand Champion BMR Corn Silage – Horsens Homestead, Cecil, Wis.

Sponsors of the 2024 World Forage Analysis Superbowl were led by Platinum Sponsor, Brevant seeds. Other supporters included division sponsors, Scherer Inc., Agri-King, Inc., QLF Agronomy, Ag-Bag by RCI, Lallemand Animal Nutrition, Barenbrug USA, and CROPLAN. Additional funds were provided by ByronPRO, Trinamix, La Crosse Seed and ForageMate.

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Alfalfa Weevils Are Having a “Hayday”

Wed, 15 May 2024 19:35:19 GMT

The extremely mild winter of 2023-24 created a safe haven for a common pest in northern climates that is now enjoying a feeding frenzy in alfalfa fields.

The alfalfa weevil is largely a problem before first cutting, according to Rory Lewandowski of Ohio State University Extension. “Depending on the amount of larval insects that are present, alfalfa weevils can really shred plants and cut back on your yields,” he stated.

Because alfalfa weevils over-winter above ground, a higher-than-normal population survived the record-warm winter, ready to feast on new plant growth. According to an Integrated Crop Management bulletin from Iowa State University, entomologists believe alfalfa weevils have been showing up earlier in recent years because they break dormancy in the mild weather in the fall and lay eggs that hatch earlier in the spring.

“This leads to a prolonged feeding period, which might extend past the first cutting of alfalfa,” noted Iowa State Extension education specialist and entomologist Ashley Dean.

Weekly scouting of first-cutting alfalfa is advised, especially because of this season’s ideal conditions for alfalfa weevil. Lewandowski said the larvae – which cause the most plant damage – are lime green in color, with jet-black heads and a signature white stripe down their backs.

The larvae feed on the top of the plant, typically producing a pinhole pattern in alfalfa leaves. This top-down feeding pattern contrasts with the bottom-up feeding pattern of the other major early crop alfalfa pest, the clover leaf weevil. The clover leaf weevil also has a lighter, brownish-colored head.

To scout for alfalfa weevils, Lewandowski advised sampling plants from 4-5 areas every 25 acres, as demonstrated in this video . Included is a chart of action thresholds according to plant growth stage and degree of larval evidence.

Lewandowski said parasitic wasps and fungal pathogens can help control alfalfa weevils. But if scouting reveals damage and larval presence that exceeds thresholds, the situation may call for a rescue insecticide treatment or early harvest.

“Early harvest is the most economical form of control,” he advised. “But if you’re close to or over threshold levels, be sure to check 4-5 days after harvest for regrowth because they can also feed on new crown buds.”

In this video , Bryan Jensen with the Integrated Pest Management program at the University of Wisconsin discusses alfalfa weevil scouting after first cutting. Jensen said harvest often takes care of alfalfa weevil problems, but the larvae can survive if the weather turns cool and wet immediately after the first cutting is taken.

A delay in green-up may mean alfalfa weevils are still present. But regrowth also may be slowed because you had to take the first cutting early, so time may be the only “rescue treatment” necessary. “Before you spray, you want to make sure alfalfa weevils are in the field, and are the cause of that delay in green-up,” he suggested.

If you had a problem with alfalfa weevils early in the season, Jensen advised also scouting the regrowth again, just as you did the first crop. He said by the time the regrowth is about 8-10 inches tall, the larvae will pupate, produce silver-colored, silken cocoons that are easily identified on plants or on the ground among crop residue. “That’s a sign that you can use to determine that weevils are about done feeding,” stated Jensen.

For more on alfalfa, read:

Hay, are Those Numbers Correct?

Wed, 17 Apr 2024 20:31:36 GMT

Hay is a high-dollar dairy investment, so it’s important to assess quality to make sure you get what you’ve paid for, and that your rations are formulated with accurate numbers.

Dr. Kevin Hoogendoorn, Hawarden, Iowa veterinarian and found of the ZISK App , said disparity in hay quality test results between seller and buyer is a common problem. Often, “the grower or hay broker will email their lab test results to the dairyman,” he explained. “And then the nutritionist shows up and samples the same lot when it arrives on the farm. Usually, two different labs are being used to evaluate the samples.”

As an example, Hoogendoorn said he works with one dairy that buys hay from a broker who regularly reports a Relative Feed Quality (RFQ) score of 180, while samples after delivery to the farm typically test closer to 140. “I rely on the on-farm numbers, because I have years of experience with the forage lab I use, and I know how their reports relate to cow performance,” stated Hoogendoorn.

To close the gap between the selling and receiving end, Hoogendoorn advised:

Be vigilant about consistently sampling every load of purchased hay when it arrives.
Only look at RFQ. Relative forage value (RFV) does not include a test of how well the cow can digest the fiber, and therefore doesn’t relate to cow performance as well as RFQ.
Only accept samples from reputable forage labs upon which you both agree.
Agree before making the purchase whether you are going to rely on the seller’s number’s, nutritionist’s sample, or an average of the two.
If there is a large difference between samples, have the hay broker and nutritionist meet at the dairy, with each sampling 8 bales of hay and submitting the samples to their respective labs.
MOST IMPORTANLY – Watch the cows. Their performance will tell you whether your samples were accurate or not.

“Inaccurate numbers cost you money and hold your cows back from maximum production,” he declared.

For more on nutrition, read:

Management, Planning Key to Forage Quality and Production

Mon, 05 Jun 2023 15:53:18 GMT

In every aspect of dairy farming, details matter. As producers are adding more crop and grass options to their forage mix, the details matter even more to produce the quantity and quality of feed needed for a dairy operation

Matthew Oehmichen, part owner of Short Lane Ag Supply, and John Goeser, director of nutritional research and innovation with Rock River Lab, Inc. have been regular guests on The Dairy Signal® presented by Professional Dairy Producers (PDPW), leading interactive conversations with dairy producers about making the most of their forage crops and rations and effectively using data to make the best nutrition and ration decisions.

Both regularly provide recommendations as growers make plans for forage and silage crops for upcoming growing seasons and beyond.

A prevalent trend is addingcool-season grasses to alfalfa with new seedings to reduce winter-killed hay fields, according to Oehmichen.

