- Author: Daniel H Putnam
- Author: Jerry Cherney
As comedian Rodney Dangerfield used to say: “I don't get no respect”!
Forgive the double negative, but farmers and supporters of our lowly alfalfa and grass crops seem like they have the same complaint.
Consider a few basic facts:
- Hay (especially alfalfa) is the third highest crop in economic return to farmers in the USA, behind only corn and soybean, worth $18-22 billion/year over the past 5 years (greater than wheat, cotton, rice, etc.)
- Over 2/3 of all agricultural land in the US is grassland with an economic value of $44 billion/year (2008, Sanderson et al., 2012).
- The...
- Author: Nicholas Clark
The agenda for the annual Kearney Alfalfa and Forage Field Day is set.
Where: Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center; 9240 S. Riverbend Ave.; Parlier, CA 93648
When: Wednesday, September 19, 2018 @ 7:30 AM - 12:15 PM
What: A half day of field tours, hands on demonstrations, and classroom presentations from UC Farm Advisors and Specialists as well as industry professionals. Refreshments and lunch are provided.
Cost: $0.00
1.5 "Other" DPR units have been applied for. 0.5 NM, 1.0 SWM, 1.5 IPM,...
- Author: Thomas Getts
- Author: Lynn M. Sosnoskie
- Author: Rachael Freeman Long
- Author: Mariano Galla
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The old saying, “Everything's fine until it's not,” comes to mind when dealing with some tough to control perennial weeds in alfalfa production during the summertime. Such was the case for an alfalfa field in the Sacramento Valley, where weed control seemed good up until mid-summer, and then it wasn't. Perennial weeds that started off small and overlooked, grew through the season, persisting through multiple cuttings, including curly dock, plantain, and nutsedge. For tough to control weeds in alfalfa fields, one needs to determine: 1) What types of perennial weeds are present, and 2) How many of them are there, to make a decision on how to manage them. These sorts of weed issues can creep up quickly in older alfalfa...
- Author: Daniel H Putnam
After many years of searching for ways to support research, the fledgling California Alfalfa & Forage Research Foundation has taken modest but important steps towards supporting alfalfa research projects, starting with issues associated with weeds.
“After looking at the proposals, it made sense to us to focus on one area – weeds – which was a determining factor in our reluctant decision not to fund equally deserving projects focusing on other areas” said Philip Bowles (of Bowles Farming and Foundation Chairman).
Alfalfa is the third most valuable crop in the US, and second in acreage only to almonds in California. However, industry funding for alfalfa research has been...
- Author: Nick Clark
- Author: Shannon C. Mueller
Planning for the annual Alfalfa & Forage Field Day at the Kearney Ag Center is underway. We are seeking suggestions for topics to include on the agenda. We want to make sure to meet your need for information on subjects related to all aspects of alfalfa and forage production.
Using the comment feature in this blog, please suggest topics that you would like to learn more about. We will do our best to identify speakers and plan for presentations that you most value.
I've attached the agenda from last year's Field Day here for reference. We will request CE credits from DPR and the CCA program.
If you have...
