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Hay & Forage Grower
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Farmer-inventor Ted Lacey thinks he’s come up with an idea that
could save livestock producers big dollars by limiting the amount of hay
lost during the round-bale feeding process.
Lacey, of Trent, SD, calls his invention the “Hay Manager,” a
round-bale feeder that makes use of strategically placed metal rods to
keep a bale suspended above the ground while cattle are feeding. “In
other round-bale feeders, the hay sits on the ground,” explains Lacey.
“You can lose a lot of feed at the bottom of the bale to mold. And
when cattle pull out hay, it falls outside the feeder so there’s
waste. With the Hay Manager, the hay sits up off the ground. It stays
dry and there’s an area where the hay can fall back inside the feeder
when the cattle are eating.”
Based on results from using the feeder in his own cow-calf operation and
with units he’s made for neighbors over the years, Lacey figures it
can save 10% of the hay fed. “So if you’re paying $90 for a 1,400-lb
round bale, you’re saving $9,” he calculates. “If you feed a bale
a day, you’d save $900 over a 100-day period. That would almost pay
for the feeder. All the savings after that would go right to the bottom
line.”
This summer, Lacey launched a commercial venture to manufacture and
market the feeders. At his first major marketing event, a farm show in
Mitchell, SD, he sold more than a dozen of the units. “It was a good
start,” he says. “We’re still in our infancy.”
The units, made with 14-gauge metal, carry a price tag of $950. Lacey is
also planning to expand his product line to include feeders for calves,
horses and sheep. He has applied for a patent on his design. To learn
more, visit thehaymanager.com/
or phone Lacey at 605-321-9226 or 605-428-5122.
For those who get the September Dairy-Forage Nutrition issue of Hay &
Forage Grower, see the story, “Waste Not, Want Not,” page 32 of
that dairy-specific issue. It highlights the bale feeder.
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U.S. hay production for 2008 is down slightly from what it was a
year ago, according to USDA’s September Crop Production report. The
report, released last Friday, puts total hay production at nearly 148
million tons. Last year’s production was 150 million tons. A drop in
harvested hay acres played a role in that decrease.
This year, U.S. growers harvested hay on 60.4 million acres compared to
61.6 million acres in 2007. For alfalfa, USDA projects total production
of 70.9 million tons, compared to last year’s 72.5 million tons.
Alfalfa was harvested on 20.8 million acres this year and 21.7 million
acres in 2007.
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Whether you’re looking for proven
performance in a package that offers exceptional value or a tractor that
gives you the latest electronic conveniences and push button simplicity,
the new T6000 Series tractors from New Holland are built for you. T6000
tractors are a natural choice for haying operations and heavy loader
work. To learn more, see your local New Holland dealer or call
1-888-290-7377. www.newholland.com/na
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Look for hay supplies to remain tight and prices to stay high
through the end of winter, says Matt Diersen, ag economist at South
Dakota State University (SDSU). Diersen notes that, while stocks of all
types of hay are projected to be up slightly at the end of 2008 compared
to those of a year ago, hay disappearance (use) has also been on the
upswing.
“We have a higher number of dairy cows right now compared to last
year,” he says. “Also, hay remains relatively cheap compared to
alternative feedstuffs.” Diersen was one of the featured presenters
at SDSU’s “Webinar Session For Forage Producers” last week. To
see a recorded version of the webinar, which also includes presentations
on the U.S. economy and marketing strategies for beef calves, go to econ.sdstate.edu/costcontrol.htm.
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While alfalfa cut in late September or early October often survives
just fine, it may grow more slowly the following spring, notes
University of Nebraska extension forage specialist Bruce Anderson.
“During early fall, alfalfa plants detect that the amount of sunlight
is decreasing daily and that winter is approaching,” explains
Anderson. “In response, the plant growth process changes so the plant
can winterize itself. If you cut during this winterizing period, the
plant begins to regrow, reducing its ability to winterize as fully as it
would if it hadn’t been cut.”
He recommends taking the following steps to avoid potential problems:
- Let alfalfa grow longer in late summer to build its root
nutrient reserves. Allow at least six weeks between the previous cutting
and the cut that occurs during winterization. “This is even more
critical if the field gets cut five or more times this year,” says
Anderson.
- Select fields carefully. Avoid cutting old, thinning fields unless
you plan to rotate those fields to different crops next year. Young,
healthy alfalfa fields containing varieties with good winter survival
ratings are most likely to perform well even after a harvest during
winterization.