“In Wisconsin, a lot of alfalfa got snuffed out from ice and slow thaw in spring 2023, setting back a lot of the hay fields that looked great going into the 2022 winter months,” he said. “Having a good concentration of high-quality grass like orchardgrass, tall fescue, meadow fescue or perennial ryegrass will help alfalfa stands persist with the same or enhanced quality.”

Goeser pointed out that management is increasingly important with grasses and winter forages.

“When grass converts from vegetative to heading out in the reproductive state, the quality drops quickly,” said Goeser “Grasses aren’t nearly as forgiving as alfalfa is with quality in advancing maturity.

Managing and micro-managing fertility with forage crops is also key, said Oehmichen. Potassium should not be overlooked in forage crops, including corn silage, grass hay and alfalfa.

“Potassium is linked to plant tissue, the cellular-wall development that influences tissue growth and its ability to withstand infections and disease,” said Oehmichen. “When you take a cutting, you’re not just taking the plant, but all the nutrients it took from the field, especially potassium. Without nutrient planning and/or skipping fertilizer applications, you can short your forage in both the near and long term.”

Adding micronutrients, such as sulfur, calcium and boron to fertility management also can give growers a boost for relatively low cost. For example, sulfur influences chlorophyll and photosynthesis, processing proteins and even nodulation in legumes like soybeans, alfalfa and clover, and comes in a variety of products.

“Having applications of micronutrients added to liquid, foliar or dry fertilizer formulations can elevate your plants’ processes and development without a lot of hassle,” Oehmichen said.

Ensuring that all members of your dairy’s team are focused on the productivity and quality of forage crops is also key.

“With tighter margins, plant health and productivity are even more important to squeeze out every bit of digestible energy from each acre,” said Goeser. “Team up with your agronomist, nutritionist and other advisors and encourage them to share resources and data and work together to help you make the best decisions for your acres and your operation.”

For more on forage production, read:

Follow These Steps When Fertilizing Perennial Forages

Mon, 12 Sep 2022 16:49:02 GMT

With fall just around the corner, now is the time to think about applying fertilizer to perennial forages like alfalfa, clover and timothy. According to Dr. Mark Sulc, professor and extension forage specialist, and Greg LaBarge, agronomic field specialist, both from Ohio State University, September is a prime time to prep perennial forage soil.

“Soils are usually firm in September, and autumn topdressing provides needed nutrients for good winter survival of the forage stand and vigorous regrowth the following spring,” the duo state. “Hay crops will remove about 50 lb. of K2O and 12 lb. of P2O5 per ton of dry hay harvested. Adequate amounts of soil P and K are important for the productivity and persistence of forage stands. However, nutrient over-application harms the environment and can harm animals fed those forages.”

Before heading to the fields, there are a few steps farmers should follow. These include:

Have recent soil tests available to help guide you in what nutrients to apply and how much.
If you are applying high rates of phosphorus or potassium, consider splitting applications. There is an advantage to splitting the application, with half applied this autumn and the remainder applied next spring after the first cutting when soils are firm.
Don’t over apply P and K. According to the extension agents, many dairy farms have high levels of soil P, making the expense of fertilizer P unnecessary. When soil test P exceeds the agronomic level of 50 ppm, there is an increased potential for P losses into streams and lakes. Applying too much K will result in luxury consumption by the forage plants, leading to excessive levels of K in the forage that can cause animal health problems.
Apply at the right rate. Your soil test should give you indicators as to what rate you should apply fertilizer on different fields. For help determining what rate to apply, check out this free tool.

For more on forages, read:

Forage Myths Are Costly: Forage Quality Impacts Your Bottom Line

Thu, 19 May 2022 15:28:42 GMT

Myth #1:

My feed company tests my silage for its nutrient content. However, I don’t feel that it pays to test my hay since I have many different cuttings and I have it fed out before the analysis comes back from the lab.

Truth about Myth #1:

Hay quality directly impacts the amount of milk the milking herd will produce and the amount of grain which needs to be fed. This is true no matter if you feed as little as 5 lbs of hay or if you feed over 10 lbs of hay per cow. To determine the quality of your hay and determine how much grain needs to be fed, the hay must be tested to determine its nutrient content. Also, forage testing allows you to allocate your hay to the group of cattle on your farm which can best use that quality of hay. The best hay needs to be fed to calves from 2 to 4 months of age and the milking herd especially when the largest percentage of the cows are in early lactation.

All of your hay needs to be sampled by the end of the final fall harvest. This allows you to not only have the samples back before the hay is fed but also to develop a plan on how to best use the hay you have. It is best to sample each field and cutting separately. However, samples can be combined if they are from similar types of hay crops and the same cuttings if they were not rained on to minimize the number of samples sent to a lab. The key is to sample at least 20 bales to get a representative sample.

Myth #2:

My cows just need some fiber to chew on so I’ll feed them some rough hay.

Truth about Myth #2:

Rough hay is lower in energy and protein than dairy quality hay. By feeding this quality of hay, the cows will fill up on poorer quality hay which will decrease the amount of nutrients they receive over the day. Result- the cows, especially early lactation cows will decrease their milk production may be as much as 2 lbs of milk for every 5 lbs of rough hay they eat.

Myth #3:

I test the hay I feed my milking cows but I don’t see the need to test the hay I feed to my bred heifers and dry cows.

Truth about Myth #3:

In order to provide heifers and dry cows with the proper nutrition, forages must be tested and these results used to balance rations. First, the calf growing inside the cow or heifer gets the nutrients it needs at the expense of the cow or heifer. Thus, when heifers or dry cows are not provided the proper nutrition, the cow suffers not the calf growing inside of her. Secondly, we need to remember that the last two months before a heifer or cow calves sets the stage for how well she will milk this lactation. Providing inadequate amounts of energy, protein, minerals or vitamins results in less milk over the upcoming lactation. Early lactation cows make the most profit for their owners and nutrition before calving affects production and reproductive performance during early lactation. Thus, underfeeding protein or energy hurts the cow’s future production and profitability and does not decrease the size of the calf at birth.

Myth #4:

I had my hay tested and it contained 12% crude protein.

