Search

This article presents information on the custom rate survey for harvesters across the U.S. as of April 2013. The Wisconsin custom rate survey is a statewide average and three regional averages. The 2012 Iowa Farm Custom Rate Survey states that 28% of the 276 respondents do custom work, 11% hire work done and 61% perform both. Details about the Historical Custom Rates in Kansas and Projections by Kevin Dhuyvetter, an economist from Kansas State University in Missouri, is provided.

The article discusses the weeds that are more worrisome for alfalfa growers in different regions in the U.S. Steve Orloff, Siskiyou County farm advisor, asserts that the shepherd's purse and tansy mustards are problems for fall alfalfa seedings in Intermountain California. The most-abundant broadleaf affecting spring-planted alfalfa in Idaho is common lambsquarter. Volunteer small grains in Montana are widespread in seedling alfala.

The article focuses on various insects that can damage alfalfa plants in different regions of the U.S. Alfalfa weevil and potato leafhoppers are recognized as the main alfalfa yield robbers in the country. Farm specialists recommend growers to be aware of these insects and create precautionary measures to prevent them from damaging plants. A number of other insects pests, including cutworms, aphids, and grasshoppers, are also discussed.

The article narrates on the annual experience of American growers with teff, an Ethiopian warm-season annual grass in the U.S. According to various growers that teff season provide versatile type of soil which appropriate for hay, silage or pasture crop. Over the years, old grass commonly used to produce flour. It reveals that some other firms provide other teff varieties including Dessie, Corvallis and Excalibur.

The article discusses the inconsistency of the results provided by forage testing laboratories in the U.S. Forage specialists sent multiple alfalfa hay samples to 21 forage-analysis laboratories. The results show that less than half of the laboratories produced consistent results. It is mentioned that when results differ, hay sellers can lose customers or feel forced to sell at lower prices. Laboratories complain that growers and buyers don't provide samples properly and consistently. INSETS: Labs Question Testing Approach;How 'Identical' Samples Were Created;How NFTA's Check Program Works.

The article presents the new premium alfalfa seed varieties that has been approved by the National Alfalfa and Miscellaneous Legumes Variety Review Board for the planting season in the U.S. in 2008. It include Spyder from Brett-Young Seeds Ltd., Keystone from Chemgro Seeds and Upper Edge from Ampac Seed Co. It cited that the listed seeds are being marketed already, however, they will still go through a board review in January.

The article focuses on the impact of high feed prices on the ration for cows in dairy farms in the U.S. Mike Hutjens, University of Illinois extension dairy nutritionist, predicted that dairy producers will balance rations with more corn silage, high-quality hay and byproducts, and less corn grain. Paul Dyk, dairy extension agent of Fond du Lac County in Wisconsin, suggested that producers should look for ways to hold feed cost down. INSET: Work To Get The Most Milk.

The article discusses the benefits gained by hay growers from using automated-steer machines in cutting hay in the U.S. According to truck manufacturers and experts, growers are finding the machine effective while mowing. The technology, which uses Global Positioning System satellite data to guide farm machinery, is also used in forage harvesters.

The article focuses on the use of sorghums in the U.S. and its benefits to growers. Topics include the growing trend for using sorghums due to the effect of drought and water shortage in forage production in the country, the flexibility offered by sorghums in planting, the use of winter forage with summer energy crop. Comments from several experts including director Jeff Dahlberg, forage product manager Ricky Rice, and independent consultant Tom Kilcer are presented.

the article focuses on the Alfalfa production in the south region of the U.S. it informs that traditionally people of the region used to grow Bermuda grass but now alfalfa as it produced improve quality of hay and N-fixing capabilities. It mentions protein content increased from the typical 14-16% for Bermuda grass to 18-22% in hay produced from the Alfalfa.

The article discusses the increased of corn silage prices following the deficient of corn silage supplies in several states in the U.S. in 2011. It notes that pasture-based dairies in California are seeing some expansion. It states the rising corn silage for up to 60 dollars per ton in parts of Pennsylvania. It adds the shortage of silage supplies in Wisconsin.

The article presents a compilation of custom forage harvesting rates that came from custom operators, farmers and farm managers in various U.S. states surveyed by land-grant universities or the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). According to Iowa State University 2010 custom rate survey, the small square bale average rates were 50 cents/bale while the large ones were 9.80 cents/bale. The per-bale rates for small squares in Nebraska, Ohio and Kentucky are also offered.

