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.
I reported recently on stunted and yellow alfalfa plants that were being reported in Berks, Dauphin and Lancaster counties (see pictures).
Samples were sent to Dr. Deborah Samac, USDA-ARS alfalfa pathologist, in St Paul, Minnesota, and I received back a report that the culprit is "Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris" or more commonly known as “Witches-broom phytoplasma.”
“Remember, corn is a grass. In some ways, you need to think about managing your corn for silage as if you were managing your grass hay crop." said Matt Waldron, University of Missouri dairy nutritionist.
Roger and Shelley Barton own and operate Barton Farm in Ferron, Utah. The Bartons farm 120 acres of alfalfa and mixed grasses used for horse hay. They irrigate with a center-pivot irrigation system.
Plain and simple – each growing season is different. Even if you’ve planted a corn hybrid for silage and gotten consistent results for several years, it’s important to realize weather and environmental conditions in a given year may affect this year’s performance.
Some years it’s difficult to find decent haymaking weather. Sunny, hot, dry and breezy – that’s the prescription for good haymaking, along with using practices that can help the process.
As we approach the spring planting producers might be considering hybrid bermudagrass varieties as a forage option to establish pasture or hayfields.
Variety testing at Mississippi State University has shown that although most hybrid bermudagrasses propagate only through vegetative material, they have greater yield potential than seeded bermudagrass, but also require higher fertilization rates.
Between summer rains and baling challenges, making high-quality hay can be difficult. Further, silage production for many small and moderate-sized livestock producers is prohibitive because of the costs of equipment and storage.
Some of the corn planted has been in the ground for a few weeks and the early-planted corn should now be spiking according to Tim Schnakenberg, agronomy specialist, University of Missouri Extension.
“Normally corn should be up and out of the ground within three weeks of planting, but the cooler weather and high moisture levels may cause stands to not emerge evenly,” says Schnakenberg.
RSS
