Minimizing Wheel Traffic Damage to Alfalfa
by Dan Undersander
What damage is caused by wheel traffic?
Wheel traffic is known to increase soil compaction which, on some soils, reduces macropore air permeability, soil water infiltration and root development of alfalfa. All of which reduce yield. However, our research has indicated that the largest effect of wheel traffic is to break off regrowing alfalfa stems thereby reducing next cutting yield.
How much is yield of next cutting reduced?
Sampling Corn Silage Fields to Accurately Determine Moisture
Joe Lauer, Corn Agronomist
Corn must be ensiled at the proper moisture to get fermentation for preservation. But, determining when to harvest corn at the right whole plant moisture is difficult. Each storage structure properly ensiles at slightly different moisture optimums. Harvesting corn too wet for the storage structure will result in reduced yield, souring and seepage of the ensilage, and low intake by dairy cows. Harvesting