The article offers information on salt-tolerant alfalfas that can help Western growers produce crops in saline-damaged areas in the U.S. It notes that salts accumulate in soils through excess salty water from abundant rainfall or irrigation. It mentions the Conservation Reserve Program and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) that offer cost-shared funds for salinity control. INSET: Who Has Salt-Tolerant Varieties?.

The article focuses on the view of agriculture experts regarding the supply of proprietary alfalfa seeds in the U.S. Mike Velde, Dairyland Seed alfalfa breeder, stresses that the economy supply of alfalfa is very short and its prices will never be cheap. It notes that initiative of major alfalfa seed breeders such as Cal/West Seeds, Forage Genetics Inc. and Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc. to contract their seed production two years in advance to prevent from running out of supply.

The article features self-propelled balers used by growers in the United States. Tom and Jerry Fry uses a self-propelled machine that is a combination of Hesston baler and Versatile tractor. Gary Kelderman's self-propelled baler pulls a homemade accumulator that groups three big squares. The article highlights the key features and benefits offered by the self-propelled balers.

The article focuses on the use of wide swathing to improve haylage quality in the U.S. agriculture. Wide swathing would lower the amount of soluble protein in haylage. That, in turn, would enable dairymen to formulate high-forage, low-cost rations. Wide swathing has other benefits. The big change is that being able to feed higher forage reduces the vet bill. The cutting rate drops dramatically and profitability increases. Wide-swathed hay is hit with more sunlight, drying faster and more uniformly than hay in narrow windrows. Protein solubility tends to run at about 65-70% in haylage. INSET: Wide Swathing Tips.

Probes into the joint effort of custom harvesters, operators and nutritionist to come up with a quality milk production in the U.S. Emphasis on nutrition rather than high yield in the production; Enhancement of communication between the three important role players in the production of milk; Factors that custom operators must consider when dealing with their clients.

The article offers information on the issue of using high-forage diets for lowering feed costs among U.S. dairies. Topics discussed include research conducted by scientists Heather Dann, and Larry Chase on the issue, proper forage inventory management with the use of high-forage diets and the impact of the diet on feed bunk management and cow behavior. Also mentions about measuring the amount of acreage needed and using hybrids or varieties in order to build adequate inventories.

The article presents the findings of hay sampling demonstration conducted by the National Forage Testing Association (NFTA) in the U.S. The demonstration reveals that the quality of the bales could be highly variable from one large square bale and several more from the next one. It further discusses the methodology adopted for sampling demonstration. The demonstration further examines relative feed value (RFV) and crude protein (CP) among samples.

The article presents the findings of a survey titled "Grower's 2013 Crop Outlook Survey" conducted by the journal on harvesting of hay in 2013. The survey reveals that 28 percent of 1,435 farmers will harvest more hay in 2013 across the country. The survey further focuses on topics including hay demand and prices, rotating crops, and impact of drought or water availability on the harvesting of hay. The survey indicates that some growers will increase crop insurance on row crops.

This article discusses the usage of Shredlage, a processor utilized in harvesting corn, by several farm operators in the U.S. The silage corns shredded using the processor are more digestible than that harvested with a standard crop processor, according to nutritionists Ross Dale and Roger Olson. Farmers who use the Shredlage product include Ron Wussow from Cecil, Wisconsin, Code Olson of Diversified Farms and Phil Kuiken of Kuiken Farms. The advantages of using Shredlage are presented.

The article focuses on Shredlage, from the U.S. based company Shredlage LLC, equipment for producing a kind of corn silage which is a fermented food for ruminants. It mentions that idea of is developed by two nutritionists and a crop processor manufacturer. it reports that Shredlage silage corn are of longer chop lengths and are more digestible and less sortable than standard corn silage. It reports that Shredlage, LLC developed a new modified Shredlage model that fits all 2012 Class machines.

The article presents information on Dan Undersander, University of Wisconsin Extension forage specialist according to whom growers in the U.S. must prepare for drought in 2013.

The article offers information related to the investment in silage inoculants. It states several benefits of silage inoculants, such as the improvement of dry matter recovery by two to three percent and increase in animal performance by three to five percent. Rich Muck, agricultural engineer at the Agricultural Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) notes the big return of inoculants in animal performance.

