We use cookies to provide you with a better experience. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy.
If you purchased alfalfa seed this year, part of your purchase has now been dedicated to funding nine new research projects. The U.S. Alfalfa Farmer Research Initiative (USAFRI), better known as the Alfalfa Checkoff, recently awarded the third round of funding to research projects submitted by researchers from a diverse collection of geographic areas of the country.
A look at crop/weather maps helps tell the story as the 2018 hay production season winds down in many areas. Continuing drought in the Southwest affected quantity, while widespread rain elsewhere impacted quality and prices.
Drought continues to cover much of the country, resulting in reduced supplies of quality forage and grain. In an attempt to salvage corn and sorghum crops as a feed, cows are turned into the field to graze the total plants (leaves, stalks and grain). This practice, however, may cost more money than it saves due to production and livestock losses resulting from the presence of aflatoxin, prussic acid or nitrate in the grazed crops.
Whether you are a small farm or custom operation that produces large square bales and/or the “bale bundles” for small square bales, the new ProAG 12SR Plus Stacker handles the job. This versatile stacker can go from picking up large square bales to the bale bundles within minutes in the field with a few minor adjustments.
Personally, I am a very visual learner. It is easy for me to “grasp” a concept when I can physically “grasp” it. With this in mind, I sought to create a visual aid to help explain the difference between pure alfalfa silage and hay crop (alfalfa-grass mix) silage using a method from Kurt Cotanch.
Driscoll | Top Hay is a joint venture between Driscoll Brothers, an Idaho family farm, and Top Hay Agri Industries, a British Columbia, Canada, hay marketing company. In 2017, they opened a hay press facility in Pocatello, Idaho, where Driscoll Brothers would acquire and compress alfalfa, and Top Hay (with on-site offices in China) would be the export marketing arm.
“I love waiting,” said no one ever. But maybe they should.
When we sit waiting for a baler to be fixed, we may check our phones, emails or social media (if we’re lucky enough to get cell service in the field) or maybe even read the seed flyer now faded and stuck on the dashboard.
RSS