Truth about Myth #4:

For both beef and dairy cattle, sheep, and goats, energy is often times the nutrient which limits optimum performance not protein. Thus, when reviewing your forage analysis, the energy content should be reviewed first before the protein content. The energy content of your forage is not determined directly in the laboratory. Over the years, nutritionists have learned that the lower the fiber content (acid detergent fiber or ADF) of the plant, the higher the digestibility which in turn supplies the cow with more energy. When looking at your forage analysis, always evaluate the nutrients on a dry matter basis (with all the water removed). Thus, the most important number to review on a forage analysis is the ADF or NDF content of a forage on a dry matter basis not crude protein.

Make the Most Out of Alfalfa’s First Cutting

Thu, 12 May 2022 17:30:00 GMT

First cutting is the most important and critical cutting of the alfalfa growing season. A late start of this growing season will determine multiple things during this year’s production. It is important to know that the success of the entire production will be based on determining a proper date to cut for the highest yield and quality.

As a rule of thumb, forage quality varies with the environment and cutting management. If you are forced to delay the first cutting due to environmental conditions (rain or even drought), keep in mind that this could have negative consequences with a slower regrowth and perhaps a reduction in future yield production.

First cutting tends to have low quality if it is cut late during the growing season. Generally, during the pre-bloom or bud stage the stems are highly digestible with high-quality forage. Second and third cuttings are still very important for production. However if there is a need to wait to harvest beyond the bud stage then the more the quality would suffer because of lower proportion of the leaf and stem ratio.

Below are some guidelines for plant height and harvest maturity in alfalfa. Producers should take these into consideration for future management and cutting strategies.

Table 1. Plant height and harvest maturity in alfalfa.

Cutting Schedule	Plant Height (inches)	Maturity Stage
First Cutting	32	Late vegetative to early bud
Second Cutting	23	Late bud to early flower
Third Cutting	19	Early to late flower
Fourth Cutting	16	Late flower

Source: Professor Marisol Berti; North Dakota State University for Midwest Forage Association (Forage Focus; May 2018).

Other Rules of Thumb

Don’t cut alfalfa too early, before floral bud development; give it time to accumulate enough reserves to grow an excellent crop for a second harvest. Harvesting too early and too often will reduce plant strength.

Typically, mid-bud to late-bud stage is when dairy producers will harvest top-quality alfalfa. However, beef cattle producers can stretch into early flower. There may be a slight loss in quality, but yield will be higher.

When harvesting, lay the crop in a windrow to wilt to the desired moisture content. The length of time wilting requires depends on the temperature, humidity, solar radiation, wetness of the ground and wind speed.

To gauge the moisture level of alfalfa laid in a windrow, it is recommended to go out into the field with your forage harvester, chopping a representative sample and collecting an amount in your hand. Squeeze your hand into a fist. If moisture oozes out of your hand, the forage is too wet to make into silage. If you squeeze and open and the ball has a slow release, then it’s close to an ideal moisture content. If you open your hand and that ball immediately falls apart, then the moisture content is too dry.

Hay Prices Could Increase Significantly

Wed, 20 Apr 2022 15:53:06 GMT

There is a strong correlation between corn prices and milk prices. In one of my previous articles, I wrote about the correlation and overlayed corn and milk price to show how closely these markets are related. It stands to reason that there is a strong correlation because corn is the main part of a dairy ration. As the price of corn increases, farmers have choices to make. They can feed less corn supplementing it with something else that might be less expensive and still provide the required nutrition for milk production. However, the replacement is generally not as good resulting in reduced, but acceptable milk production. Another choice is to cull cows to reduce the amount of corn being feed to lower producing animals thereby increasing efficiency and profitability while feeding the usual amount of corn. Another choice is to sell the cows and exit the dairy business if the farm cannot continue under current market conditions. Any of these choices may reduce overall milk production and tighten supply. This is what has been taking place in the market since last fall.

However, when we look at income over feed, it remains positive as milk price has increased keeping pace with increasing corn, soybean meal and premium/supreme hay prices. These are the prices used in calculating income over feed for the Dairy Margin Coverage program. I realize that feed prices can be significantly higher in some areas of the country because of the difference in cash prices for these commodities due to the need to rail or truck corn and soybean meal into deficit areas as well the cost of available dairy quality hay. But for the purpose of comparison, we use the average prices on the monthly Agricultural Prices report. The most recent income over feed price was $10.98, down from $11.54 in January. Both of these were the highest income over feed since November 2020 and indicates income over feed is historically good.

One component of income over feed is hay. Premium/supreme hay price is used in the calculation currently as it is more reflective of dairy quality hay. A blend of alfalfa hay and premium/supreme hay was used from January 2019 through December 2019. Prior to that the alfalfa hay price was used to calculate income over feed. The February alfalfa hay price was $214.00 per ton and not much different than it was in 2014 when we had five months of alfalfa price over $200.00 per ton and record high milk prices. Actually, current alfalfa hay prices are not too much higher than the past few years. The greater price change took place in premium/supreme quality hay. This price first began to be calculated in January 2019 with the first two year not showing a great deal of price fluctuation. However, that changed in 2021 as the drought had more of an impact on areas of the country affecting hay production and increased demand for hay resulting in significantly higher prices as seen in the chart below.

All hay stocks at the end of last year reached a ten-year low. The current drought monitor map indicates that it may not get any better unless the weather pattern changes. This could push hay prices and especially dairy quality hay prices significantly higher reducing income over feed cost.

Not only is income over feed a concern this year, but so are escalating costs for all other aspects for the dairy farm. Recent income over feed prices may indicate profitability in themselves, but other costs have increased cost of production substantially. What may look good on the Agricultural Prices report released at the end of the month does not mean it is profitable.

If just doing nothing is your marketing plan this year or any year, could result in many sleepless nights. Strategies need to be implemented to protect prices in any way possible. Feel free to call us if you need any help.

Robin Schmahl is a commodity broker with AgDairy, the dairy division of John Stewart & Associates Inc. (JSA). JSA is a full-service commodity brokerage firm based out of St. Joseph, MO. Robin’s office is located in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. Robin may be reached at 877-256-3253 or through the website www.agdairy.com .

