- 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: Daniel H Putnam
- Author: Rachael Long
Gophers, ground squirrels, and meadow voles are among the most important pests in California alfalfa fields.
Training in vertebrate pest management and control is being held, starting tomorrow for the next few days in virtual webinars.
Sign up now for Virtual Vertebrate Pest Council Webinars coming in the next few days.
Pocket Gopher in an alfalfa field.
Tuesday, March 30, 2021-
- 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: Sarah Light
- Author: Daniel H. Putnam
Good stand establishment is important for alfalfa production and can impact crop productivity not only in year one, but for many years. Stand establishment weed control is one of the most important factors for both conventional and organic growers.
Weed competition during stand establishment may be irreversible because it impedes root growth, results in thinner alfalfa stands, and can lower forage quality due to poor stands.
This project evaluated the efficacy of pre-plant weed control in alfalfa using mechanical cultivation or Glyphosate spray with the goal of providing both organic and conventional growers with regionally relevant information about an integrated weed management tool for improved stand...