- Consider waiting to cut until winterization is over or plants are
nearly dormant (mid-October in Anderson’s area). The stress of
regrowth following this extra-late cutting usually is reduced.
For
more on forages from the University of Nebraska, visit
www.ianrpubs.unl.edu/.
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Construction and farm equipment maker Gehl Co. will be acquired by
its largest shareholder, Manitou of France, Gehl officials announced
last week. Manitou, a material handling equipment maker with 23
manufacturing and distribution subsidiaries, holds more than 14% of
Gehl's outstanding stock. Headquartered in West Bend, WI, Gehl was
founded in 1859. The company markets its products under the Gehl and
Mustang brand names. Manitou officials expect the current management
team at Gehl will be retained after the transaction is finalized in
mid-October.
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Diesel fuel prices continue to trickle downward from the high-water
level reached earlier in the year. According to the U.S. Energy
Information Administration, the average price (including taxes) for
retail, on-highway diesel fuel was $4.06/gal on Sept. 8. That’s down 6
cents from that of a week earlier, but still $1.14 higher than it was a
year ago. Regionally, prices were highest in New England at $4.31/gal
and lowest in the Midwest, Gulf Coast and Rocky Mountain areas at
$4.01/gal. To track weekly diesel prices, go to tonto.eia.doe.gov/oog/info/wohdp/diesel.asp.
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Kansas
Reduced acreage and challenging weather throughout the growing season
have crimped alfalfa supplies in Kansas, reports Steve Hessman, market
news reporter with the Kansas Department of Agriculture-USDA Market News
Service in Dodge City. “Supplies are tight, demand is strong and
prices are relatively high,” he says.
The major current concern is a stretch of cloudy, cool weather dating
back to mid-August. “We’ve had very few good haying days or good
growing days,” says Hessman. “The temperatures haven’t been all
that bad, but we haven’t been getting the sunshine we need for the
crop to reach full potential. We’re short enough on supply that
growers want to squeeze every ton they can out of the crop and the
weather just isn’t cooperating.”
Premium- and supreme-quality alfalfa hays are selling for $180-200/ton.
With the current supply shortfall, Hessman says prices will likely
remain high through winter. A softening in prices for other commodities
could lead to more alfalfa plantings next spring. "New alfalfa acres
would bring prices back down a bit," he says. "But until that happens,
prices will stay up there."
Supplies of other types of hay in Kansas aren’t quite as tight. Grass
hay supplies are more plentiful, and while prairie hay producers are
struggling to finish up with this year’s crop, the delayed harvest
should bump up supplies, he says.
Producers with hay to sell or pasture to rent or who need hay or pasture
can visit the Kansas Farm Bureau’s Hay and Pasture Exchange at www.kfb.org/hayandpasture.
To contact Hessman, phone 620-227-8881 or e-mail steve.hessman@kda.ks.gov.
Indiana
Fellow Midwestern hay growers will likely relate to Dennis Heaton’s
assessment of the 2008 growing season. “It’s been kind of a rough
year,” says Heaton, of Agri Venture Hay Farms, Russiaville, IN.
Record-breaking rainfalls wreaked havoc with Heaton’s cutting
schedules in May, June and July. But in August, the spigot turned off.
“Early in the season, it seemed like we had rain every two days,”
says Heaton. “It was tough to put up top-quality hay. Last month,
though, we only had one good rain shower. ”
Cool weather in early September has Heaton wondering about yield
prospects of a fourth cutting. “With the turn in the weather, yields
could be off by as much as 30%,” he says.
Heaton produces small square bales of alfalfa-grass hay on 160 acres.
He sells to horse owners throughout the U.S. and does his own trucking.
While high fuel prices have been grabbing newspaper headlines all
summer, Heaton says difficulty in arranging backhauls is an even bigger
headache. “Last year, we could pretty much pick and choose among loads
(to backhaul),” he says. “This year, the number of backhauls
available and the rates people are willing to pay have dropped off
tremendously. I’d say it’s less than half of what it was a year ago.
It says a lot about the overall economy.”
Heaton still has high-quality hay and baleage for sale this year.
Contact him by phoning 765-883-5033 or via e-mail at hayman5033@aol.com.