The thoughts expressed and the basic data from which they are drawn are believed to be reliable but cannot be guaranteed. Any opinions expressed herein are subject to change without notice. Hypothetical or simulated performance results have certain inherent limitations. Simulated results do not represent actual trading. Simulated trading programs are subject to the benefit of hindsight. No representation is being made that any account will or is likely to achieve profits or losses similar to those shown. There is risk of loss in trading commodity futures and options on futures. It may not be suitable for everyone. This material has been prepared by an employee or agent of JSA and is in the nature of a solicitation. By accepting this communication, you acknowledge and agree that you are not, and will not rely solely on this communication for making trading decisions.

Can Alfalfa Help Save the Planet?

Tue, 21 Dec 2021 13:00:00 GMT

Alfalfa is the fourth most widely grown crop in the United States, and a primary livestock feed source.

The estimated value of the domestic alfalfa grown annually is $11.7 billion from the 26 million acres of the crop grown each year. It is a highly nutritive feedstuff, typically offering 15-22% crude protein and significant amounts of 10 different vitamins. In addition to livestock and poultry, aquaculture has recently embraced alfalfa’s high nutrient content as a new source of fish food.

But USDA researchers say alfalfa’s greatest importance may not be the exceptional nutrition it provides, but its importance to the environment. Scientists at the Agricultural Research Service’s (ARS) Northern Great Plains Research Laboratory in Mandan, ND, have been studying the effects of alfalfa on carbon balance.

The multi-year study revealed that hayed alfalfa is more efficient than perennial grasses in taking up carbon under variable growing conditions.

“This attribute is important for producers, as it shows alfalfa can be a stable source of forage when conditions get tough,” said Mark Liebig, research soil scientist at the ARS lab. “The study also showed that alfalfa can limit the amount of carbon lost from cropland when included in rotation, so that’s good for the environment.”

The research team found alfalfa logged consistently higher levels of carbon flux compared to grassland. Carbon flux is the exchange of carbon between one place and another – in this case, between the atmosphere and either an alfalfa field or grass pasture.

“The greater carbon fluxes in the alfalfa field equated to more carbon being taken up from the atmosphere, essentially acting as a sink for carbon dioxide,” Liebig explained. “From a climate mitigation standpoint, that’s a good thing.”

New York Farm Wins 2021 World Forage Analysis Superbowl

Tue, 19 Oct 2021 12:00:00 GMT

Herrington Farms, Inc. of Troy, NY was named the overall winner of the 2021 World Forage Analysis Superbowl at the 2021 World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wis.

The Herrington family won the competition with their BMR corn silage. They received a grand prize of $2,500 from Kemin Animal Nutrition & Health.

Champion First-time Entry in the competition was Marty Farms of Sterling, Ohio, earning them a $2,000 prize sponsored by New Holland.

Two Quality Counts Award winners also were selected – one for corn silage and one for hay/haylage. The corn silage award, sponsored by Silostop, was presented to Kensinger Farms, Martinsburg, Pa. Legacy Farms of Shell Lake, Wis., won the hay/haylage award, which was presented by CROPLAN by WinField.

Grand Champion division winners included:

Baleage – Jenks Jerseys, Marathon, Wis. Sponsored by Agri-King, Inc.
Commercial Hay – Hardrock Farms Inc., Wheatland, Wyo. Sponsored by NEXGROW Alfalfa
Dairy Hay – Olson Farms, Lena, Wis. Sponsored by W-L Research
Grass Hay – Cozy Nook Farm, Waukesha, Wis. Sponsored by Barenbrug USA
Alfalfa Haylage – Todd Mark, Elmwood, Wis. Sponsored by Ag-Bag by RCI
Mixed/Grass Haylage – Opportunity Acres, Lena, Wis. Sponsored by Lallemand Animal Nutrition
Standard Corn Silage – Egan Family Dairy, Omro, Wis. Sponsored by Scherer Inc.
BMR Corn Silage – Rothlisberger Dairy, Upper Sandusky, Ohio. Sponsored by Brevant Seeds

The competition encompassed a total of 343 entries, with combined overall and top-5 division winners representing eight states.

Sponsors of the 2021 World Forage Analysis Superbowl included Platinum Sponsor – Brevant Seeds; Division Sponsors – Ag-Bag by RCI; Agri-King, Inc.; Barenbrug USA; Lallemand Animal Nutrition; NEXGROW Alfalfa; Scherer Inc. and W-L Research; and additional supporters – Micro Technologies; Passion Ag, Inc.; and Provimi.

Double Crop Forage Options

Thu, 24 Jun 2021 12:00:00 GMT

With much of the country experiencing a forage shortage, there is still a good opportunity to build forage inventories by double cropping this year. In the northern half of the country there will be millions of acres coming open with wheat and vegetable harvest. Farther south there is a good opportunity to grow good feed following corn silage or sorghum.

Deciding what forage to grow can be challenging because there are so many options. Generally, I start by asking my clients 4 questions:

1. What quality of forage are you targeting?

This is always a good question to start with because the worst thing we can do is grow lots of forage that doesn’t fit our nutritional goals. If this will be fed to lactating cows at a high inclusion rate the species, we select will be much different then if we are needing a fiber source for heifer diets. I once had a new client who brought me in because they had just grown 40k tons of a non-BMR sorghum and their nutritionist wouldn’t feed it. This could have been easily been avoided by a discussion prior to planting.

For lactating cows, I usually am picking from a cool season pool of Annual/Italian rye grass, Fall forage oats, Forage Barley, hybrid brassicas and legumes, or a warm season pool of PPS BMR sorghum sudan, BMR millet, cow peas and soybeans or a combination of the above.

2. How many days until an expected frost?

Warm season crops should be planted at least 60 days before your expected first frost. Even if you haven’t froze, GDU accumulation slows rapidly towards fall and it will be hard to maximize the fall forage crop.

Cool season mixes should be planted 30-45 days before the first frost. If they are planted too early the heat will diminish growth and will push small grains to go reproductive prematurely. The goal is to time up cooling days with increased maturity. This will extend the days of forage production and increase quality.

