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Producing dairy quality alfalfa hay has always been a challenge. The industry is constantly pursuing new technologies to help the hay producer grow and package a consistently high-quality forage.
Small-grain winter annual grass crops are commonly used as forages across the U.S. in many livestock production systems as grazed and stored (hay and silage) forages. Small- grain crops include wheat, oats, rye, triticale and barley.
Although vertical tillage equipment has been around for many generations, aerators have become very popular as an efficient way to retain more moisture, alleviate compaction and hardpan and stimulate plant growth.
Timothy hay is Washington state’s largest- and highest-valued grass hay commodity. Timothy hay in the Pacific Northwest is primarily grown for export to Japan to be used for feed in dairy herds. In the lower Columbia Basin, researchers have received yields up to 10 tons per acre per year in three cuttings, but most farmers get two cuttings and receive around 5 to 7 tons per acre per year.
The National Hay Association (NHA) is accepting applications for a full-time contractor to act as the executive director of the NHA. Applicants should be energetic and passionate about their work; they must be organized and detail oriented; and have good communication and interpersonal skills. Knowledge of the forage industry is important. Job location is open for discussion pending board approval.
There are two schools of thought when it comes to adding nitrogen to mixed stands of legumes and grasses. The first school of thought is this: legumes provide all the nitrogen that the accompanying plants need, so additional nitrogen fertilizer is not needed.
We have heard numerous times that one of the most important influences on dairy farm profitability is forage quality. Stated another way, the higher-quality the forage, the greater the chances for a profitable dairy business.
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