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With wetter conditions returning to parts of Florida following
drought earlier in the season, forage producers need to be alert for a
buildup of fall forage worms, including grass loopers and fall
armyworms, says Yoana Newman, University of Florida extension forage
specialist. If you’re scouting during the day, says Newman, look for
loopers and armyworms to fall off plants and onto the ground. Loopers
pupate by folding blades of grass to form cocoons. “You can see the
tips of the leaves turned over where the looper caterpillars pupate,”
says Newman.
Armyworms pupate in the soil. For a chart showing common insecticide
treatments for pasture and hayfield caterpillars, go to
alachua.ifas.ufl.edu/pdfs/agriculture.
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The National Hay Association’s (NHA’s) four-day annual meeting
in Oak Brook, IL, will literally cover a lot of ground. The meeting
starts Sept. 17 with a tour of Fair Oaks Dairy near Fair Oaks, IN. The
next day, there are tours of Tempel Farms, which breeds and trains
Lipizzan horses in Wadsworth, IL, and of Case-IH headquarters in Racine,
WI. On Sept. 19, the agenda includes a visit to the Chicago Board of
Trade, while the last day of the conference will feature a presentation
on hay management in livestock feeding operations and a panel discussion
on Roundup Ready alfalfa.
Founded in 1895, NHA represents nearly 600 commercial hay growers,
dealers and brokers along with representatives from associated service
businesses. For more information, visit www.nationalhay.org.
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Sept. 30-Oct. 4 -- World Dairy Expo, Alliant Energy Center,
Madison, WI. Visit www.worlddairyexpo.com.
Oct. 14 -- Cell Grazing: What, Why And How Webinar, 6-7 pm PT.
Free from Ranching For Profit School. To register, visit www2.gotomeeting.com/register/431268188.
Oct. 14-16 -- Southeastern Hay Contest, Sunbelt Agriculture
Exposition, Moultrie, GA. For guidelines and entry form, visit www.caes.uga.edu/commodities/fieldcrops/forages/events/SEHC/SEHC.html.
Oct. 16 -- Arkansas Extension Clover Establishment Field Day,
Larry Wells farm, Drasco, AR. Contact Cleburne County Extension at
501-362-2524.
Oct. 23 -- Arkansas Extension Clover Establishment Field Day,
Steve Swenson farm, Shirley, AR. Contact Van Buren County Extension at
501- 745-7117.
Oct. 23 -- Kentucky Grazing Conference, Fayette County extension
office, Lexington. Learn more at www.uky.edu/Ag/Forage/.
Oct. 31-Nov. 2 -- Virginia Equine Extravaganza, Richmond Raceway,
Richmond. Learn more at www.equineextravaganza.com.
Nov. 6-7 -- 2008 BEEF Quality Summit, sponsored by
BEEF magazine, Antlers Hilton Hotel, Colorado Springs, CO. Visit
beefconference.com/.
Nov. 13-16 -- Massachusetts Equine Affaire, Eastern States
Exposition Center, West Springfield. Visit www.equineaffaire.com.
Dec. 2-4 -- California Alfalfa & Forage Symposium And Western Alfalfa
Seed Conference, Town & Country Resort and Hotel, San Diego. Learn
more at alfalfa.ucdavis.edu/+symposium/2008/.
Dec. 5-6 -- 2008 Missouri Livestock Symposium, Kirksville.
Programs for horse, beef cattle, sheep, meat goat and forage producers,
and trade show. Details at missourilivestock.com or call
Bruce Lane at 660-665-9866 or Garry Mathes at 660-341-6625.
Jan. 15-16, 2009 -- Southwest Hay And Forage Conference, Ruidoso,
NM. Contact Gina Sterrett at 575-626-5677 or Justin Boswell at
575-840-9908.
Jan. 21-22, 2009 -- Heart Of America Grazing Conference,
Columbus, IN. Contact Jason Tower at 812-678-4427 or towerj@purdue.edu.
Feb. 3-4, 2009 -- Idaho Hay And Forage Conference, Burley. Call
Glenn Shewmaker at 208-736-3608.
Feb. 3-4, 2009 -- Mid-America Alfalfa Expo, Buffalo County
Fairgrounds, Kearney, NE. Contact Barb Kinnan at 800-743-1649 or nebalf@cozadtel.net.
Feb. 19, 2009 -- Kentucky Alfalfa Conference, Cave City
Convention Center. E-mail glacefie@kyu.edu or raysmith1@uky.edu.
June 21-23, 2009 -- American Forage & Grassland Council Annual
Conference, Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, Grand Rapids, MI. Call
800-944-2342 or email info@afgc.org.
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