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Dairies in the six western states of California, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Utah and Arizona produce around 38 percent of the U.S. milk supply. Dairies in these states consume approximately 65 percent of the alfalfa hay produced in the seven western states.
Severe winter cold coupled with little or no snow cover can result in poor hay and pasture stands in spring. Plants may be killed or weakened, leaving barren areas in the field or thinning of the stand, depending on the severity of winter injury.
Farmers generally minimize feed costs by producing high yields of high-quality forage. Some farmers strive to long stand life, but many take advantage of short rotations with forage to gain rotational effects and nitrogen credits, thereby increasing yield of the following corn crop for either grain or silage.
Heaving is problem in some alfalfa stands each year in the Midwest. Heaving occurs on heavy soils that have high moisture contents.
Repeated freezing and thawing causes soil expansion and contraction that pushes the tap-rooted plants (and fence posts) out of the soil.
The well-being of the 2011 forage crop will depend on whether producers alleviate some of the stresses caused by past management concerns, according to Purdue Extension forage specialist Keith Johnson.
The 2010 Irrigation Show brought 4,500 attendees and 295 exhibitors (more than half targeting the agricultural segment) to the Phoenix Convention Center, Dec. 5-7, 2010.
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