- Author: Daniel H Putnam
- Author: William Matthews
- Author: Daniel A Sumner
The western hay industry is in the midst of another dramatic increase in hay exports in 2017, following similar increases in 2016 and 2015. Hay volumes have grown 56% and value increased 47% in the past 3 years (Figure 1).
The dramatic rise of hay exports is one of the most interesting trends for western alfalfa and grass hay production over the past two decades. Japan has been importing hay products for more than 20 years (Figure 2), but recent expansion of the demand has come from China, UAE, Korea, and, just recently, Saudi Arabia (Figure 2, Table 1). {See related article about emerging Saudi demand from March, 2017 "Growth in Saudi Demand...
- Author: Daniel H Putnam
- Author: Rob Wilson
Family and friends mourned the loss this week of Steve Orloff, University of California Cooperative Extension Farm Advisor, who passed away October 3, 2017 from cancer.
Steve Orloff advised many farmers, industry members and conducted research on many crops, including alfalfa.
Steve is remembered for his great sense of humor, his dedication to his family, his friendship to many, and his immense service to agricultural science. He served as a University of California Cooperative Extension Farm Advisor for more than 33 years.
The alfalfa industry, in particular rues his loss, since he contributed greatly to this important California crop.
A True...
- Author: Shannon C. Mueller
- Author: Nicholas Clark
Mark your calendars and plan to attend the annual Alfalfa & Forage Field Day at the Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Parlier, CA on Wednesday September 20, 2017.
DPR and CCA Continuing Education Credits have been requested.
Advance registration is not required.
Don't hesitate to contact me or Nick Clark if you have questions.
We look forward to seeing you!
- Author: Rachael Freeman Long
- Author: Daniel H Putnam
Dog gone it's hot!
This is expected in our Central Valley at this time of year, but when heat waves hit, it's important to be prepared with good irrigation management practices in alfalfa hay production.
Can alfalfa tolerate extreme heat? The short answer is ‘yes'. Alfalfa is originally from the Middle Eastern regions of Turkey, Iran, and Central Asia, so it is well adapted to hot, dry conditions. It's also routinely grown in the hot deserts of Arizona, Southern California and Mexico.
Managing Water. It is especially important that the crop has access to water during hot periods. In the absence of water, the crop will dry down and go...
- Author: Michelle Leinfelder-Miles
- Author: Mick Canevari
We have become aware that common purslane (Portulaca oleracea, Fig. 1) is an increasing problem in alfalfa fields, particularly during the months of July through September. A pest control advisor (PCA) was recently seeking advice on managing purslane in glyphosate-tolerant alfalfa fields this summer. He said that the purslane was getting raked up into the windrowed hay, and he was concerned that the moisture of the purslane would cause mold and hay discoloration or even spontaneous combustion of the hay once baled. He said that glyphosate was not effective at controlling the purslane, and he was considering applying carfentrazone (Shark) as an in-season, post-emergence herbicide. Let's dissect this situation.
Common...