The article reports on the four novel-and beneficial-endophyte fescues for drought and pest infestation which offer safer choices including Texoma MaxQII from Pennington Seed Inc., Estancia with ArkShield from Mountain View Seed, and Duramax Armor from DLF International Seeds. Moreover, it states that rotational grazing can minimize overgrazing and produce non-toxic legumes and forages to animals.

The article focuses on the safety of growing organic and conventional crops at the same time in the U.S. Don Cameron, the manager of Terranova Ranch, guarantees the success of producing organic and biotech alfalfa without the fear of contamination. The hay growers are recommended to identify the crops, and to use the appropriate cleaning equipment in planting.

The article focuses on the optimistic outlook on the production of the hay industry based on the survey of the periodical "Hay & Forage Grower" in the U.S.

The article reports on the attempt to remove the Roundup Ready alfalfa from the market in 2011 in the U.S. The Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFS) intends to file a lawsuit to stop the sale of alfalfa and to challenge the approval under the National Environmental Policy Act and the Endangered Species Act. The CFS contradicts the approval of the transgenic crop because it believes that the forage plant could have an impact on the endangered species.

The article discusses the importance for feed makers to manage their agricultural silos to avoid fires in the U.S. It examines how fires usually start in upright silos, particularly when corn silage, haylage, and other materials are put up too dry and without moisture to dissipate the heat produced through natural fermentation. Director Dave Hill of Pennsylvania State University advises farmers to implement safety procedures in their feed operations to prevent such accidents.

The article discusses the advantages of baleage in storing hay and forage plants in the U.S. Engineer Kevin Shinners of the University of Wisconsin explains the benefits of the process hay and forage plant storage since they are not exposed to rainfall and snowfall. It also compares the advantages and disadvantages of baled hay and forage plants compared to chopped materials. An overview of the steps of baling hay and forage plants is provided.

The article focuses on the popularity of alfalfa and corn silage in the forage industry in the U.S. Nutritionist Mike Hutjens recalls how alfalfa silage became the dairy forage of choice among farmers in the country due to its proven effectiveness, as well as the growing popularity of corn silage due to the effort of breeders to invest in more resources to improve their silage hybrids. It also notes how the industry has made significant enhancements relative to the quality of both silages.

The article offers information on 13 new varieties of crops listed by fall dormancy and gained National Alfalfa & Miscellaneous Legumes Variety Review Board approval in the U.S. in 2010. New varieties include eXclaim, marketed by LG Seeds Inc. and AgReliant Genetics LLC, LS 604, marketed by Byron Seeds LLC, and Rebound 6.0 from Croplan Genetics. The article offers information on the varieties' insect and disease resistance.

The article reports on the impact of the possible reappearance of Roundup Ready alfalfa seed into the proprietary seed supply pipeline on alfalfa breeds that aim to accurately establish inventories of conventional seed in the U.S. It presents the views of Mark McCaslin, president of Forage Genetics International LLC, regarding the effect of the timing of Roundup Ready alfalfa seed on the industry. It also examines the deregulation of Roundup Ready alfalfa seed.

The article discusses the cost effectiveness of silage piles as a storage system for forage. According to Richard Muck, U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agriculture Research Service (USDA-ARS) agricultural engineer at the U.S. Dairy Forage Center in Madison, Wisconsin, well-planned and managed silage piles cut capital costs and keep losses low. He adds that in building silage piles, it must be planned carefully.

The article focuses on the usage of teff grass, the warm-seasonal annual grass, as replacement for alfalfa for dairies feed in the U.S. It features Blair Mickelson, the owner of Haven-Maid Dairy with partners Harmon Tobler and Jon Mortensen, depicting the advantage of teff compared to the other grasses. Don Miller, forage breeder and director of product development of Producer's Choice Seed, discusses branching of the Tiffany teff line into the dairy and beef markets as a goal of their company.

The article focuses on the advantage of growing forage brassicas, particularly turnips, for fall and winter grazing in the U.S. It cites the Michigan State University research in 2006, featuring Terri Hawbaker and Rick Hawbaker of Grazeway Farm, Pewamo. It also features educator Terry Gompert of University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension in Knox County, Nebraska. The best forage turnips for summer is depicted by forage specialist Richard Leep of Michigan State Extension.

