- Author: Rachael Freeman Long
- Author: Michelle Leinfelder-Miles
- Author: Sarah LIght
- Author: Dan Putnam
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A new study that outlines costs and returns of establishing and producing organic alfalfa hay has been released by UC Cooperative Extension, the UC Agricultural Issues Center and the UC Davis Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics.
High-quality organic alfalfa hay is an important ingredient in milk-cow feed rations for organic dairies. Organic dairy farms are required to use organic feed and allow cows to graze for part of their forage. Organic alfalfa hay comprises another major source of forage for the industry.
In 2019, organic dairy farms in California produced about 900 million pounds of milk — just over 2% of California milk output production, according to co-author Daniel Sumner, director of the...
- Author: Konrad Mathesius
- Author: Gabriele Maier
- Author: Josh Davy
- Editor: Mark Lundy
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Looking a little dry out there?
Dry conditions mean it's good to be cautious about nitrate toxicity in forage crops, particularly small grain hay, grasses, and anything weedy! Nitrates can harm or even kill animals. Growers should test forages and stay vigilant.
Why are dry years more of a concern for nitrate toxicity? Drought conditions in California this year are the worst they've been in decades. Many growers are considering cutting their grain fields for hay, however, that may cause some concerns for ruminant livestock if forage nitrate (NO3) levels are not monitored closely since drought stress can cause nitrate accumulation in forage plants.
Rainfall...
- Author: Umair Gull
- Author: Rachael Long
- Author: Isaya Kisekka
- Author: Khaled Bali
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Looking a little dry out there?
January and February of 2021 were some of the driest months on record, with near Zero (1.7”) precipitation in Northern California. Things don't look good for summer. What can alfalfa growers do under these conditions?
Drought Coming. Currently much of the Southwest US is under ‘extreme' to ‘exceptional drought', depending upon the region (Figure 1). A key issue for many regions is snow pack – which currently is at about 60% of normal. Although we've had some recent precipitation, the trend is for relatively low rainfall for the rest of the month of March. Allocations of surface water to the large irrigation districts are scheduled to be a...
- Author: Rachael Freeman Long
- Author: Dr. Ken Giles
- Author: Dr. Xuan Li
- Author: Bill Reynolds
Use of drones (UAV, unmanned aerial vehicle) for aerial application of pesticides in agricultural crops is becoming a reality.
Drone technology provides an additional tool for growers to control pests and diseases on farms, supplementing traditional ground and aerial spraying practices. This could be especially helpful in areas where there's a shortage of farm labor for pesticide applications or for small areas that require spot treatment.
2020 Drone Trials
In the summer 2020, we evaluated the efficacy of drones compared to airplanes for applying insecticides for summer worm control in alfalfa hay fields (see Photo 1). These pests can be highly damaging to alfalfa as the larvae...
- Author: Daniel H Putnam
- Author: Rachael Long
- Author: Michael Rethwisch
- Author: Ian Grettenberger
The California Department of Pesticide Regulation is currently reviewing the use of Transform (sulfoxaflor) for insect pest management in alfalfa hay production. A decision on whether to register Transform with a label for use in California alfalfa is expected to occur by the end of 2020. The registration of Transform has been so far deferred due to concerns of potential impacts on pollinators. Transform currently has a full EPA label for use in alfalfa hay in all other states, but not in California.
This is something California alfalfa growers and PCAs should pay attention to, and consider weighing in.
Figure 1. Blue Alfalfa Aphid Damage, Nevada, 2020. Growers in other states are able to use Transform to...