3. Do you want the crop to over-winter?

The beauty of many fall forage mixes is that we can get multiple cuttings between the fall and early spring if we design and mange them correctly. By combining forages that over-winter like rye grass, clover and winter triticale with other forages like oats and kale, we can harvest a great cutting in the fall and another cutting or 2 the following spring. This reduces planting costs and provides ground cover. Many of my farms do not want things to over winter. They may be sub-renting wheat ground from cash-croppers who want a clean field in the spring. In those cases we stay with forages that are sure to winter-kill.

4. Do you value a legume for cover-crop purposes?

Many grain farmers follow their cash crop with a cover-crop to lower fertilizer expense and to increase soil health. Some of my livestock farmers have reached agreements that benefit both parties. For example, a dairy farmer I work with just rented 800 acres of wheat ground from a grain farmer. He agreed to spend $70 on fertilizer so it didn’t deplete the soil, plant clover with the forage mix so the grain farmer got a free cover-crop and to give the grain farmer $25 an acre for use of the ground. I expect this dairy farmer will be able to grow 2-4 tons dry matter of good feed for a very reasonable price on this ground.

Cocktail Mixes

I have mainly been using 3 different cocktail mixes on farms around the country. The most popular mix is a combination of BMR sorghum sudan, Italian Rye Grass and legumes. This mix can be planted after wheat in the upper Midwest and after corn silage in the southern Midwest. It will give a good cutting in the fall and provide a winter cover with the potential for another big cut in the spring.

We have also been planting Oats, winter triticale, Red clover and annual rye grass approx. 30-45 days before frost. This also will give us a fall cut and a spring cut.

For a warm season mix that winter-kills I have been planting BMR Photo-period sensitive Sorghum sudan, BMR pearl millet and cow peas. We can plant this after corn silage in the south and get a big cutting or after wheat or vegetables in the north.

As land values increase the need for increased yields keeps growing. One way to accomplish this is to make sure we are utilizing every growing day of the year by utilizing the right forages in a double-crop system.

Take a Better Hay Sample with These 8 Tips

Thu, 20 May 2021 15:08:25 GMT

The sweet smell of fresh cut hay is in the air as dairy producers work to restock their forage inventories for the year. As feed prices continue to soar, producers are leaning on homegrown forages now more than ever to help feed their cattle.

According to University of Kentucky extension, knowing the nutritional quality of forage and hay is an integral part of a profitable and efficient dairy operation. Accurate estimation of forage quality starts with obtaining a representative sample of the forage to be fed. Therefore, proper sampling techniques are critical.

Whether your sampling square bales, round bales or baleage, it’s important to keep these eight tips in mind in order to get accurate quality predictions.

• Always collect hay samples by coring hay bales with a sampling probe designed for hay.

• Always sample hay in lots. A lot con sists of a harvest-field combination. Collect 20 cores per hay lot.

• Delay sampling for dry hay stored inside for three to four weeks after harvest.

• Delay sampling for hay stored out side until three to four weeks prior to feeding.

• Core square bales from the end. Core round bales from the side.

• Delay sampling baleage for four to six weeks after baling to allow fermentation to finish.

• Refrigerate baleage samples prior to shipping.

• Always submit entire samples. Subdividing samples can result in altered lab results.

Forage Quality in Today’s Markets

Thu, 22 Apr 2021 15:21:03 GMT

How many times have you seen the words “Bitcoin”, “GameStop”, or “AMC” in the news this year? Likely a lot. These stocks and investments saw crazy price swings and attracted a lot of attention. However, if you were to ask your financial advisor over this time period, I doubt they were encouraging you to spend your life savings in Bitcoin. They likely encouraged you to stay the course, diversify the portfolio, and buy and hold. Price volatility should not cause you to change your overall strategy.

This holds true for how we should approach our forage quality in today’s markets. The large increases and changes in corn, soybean, and other feed prices may have some producers looking to alter their cropping plans. Even with expensive commodities, the basics of forage quality should remain the same. What should change, is the emphasis and energy we put towards achieving high quality forage.

Utilizing quality, home-grown forages is imperative to low-cost lactating rations, especially during time of high commodity prices. This has been demonstrated many times but let us compare two rations with different quality haylage and compare spring 2020 prices to spring 2021 prices (Table 1).

To start, lets compare the ration formulation with the two different haylage qualities. With high quality forages, the percent forage of the ration can reach over 60% of the ration dry matter. As haylage quality drops, to maintain the same level of nutrient available to the cow, we must substitute haylage with more nutrient dense and digestible feedstuff. In this example, we had to decrease haylage and increase the amount of corn gluten feed, canola, and other proteins.

As for cost, because we replaced forage with purchased commodities, the lower quality haylage rations had lower home-grown forage costs and higher purchased feed costs. When we compare ration costs within year, the rations with higher quality haylage are cheaper. However, the difference between low and high quality forage ration costs is much larger in 2021 than 2020. In 2021, the difference between rations was $0.16 per head per day and on $0.01 in 2020. This is because the substitutes that are used to replace lower quality haylage are much more expensive this year. From a cash standpoint, it also favorable to lower purchased feed costs and focus on creating a larger return on your investment in equipment, land, labor and energy by harvesting quality forage.

Do not bet the farm on speculative options to lower feed cost. In 2021, double-down on forage quality. Stick to the foundations, cut on time, chop at the right moisture, chop at the right length, pack hard, and seal tight.

	2021 Prices*		2020 Prices**
	High Quality (170 RFQ)	Low Quality (130 RFQ)	High Quality (170 RFQ)	Low Quality (130 RFQ)
Haylage	11.0	6.0	11.0	6.0
Corn Silage	25.0	25.0	25.0	25.0
Corn Grain	10.0	10.0	10.0	10.0
Corn Gluten Feed	4.0	6.5	4.0	6.5
Canola	4.0	5.0	4.0	5.0
Protein/Min Mix	6.0	7.5	6.0	7.5
Prices
Home-Grown Forage	$2.74	$1.92	$2.49	$1.71
Purchased	$4.38	$5.36	$3.57	$4.36
Total	$7.12	$7.28	$6.06	$6.07

* Haylage 170 RFQ ($95/ton), Haylage 130 RFQ ($70/ton), Corn Silage ($40/ton), Corn Grain ($204/ton), Corn Gluten Feed ($225/ton),

** Haylage 170 RFQ ($90/ton), Haylage 130 RFQ ($65/ton), Corn Silage ($30/ton), Corn Grain ($158/ton), Canola ($273/ton), Corn Gluten Feed ($165/ton), Protein/Mineral Mix ($533/ton)

The Benefits of Diverse Monocultures

Thu, 18 Feb 2021 21:28:56 GMT

The benefits of diverse plant species are well documented — yet sometimes diverse mixes can be difficult to manage due to differences in palatability and maturity dates. That is especially true in diverse perennial stands.

