Ice on Alfalfa by Dan Undersander, UW-Madison Department of Agronomy Freezing rains and ice accumulation in Wisconsin during the winter often lead to questions about potential ice damage to alfalfa stands. How does ice cause damage to alfalfa? The freezing temperatures of ice often do little damage directly to alfalfa. Temperatures significantly below freezing (less than 15°F […]
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Effect of Drought on Alfalfa and Managing for Next Growing Season by Dr. Dan Undersander Agronomy, University of Wisconsin Drought can significantly reduce alfalfa yield. Timing of drought can be critical. First cutting may be reduced in the case of a dry March. Alfalfa root systems die back to some extent over winter. The root system […]
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Alfalfa Grass Mixtures by Dan Undersander1 Research is developing new understanding of forage, fiber, and the animal’s ability to use them. We have also increased understanding of the genetics of alfalfa to allow improved variety selection methods and enhanced performance for the farmer. This paper will consider both topics. Growing Alfalfa/Grass Mixtures Generally dairymen have perceived […]
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Wisconsin Alfalfa Yield and Persistence (WAYP) Program 2016 Summary Report Program Objectives To verify the yield and quality of alfalfa harvested from production fields over the life of the stand beginning with the first production year (year after seeding). To quantify decreases in stand productivity of alfalfa fields as they age. 2016 Overview: This summary […]
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Factors Affecting Bunker Silo Densities by Brian J. Holmes1 and Richard E. Muck2 1Biological Systems Engineering Department, University of Wisconsin – Madison 2USDA, ARS, U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center April 12th, 1999 Introduction Attaining a high density in a silo is important for two primary reasons. Firstly and most importantly, density and dry matter content determine the porosity of […]
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Preserving Baled Hay with Organic Acids by Mike Rankin Introduction Weather patterns in the upper Midwest often make it difficult to field-cure hay below 20 percent moisture on a consistent basis. In some cases, growers may desire to harvest hay at higher moisture levels to reduce harvest losses from mechanical leaf shattering and improve forage quality. […]
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Contract Feed Production Arrangements by Joe Stellato, Crops and Soils Agent Shawano County UW-Extension Introduction Economic necessity and a desire to manage risk are causing many Wisconsin farm operators to rethink their ways of doing business. All farm operators can reduce business risk by minimizing their investment in capital assets that do not produce a high rate […]
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Comparing Forage Dry-down Rates Using a Super Conditioner in Wisconsin by Matt Hanson1 Introduction Producing quality dry hay is an ongoing challenge that producers face each year. Some producers attempt to take the bad weather out of the dry haymaking process by building on-farm hay driers, using hay preservatives at harvest or making additional passes over […]
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Ramblings from an Old Scissors-cutter by Mike Rankin, Crops and Soils Agent Fond du Lac County – UW Extension Getting old has its disadvantages. With each passing day there are aches and pains in new places resulting in more visits to the doctor than ever seemed possible or desired. Change becomes increasingly more difficult but necessary to keep […]
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Planting Corn for Silage after a First-cut Alfalfa Harvest by Mike Rankin1, Joe Lauer2, and Mark Renz3 1UW-Extension Crops and Soils Agent, Fond du Lac County 2UW-Extension Corn Agronomist, Dept. of Agronomy, UW-Madison 3UW-Extensin Weed Management Specialist, Dept. of Agronomy, UW-Madison Introduction It’s early May, you’re looking at a rather marginal alfalfa stand, the haylage silo […]
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