Effectiveness of Equipment to Speed Hay Drying by C. Alan Rotz, Agricultural Engineer USDA-ARS, Pasture and Watershed Management Research Unit University Park, PA 16802 High quality forage is recognized as an important requirement for maintaining maximum production of cattle, particularly in dairy production. Adequate roughage is needed in diets to provide good rumen function, but as more […]
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Fine Tuning Your Alfalfa Cutting Height to Maximize Forage Yield Summary of 2000 and 2001 data by Ron Wiederholt – Clark County UWEX Daniel W. Wiersma – Pioneer Hybrids International Introduction Current recommendations regarding cutting height of alfalfa are designed to maximize yield while maintaining high quality forages and stand longevity. Forage growers frequently cut forages at a […]
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Hay Desiccants and Preservatives by Dan Undersander, UW-Extension Forage Agronomist Hay preservatives can reduce the spoilage and heating losses from hay baled wetter than optimum. First, it is important to recognize that two totally different types of products with different modes of action are sold: one is a desiccant which is a compound applied to the hay […]
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Relative Forage Quality (RFQ) Indexing Legumes and Grasses for Forage Quality by Dan Undersander, University of Wisconsin and John E. Moore, University of Florida Relative Feed Value has been of great value in ranking forages for sale or inventorying and assigning forage to animal groups according to their quality needs. With the introduction of the new approaches to determining […]
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Diurnal Variation in Forage Quality Affects Animal Preference and Production H.F. Mayland, USDA-ARS, 3793 N 3600 E, Kimberly, ID 83341 email: mayland@kimberly.ars.pn.usbr.gov phone: 208-423-6517 G.E. Shewmaker, Univ. Idaho, Twin Falls, ID 83303-1827 D.S. Fisher, USDA-ARS, Watkinsville, GA 30677-2373, and J.C. Burns, USDA-ARS, Raleigh, NC 27695-7620 Introduction In 1993, we began to evaluate animal grazing preferences among eight tall fescue […]
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United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service Northwest Irrigation & Soils Research Laboratory Revised March 1999 Diurnal Cycling in Forage Quality by H.F. (Hank) Mayland and Glenn E. Shewmaker* Sundown (PM) Versus Sunup (AM) Cutting of Forages On 5th August 1996, Mayland was interpreting soluble-carbohydrate data measured in the ‘Grazing Preference Study’ noted above and reconciling them […]
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Estimation of Alfalfa NDF Using PEAQ with a Simplified Staging Scale Step 1: Choose a representative 2-square-foot area in the field. Step 2: Determine the most mature stem in the 2-square-foot sampling area using the criteria shown in the table at right. Step 3: Measure the length of the tallest stem in the 2-square-foot area. Measure it from […]
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Getting Low Potassium in Forages by Dan Undersander and Keith Kelling, University of Wisconsin Hypocalcemia results from a deficiency in plasma Calcium at the onset of lactation in dairy cows, and is the main cause of several severe metabolic disorders. Three weeks prior to calving, it is desirable to have a moderately anionic diet, to avoid milk fever and […]
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Considerations When Applying Manure to Alfalfa by K.A. Kelling and M.A. Schmitt1 Manure application to alfalfa is a management option that is increasingly being considered by livestock producers. Increased regulatory pressure due to nutrient management planning, and concerns with ground and surface water pollution are prompting producers to look at alternative crops for manure applications. While corn may […]
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Late Summer Alfalfa Seeding by Dr. Dan Undersander, University of Wisconsin Late summer seeding is an excellent way to establish stands and is actually the preferred time of year to seed in many regions. But your decision to late summer seed should be based on weather conditions (temperature), available soil moisture, and your projected forage needs (importance of […]
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