Which leads me to this question: What if we could get some of the same synergistic benefits we see with diverse species mixes without the accompanying challenges?

I have been intrigued by the possibilities of diverse monocultures — combining different varieties of the same species to accomplish some of the same soil health and productivity benefits as diverse species mixes.

I’ve spent a lot of time over that past few years researching the phenomenon, and the results are very exciting. I have started using these mixes on our farms as well as clients’ farms.

The Research …

My first experience with such results was by chance in an alfalfa test plot planted seven years ago. The plot contained nine different varieties of alfalfa. After I finished planting, I mixed all the remaining seed together and planted another plot at the same seeding rate.

This plot significantly outyielded the others, which really spiked my interest in trying to understand why it worked and to see which varieties would provide the best synergistic responses.

I started by planting two variety grids, with one set of plots running east and west at a half rate, and another set across them going north and south. The result is a grid with hundreds of two-way mixes. The outside borders of the plots are monocultures, thus allowing for yield comparisons between monocultures and mixes.

For instance, if row F is variety #2 and row 16 is variety #6, then block F16 is half #2 and half #6. We add the yields of blocks F-1 and 16-1, divide by two and compare it to the yield of block F16.

We have done two of these plots the past five years, working with ladino clover, red clover, alfalfa and several cool-season grasses and annuals. The diverse monoculture often outyields the true monoculture. And sometimes the results are amazing.

Some mixes are consistently providing 15% yield increases. That might not seem like a lot, but it’s a huge deal when you consider most breeding programs expect a 2% rate of improvement per generation.

So just by just figuring out which varieties complement each other, we can move productivity ahead by 15 or 20 years — immediately.

The Results...

Why is this happening? With different varieties providing layering both above and below ground we have been able to maximize root development and photosynthesis. While a single variety might dominate in specific areas in fields with variable soils, using different varieties boosts yields in those areas that would struggle with a true monoculture.

We have discovered the key to getting a synergistic response within species is to look for as much diversity as possible. For instance, combining a branch-root alfalfa and a tap root variety is magic. Add a creeping root variety to these two? Possibly even better.

With red clover, we are combining varieties that have better spring growth with varieties that have more fall growth. By merging diverse productivity curves, we can have more consistent legume content and higher annual yields.

In cool-season grasses, the main goal is to combine tetraploid and diploid varieties. Some companies have been doing this for years in some of their popular branded blends. I have also been trying to combine varieties with other characteristics, such as drought tolerance, wet tolerance and upright versus lower profile.

So, how do we make a real-world application with this information? Should we move away from diverse species mixes and go entirely toward diverse monocultures?

I am not ready to do that. There is real value in planting legumes and grasses together.

However, there must be some thought put into the mix composition. Too many farmers and seed companies are going into the warehouse and grabbing one of everything. Diversity for the sake of diversity will not accomplish the goal — it can actually hurt profitability.

A good first step is to simplify mixes. Instead of 10 to 20 species, maybe do three to five. Let’s make sure they complement each other and are easy to manage together.

Then, let’s try to get two complementary varieties of each species. Based on what I know today, this approach helps to preserve the synergistic effect of diversity while providing a forage mix that is easier to manage than the multi-species mixes.

Planning for the Alfalfa Growing Season

Thu, 07 Jan 2021 17:42:39 GMT

Planning for the growing season this year has been a little different than in previous years. The winter season seemed to be longer than usual and has producers wondering when they would be able to access their fields. Here is a bit of information for those producers that are considering planting alfalfa this year.

Field Selection

Establishment of alfalfa seed require a well-drained soil for optimum production. A germination soil temperature of 45oF is adequate for alfalfa establishment. Achieving a profitable stand of alfalfa is the result of proper field selection utilizing proven production practices to ensure germination and establishment. Poor soil drainage can cause problems with soil crusting which may cause poor soil aeration, micronutrient toxicity, and ice damage during winter.

Soil Fertility

It is important to remember to ALWAYS take soil samples before planting to determine pH and nutrient status of the field. Overall, there are 18 nutrients (macronutrients and micronutrients) essential for alfalfa growth. Some of these nutrients include:

Phosphorus: Helps root growth and increase seeding success. Low fertility soils can be improved with an application of 30-50 lbs per acre of P2O5, depending on soil test results.
Potassium: Research suggests that potassium has little effect or influence on improving stand establishment, however, adequate potassium should be added to meet the needs of alfalfa and even a companion crop.

Planting Alfalfa

Failure to successfully establish alfalfa can be expensive and may lead to issues related to production soil erosion. Some considerations for planting alfalfa include: (1) seedbed preparation; (2) seeding dates; (3) seeding depth and rate; (4) whether or not to seed with a companion crop; (5) 100% alfalfa seedings vs. alfalfa-grass mixtures.

Seedbed preparation
Having a firm seedbed is a critical step to ensure good germination of alfalfa seed. Firm seedbeds will reduce the possibility of planting too deep and will help hold moisture closer to the surface. Packing the soil will help to insure a firm seedbed and good soil moisture retention.
Seeding dates
Determining when to plant alfalfa depends on several factors such as soil moisture and cropping practices. For best results in South Dakota alfalfa should be seeded between mid-April to mid-May. This all depends on weather conditions as well. This year might be safe to say that seeding alfalfa in mid-May might be the best option for producers.
Seeding depth and rate
Seed should be covered with enough soil to provide moist conditions for germination. Seed placement of ¼ to ½ inch deep is appropriate on most soils at rates from 10 to 25 lb seed/acre.
Seeding with or without a companion crop
Seeding alfalfa with a companion crop such as annual ryegrass, oats, spring barley, or spring triticale can help to minimize weed competition during establishment. However, planting alfalfa without a companion crop allows producers to harvest more alfalfa with higher quality in the seeding year.
100% alfalfa seedings vs. alfalfa-grass mixtures
Pure stands of alfalfa will produce the highest quality forage and for that reason has the highest demand from the dairy industry. Other producers whose animals’ nutrient requirements are lower may be interested in using alfalfa/grass blends to take advantage of improved persistency while still meeting the nutrient requirements of their livestock. Alfalfa-grass mixtures also offers some advantages such as reduced weed pressure and soil erosion.