The article discusses the advantages of seeding grasses with alfalfa in the U.S. Tom Cox, agricultural economist at the University of Wisconsin (UW), explains the benefits of seeding grasses with alfalfa since it provides better cover management and reduces erosion. It also mentions the research conducted at UW to determine the whole-farm management and economic performance in seeding grasses with alfalfa vs. growing pure alfalfa.

The article provides information on the significance of the online grazing-wedge system in forage and grazing. Rob Kallenbach, University of Missouri's forage agronomist, elucidates the significance of the said online calculation tool in estimating and governing animal farm. Moreover, Kallenbach mentions that several ranchers in the U.S. have used this online tool.

The article discusses the significant advantage of working with family and relatives on business enterprises in the U.S. According to Luke and Kathy Vander Kinter of Vander Kinter Farms, the benefit of a family member is the ready labor force that wants their business to succeed. Another firm, Linscheid Farms LLC, owned by Jason and Steve Linscheid along with their sister Jen Hasburgh and parents JoDean and Art, employed the technique of divide and conquer to their business.

The article reports on the possible development of cellulosic ethanol, a biofuel made from grass, wood or other non-edible plant material, in the U.S. According to research geneticist Michael Casler, cellulosic ethanol will soon be developed and researchers are working hard to develop this type of biofuel. Moreover, it also indicates that the possible development of a switchgrass biofinery in Tennessee will be on 2012.

The article focuses on the opinion of two forage specialists, Dan Undersander and Dan Putnam on Roundup Ready (RR) transgenic alfalfa issues in the U.S. Undersander and Putnam examine and provide scientific analysis for alfalfa growers and agricultural industries representatives about RR alfalfa. They outlines the effect of RR alfalfa on insects, animals and environment. They recommend that both alfalfa growers and industry should understand the proper usage of genetic tool.

The article reports on the issue of lowering insect thresholds because of high hay prices in the U.S. Mark Sulc, Ohio State University extension forage specialist, said that entomologists don't really know whether they would recommend lowering insect thresholds because of hay's higher value. He said that scientists also do not want to adjust thresholds down because most of them are already on the conservative side.

The article reports on the move made by former hay trucker Taylor Stack requesting the U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to provide a temporary rule on hay hauling. The move was made in response to the attempt of the government to create a uniform regulation intended for the security of product transportation. He is extending the general cargo category to a commodity-specific law.

The article discusses the forecast on the supply of alfalfa seed in the U.S. in 2008. It cited that overall, the seed supplies for plantings will be adequate, but a little tight. It stated that this condition was due to the court conjunction that halted the sale of Roundup Ready alfalfa which forced companies to grow for conventional seed. It inferred prompted by the geographic shift of alfalfa seed production and a shift to planting higher-value corn.

The article focuses on the possible increase of corn silage prices in the U.S. According to Joe Lauer, extension corn agronomist with the University of Wisconsin, when corn is cheap, the price of $18-22/ton for corn silage is reasonable. The agronomist suggests growers and dairymen follow dairy nutritionist Jim Linn's method of valuing corn silage.

The article reports on the development of a replicated sample program in the U.S. by Dan Undersander which shows forage analysis results as estimates and not absolutes. The program has been endorsed by the National Forage Testing Association and the National Hay Association. Undersander notes that growers and buyers get an estimate of reliability by sending laboratory multiple samples from the same stack and getting the average of the test results.

The article provides information on the 2006 World's Forage Analysis Superbowl in the U.S. Wyoming growers took the top honors, with Ervin Gara III named as grand champion. In addition, David Hinman of Hardrock Farms, took the grand champion first-time entrant, and the top three placers in the commercial hay division were all from Wyoming. Gara and his crew got close to 15,000 tons of alfalfa, selling his entire dairy product to Colorado.

The article focuses on the quality of alfalfa seeds for the 2007 season in the U.S. According to alfalfa seed breeding industry experts, growers may expect higher seed prices and lower quality seeds in 2007. However, Paul Frey, president and CEO, said that the total supplies should be adequate for the entire season.

The article points out that forage plant chopper dealers for custom harvesters should go the extra mile in providing their services. Dealerships which have choppers for rent are quite rare. Harvesters need to assess the kind of dealer support they are likely to get when looking for harvesting equipment.