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In Mississippi, a coordinated research and demonstration/extension effort has substantially increased alfalfa acreage since 2014. As some of the targeted producers in the region have a negative view of alfalfa and its management challenges, many of these efforts have been under a pretext of demonstrating cutting and fertility management techniques.
Alfalfa requires potassium in the greatest amount to facilitate its maximum growth potential. For a healthy stand and optimum hay yields, alfalfa absorbs potassium more than any other nutrient from the soil.
Grass-legume mixture yields are similar to grass monocultures fertilized with upward of 100 to 200 pounds of nitrogen per acre. With the cost of fertilizer around 50 cents per pound, grass-legume mixtures can result in substantial cost savings. Legumes also provide greater protein concentration and other soluble cell contents compared to grass monocultures, and cattle intake rates are greater for legumes than grasses.
As a forage crop agronomist, clover has always been the holy grail. Clover in pastures improves soil condition, supplies nitrogen to companion grasses when recycled back to pasture as manure and urine, increases yield, increases intake of both protein and energy and can eliminate the need for supplemental fertilizer nitrogen (N) when high-yielding legumes like red clover are present in grass pastures.
Electric fencing has been around a long time, and its significance to grazing management is sometimes overlooked. Electric fence is a mental barrier that can contain even very difficult to control animals.
Repair No. 1
Sometimes just getting the truck home under its own power counts as a suitable roadside repair. The venerable SQHD rear axles were bulletproof behind the 220 Cummins engine and the 6-71 Detroit engine which were the standard for power when the SQHD showed up.
I’m not a social media genius, but ever since my kids set up a Facebook account for me nine or 10 years ago, I dabble regularly in the medium. I now have Instagram and Twitter accounts to accompany my profile in Mr. Zuckerberg’s kingdom.
Recent economic conditions have raised concerns about the financial health of the U.S. farm sector. After peaking around 2012, farm sector income declined while farm debt continued to rise. Farm real estate is no longer rapidly appreciating in value, and land prices have declined in some regions.
Nick Simmons, Escambia County extension specialist in Florida, opens a new video series called "In The Field." Episode 1 in the series depicts proper hay sampling of round bales, beneficial to producers and buyers.
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