The Bottom Line

It is always handy to remember that the first harvest seeding year is when alfalfa is seeded in the spring and considerations of taking one or two cuttings in the same year need to be made by then. The first harvest should be done after the flowers begin to appear, allowing greater energy reserves in the roots. Generally, alfalfa will reach this stage of development 60 to 70 days after emergence. Harvesting delays during this stage will cause large reductions in quality and a decline in total yield over the season because fewer harvests are possible.

I hope this growing season is another successful one. We might be a little slow this year; but that does not mean we won’t be able to achieve the goals for production.

Producers Worry About Lack Of Feed and Bedding Come Fall

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 05:49:18 GMT

Even though planting progress is progressing, livestock producers and dairymen are concerned there isn’t enough corn planted or alfalfa hay cut for feed and bedding come fall.

“The alfalfa crop is two weeks behind,” said John Metzger, a dairy producer from Kimmell, Indiana. “The value is not near what it should have been.”

The U.S. Department of Agriculture saying while corn planting is progressing, it’s still behind. It’s to the point where it’s to the point where it’s too late to plant and achieve a good yield. It’s past the date to plant corn and be fully covered under federal crop insurance.

“With the wide area across the nation being short on feed, we don’t have corn where [we normally] would get it,” said Metzger.

AgDay National Reporter Betsy Jibben talks with John Metzger, a dairy farmer from Kimmell, Indiana and Marcelo Oberto, an independent dairy consultant. You can watch more in this video.

Vermont Sheep Seem to be Headed for Slaughter

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 05:31:02 GMT

The U.S. government has refused the request made by the Belgian government to take two flocks of East Friesian sheep back to Belgium, one of the flock’s owners has told reporters. The sheep supposedly have a form of mad cow disease. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman cited a “conclusive diagnosis” of a form of mad cow disease for the drastic action, said Linda Faillace, who owns one of the flocks in Vermont. The USDA fears that the Vermont sheep may have eaten some contaminated feed in Belgium and wants to take all precautions to keep mad cow disease out of the United States.

“We must consider all of the animals to be diseased or exposed to the foreign TSE (transmissible spongiform encephalopathy) and handle their disposition here in the United States, in accordance with the U.S.'s animal health regulatory system,” Glickman informed the Belgian Embassy in Washington.

Faillace and her husband, Larry Faillace of Warren, Vt., and Houghton Freeman of Stowe, Vt., who together own approximately 350 sheep, have been battling the United States for more than two years to spare their animals’ lives. During this time, the sheep have been under quarantine with no sign of any problems tied to TSE, the owners said.

The U.S. government has claimed that four animals tested positive for a form of mad cow disease. Although government experts said they could not be certain the infection was the deadly disease or a more common sheep ailment, scrapie, they preferred to err on the side of caution.

Faillace said the owners had counted on a reprieve when the Belgian government recently agreed to accept the sheep. Now that the U.S. government has refused that request, Faillace said she would be conferring with the family’s lawyer on what, if any, steps they might still take to save their flocks. The two flocks include 50 imported from Belgium in 1996 and their 300 offspring born in Vermont.

After the government’s announcement, Vermont Health Commissioner Dr. Jan Carney issued a warning against eating cheese made from the flocks, namely the Faillaces’ Three Shepherds of Mad River Valley and Freeman’s Northeast Kingdom Sheep Milk Cheese.

Fearful of a backlash against all the state’s cheeses, the Vermont Cheese Council has requested the owners to surrender their sheep and take up the government’s offer of reimbursement.

Consider Alfalfa On Prevent Plant Acres

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 03:01:55 GMT

With forage shortages throughout much of the nation, farmers considering crop options for prevented plant acres can consider alfalfa as a solution.

According to RMA, farmers have options when planting alfalfa on prevented plant acres. They can plant it as a cover crop and manage it accordingly or they can plant it as a 2020 crop. With the 2020 crop scenario, the farmer has options:

Don’t insure the alfalfa
Insure it under a 2020 forage seeding policy (no 2019 cutting option)
Insure it under a 2021 forage production policy.

Alfalfa provides much needed ground cover and many other beneficial attributes that should be considered when deciding what to plant on PP acres.

“It’s hard to find a crop that is more beneficial to the soil and environment than alfalfa,” said Craig Sheaffer, University of Minnesota forage agronomist. “In addition to providing the most protein per acre, alfalfa reduces soil erosion and improves soil structure, moisture holding capacity and nutrient content. It also increases beneficial soil biota, suppresses weeds, provides habitat for beneficial predatory insects, facilitates crop pollinators, and provides wildlife habitat.”

Sheaffer says alfalfa provides energy savings as well by adding nitrogen to the soil, thereby reducing the need to apply fertilizer.

If farmers plant alfalfa for 2020 production, which can be planted as early as July 1 in some regions, and choose not to insure the crop there are no planting date or harvest restrictions and it is considered a first crop, regardless of insurance coverage, for the 2020 crop year. There will be no impact to the 2019 prevented plant payment.

“With the severe shortage of hay, alfalfa is a crop farmers should strongly consider planting,” said Beth Nelson, President of the National Alfalfa & Forage Alliance. “Planting alfalfa on prevented plant acres will provide farmers with high-quality forage early next spring which is critical coming off a year of forage shortages.” If a cutting is needed in fall 2019, farmers could consider forgoing the forage seeding insurance.

In some areas of the country, farmers need to apply for a written agreement for a fall-seeded forage seeding policy, and should consult their crop insurance agent to establish the request (due dates vary by region).

Farmer to Farmer Website Links Forage Buyers to Sellers

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 03:01:05 GMT

Dairy farmers in various parts of Wisconsin experienced severe alfalfa winterkill and injury this past winter. Losses were the greatest on heavy soil types with poorer drainage.

Because of these losses, there may be an interest in selling hay from counties with surplus forage inventories to areas of the state in need of forages. The Farmer to Farmer website http://farmertofarmer.uwex.edu can facilitate that process.

University of Wisconsin Extension developed and supports the website that facilitates the local marketing of feed commodities where livestock producers in need of hay, haylage, straw, high moisture corn, corn silage or corn grain can easily make contact with sellers. All transactions and negotiations are handled directly between buyers and sellers.

The Farmer to Farmer Forage and Corn list is free of charge for both buyers and sellers. Users can search for, or list for sale, hay, haylage, straw, high moisture corn, corn silage or corn grain. Buyers can search for farmers in just one Wisconsin county or in any number of counties at once.

People who wish to use this service but do not have access to the Internet can get access and assistance at their local county UW-Extension office.

Using Grasses to Optimize Fiber Content in Dairy Rations

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 02:46:47 GMT

Improvements in corn and alfalfa varieties and crop management may result in very energy- dense dairy feeds, but lower fiber content can become a concern.
By: Jim Isleib, Michigan State University Extension

To meet the needs of high-performing dairy cows, producers raise the best possible forage crops, including corn silage and alfalfa haylage or hay. There has been strong focus on highly digestible fiber in corn varieties because it increases energy value of the forage. Alfalfa fiber digestibility and feed energy value, as well as protein content, are increased by harvesting at reduced maturity, but this can result in dairy rations that do not contain enough effective fiber to maintain good rumen and animal health. To increase effective fiber content, some farmers have been feeding fiber sources such as grass hay, forage sorghum, sorghum-sudangrass or even straw.

In an effort to bring this issue into focus, Michigan State University Extension is organizing a forage field day at Brock Farms in Daggett, Michigan (Menominee County). The Brocks milk around 800 Holstein cattle, making them one of the largest dairy operations in the Upper Peninsula. Steve Brock will share his experiences and observations regarding the fiber issue. Farmers and others attending the field day will have a great opportunity to discuss this and other important concerns in an informal setting. MSU Forage Specialist, Kim Cassida and MSU Extension educators will also contribute to the program.

MSU Extension Forage Field Day
Tuesday, July 29, 2014 – 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. central time
Brock Farms, Steve Brock
W5186 Co Rd 360
Daggett, MI 49821

Overview
This free, educational on-farm field day program is intended for dairy farmers and others interested in high quality forage production. Host farmer Steve Brock, MSU State Forage Specialist Dr. Kim Cassida and MSU Extension educators will be on-hand to lead discussion, present research-based forage information, and respond to questions. The program will start at 11 a.m. central time (12 p.m. eastern time) at Brock Farms, located at W5186 Co Rd 360, Daggett, MI 49821. The meeting will conclude by 1 p.m. central time (2 p.m. eastern time).

Topics planned for the field day include:

Optimizing fiber content in dairy rations using grasses
Impact of cover crops on Brock Farms
Mixed alfalfa-grass seedings – which grass species to include?
Ways to reduce cost of production for corn
Additional topics will be determined by participant interest

Lunch will be provided, sponsored by the Menominee County Farm Bureau. This program is part of a series of U.P. forage field days supported by a grant from Project GREEEN.

Agenda

11 a.m. (central time) – Meet at Brock Farm
Farm description and forage production practices and challenges – Steve Brock
11:30 – 12:00 – Getting fiber into the dairy diet: Dr. Kim Cassida
12:00 – Lunch sponsored by Menominee Co Farm Bureau
12:30 – Ideas for reducing corn cost of production – Jim Isleib, MSU Extension
12:45 – Cover crops in forage systems – Frank Wardysnki, MSU Extension and Dr. Kim Cassida
1 p.m. – Wrap up

Registration
Please call Jim Isleib at 906-387-2530 to register. Leave a message if calling after office hours. This is needed to arrange for lunch arrangements and on-farm transportation.

New NEXGROW Brand Incorporates Syngenta & NK Alfalfa Offerings

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 02:33:40 GMT

Source: Forage Genetics International and Syngenta

Forage Genetics International (FGI), one of the world’s leading alfalfa seed providers, and Syngenta announce the launch of NEXGROW™ alfalfa, a new brand equipped to bring growers the traits and technology they need – now and in the future. The brand will be managed by FGI and sold through existing Garst®, Golden Harvest® or NK® brand alfalfa resellers.

“Growers will see this new brand as a continuation of FGI’s 20-year collaboration with Syngenta in coordination with our leadership in diverse genetics and critical industry traits,” said Brent Johnson, NEXGROW™ alfalfa brand manager. “The only change for growers is the new brand name. They will have the same great service through their Garst, Golden Harvest or NK brand alfalfa reseller when purchasing alfalfa for fall planting.”

NEXGROW™ alfalfa brings producers the same top yield potential, high forage quality and exceptional persistence they have come to expect from Syngenta and NK® brand alfalfas – now unified under one name.

“NEXGROW™ alfalfa has all of growers’ favorite Syngenta and NK brand alfalfa varieties, plus seven new varieties,” said Grant Ozipko, Syngenta crop portfolio head. “Grower favorites like 6422Q, the top winner at World Dairy Expo’s 2011 World Forage Analysis Superbowl, will be available along with varieties that are glyphosate tolerant or highly resistant to potato leafhopper.”

The new alfalfa brand will also offer elite next generation glyphosate tolerant varieties, such as Revolt. Superior late fall dormant varieties with exceptional winter hardiness which dramatically increases yield potential will also be available.

For more information on NEXGROW™ alfalfa, visit www.plantNEXGROW.com.

Frosted Alfalfa Might Have Lower NDF Concentration

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 02:33:00 GMT

Warm, spring weather has hastened the growth and development of alfalfa across the Midwest, but recent frosts may have slowed the way alfalfa plants lay down fiber.

In Michigan, growing degree days are running about two weeks ahead of the 30-year average. Based on growing degree days, neutral detergent fiber levels should average about 32.0% on May 7. But based on wet chemistry, the actual level of NDF was 2.8 percentage units lower.

To compensate for the difference, dairy producers should delay cutting, say Michigan State University Extension specialists.

The full report can be read here .