|
|
Hay & Forage Grower
USDA
Hay Prices
Weather
Send Questions & Comments To...
Rick Mooney, Editor, eHay Weekly, at
hfg@hayandforage.com
For information on Hay & Forage Grower, contact:
Neil Tietz, Editor, ntietz@hayandforage.com
or
Fae Holin,
Managing Editor, fholin@hayandforage.com
For specific information from past issues of eHay Weekly and
Hay & Forage Grower, click on hayandforage.com, and use the search
function in the upper right-hand corner of the homepage.
|
|
|
|
By Fae Holin, Managing Editor, Hay & Forage
Grower
Neal Martin and colleagues have two goals in mind for redesigning
alfalfa for dairy cattle: reduce the amount of protein degraded in
silage and in the rumen, and increase the availability of carbohydrates
in plant cells. Martin, director of the U.S. Dairy Forage Research
Center (USDFRC) in Madison, WI, spoke at the recent American Forage and
Grassland Council meeting in Grand Rapids, MI.
Researchers are looking at how red clover, compared to alfalfa, loses
much less protein when ensiled. One redesign technique would be to
insert a red clover gene into alfalfa and then add a compound (to mimic
the substrate activity present in red clover) to the alfalfa to
accomplish protein savings – enough to demonstrate that protein
degraded in alfalfa parallels that of red clover, Martin says. A second
avenue would be to modify alfalfa so that it will make tannins –
natural substances found in some forages such as birdsfoot trefoil.
Natural tannins found in birdsfoot trefoil bind to and protect protein
during ensiling and while it’s in the cow’s rumen.
Click
here to read the entire story.
|
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
|
eHay Weekly continues to receive responses to our stories
about the struggles hay growers face in getting timely payments from
buyers –“Bilked
Hay Grower Turns To Credit Cards” (June 30) and “Deadbeat
Hay Buyers: Readers Respond” (July 7).
One reader suggested we were only looking at one side of the issue:
“Do not forget the deadbeat hay seller,” this reader wrote. “The
ones (who) bring bottom bales that are more manure than hay – outside
of load looks good, but bales down middle totally different. (Hay) comes
in middle of night and needs to be unloaded because (the seller) has
junk. And they get paid.”
More of the responses, though, dealt with the importance of shopping
around among credit card processors to get the best deals on fees and/or
service and on some of the potential pitfalls hay sellers should be
aware of if they decide to begin accepting credit cards for payment. For
example, one reader wrote: “Sellers should be aware that credit card
transactions can be charged back by the buyer to the seller. The seller
should verify all pertinent information when taking a credit card for
payment to insure that payment from the credit card issuer will have
less probability of being charged back by verifying that the card holder
is who is on the credit card. Even this does not entirely eliminate the
possibility of a charge back.”
Bottom line: Getting set up to accept credit cards may be a good
business move for some hay sellers; not such a good fit for others.
Determining whether it’s right for you will require doing some
homework. Start by talking to people you already know who are familiar
with the ins and outs of credit card processing – your lender,
accountant, local retail merchants, etc. You can also find all kinds of
information about this topic online. Two offerings we found particularly
educational and informative are available by clicking
here and/or here.
|
The current downturn in the dairy economy could have long-term
consequences for alfalfa growers in the southwestern U.S., according to
Robert Hagevoort, extension dairy specialist with the New Mexico State
University (NMSU) Agricultural Science Center at Clovis.
Writing in this month’s edition of NMSU’s Alfalfa Market
News, Hagevoort notes many dairymen in eastern New Mexico and West
Texas over the last several years have resorted to buying more land to
grow their own silage. That's to lessen their dependence on purchased
alfalfa. Hagevort says the trend accelerated when prices for prime hay
topped $200/ton. “Currently, every dairyman I know has reduced the
portion of alfalfa hay in the rations by as much as their nutritionists
feel comfortable reducing it and replacing it with alternatives such as
wheat silage, corn silage, green chop, or any other available forage
source that may be cheaper than hay at the time.”
Hagevoort says the trend may not be reversible “unless we completely
run out of irrigation water or the cost of irrigation water becomes so
astronomical that purchasing outside forage such as alfalfa hay becomes
a more affordable alternative.”
“Even at $140-150, ration balancing software is going to recommend
quality silage put in at a cost of production over quality alfalfa hay
for most groups of animals on the dairy. In other words, demand is down
and may remain down for the foreseeable future, even if the recovery (in
the dairy industry) does take place.”
|
A Canadian beef industry group is warning cow-calf producers in
Saskatchewan to expect tight hay supplies during the winter of 2009-10.
"Saskatchewan producers who are starting to cut their hay crops will be
disappointed with yields this year," says Paul Jefferson, vice president
of the Western Beef Development Centre. "Hay yields depend on spring
weather conditions, and this year's cold and dry April-through-June
weather will result in low hay yields."
Applying historical weather and hay yield data to the last three months
of weather data from 16 sites throughout the province, Jefferson has
developed a statistical model predicting hay yields as low as 40% of
normal in some areas. A short carryover supply coming out of the long,
cold winter and high trucking costs that will deter hay movement over
long distances will compound the problem created by this year’s
production shortfall.
To see a full report on Jefferson’s hay predictions for the province
in 2009, go to www.wbdc.sk.ca/ and
click on Saskatchewan Hay Yield Outlook 2009-10.
|
 Use
our site to search for forage production tips! Plus, read what other
growers are doing to stay profitable.
|
- Concerned about the spread of spotted knapweed in
southwestern and south-central Missouri, several state agencies are
focusing on biological controls as a solution. To see an overview of the
problem and the control efforts suggested by University of Missouri
extension agronomist Tim Schnakenberg, click
here. For additional information about the invasive weed, click
here.
- The Iowa Department of Agriculture is encouraging hay and straw
producers in the state to register on the Iowa Hay and Straw Directory.
The directory lists Iowa growers who have hay and straw for sale, as
well as organizations and businesses associated with promoting and
marketing quality hay and straw. Farmers interested in listing will find
an application at idalsdata.org/IowaData/hayAndStraw.cfm.
- Lingering drought continues to severely stress crops, livestock,
agricultural producers and rural communities in many parts of Texas.
"Range and pasture conditions continue to decline with the high heat and
dry conditions," says Isaac Cavazos, AgriLife Extension agent for
McMullen County (between Laredo and San Antonio). "Forage supply is
declining and stock tank water levels remain at critically low
levels.” More information on drought in the state can be found at agrilife.tamu.edu/drought/.
- The Integrated Pest Management program at Michigan State University
is running a series of 10 articles on the fundamentals of bioenergy on
its Web site. You can check out the series (“Part 3: Fossil Fuels”
was posted late last week) at ipmnews.msu.edu/fieldcrop/.
|
Illinois
A combination of winterkill over the past several years and wet, cool
weather early this growing season has held back hay yields in the
Decatur area, says grower Andrew Clarkson. “Our production on first
crop was about two-thirds of normal,” says Clarkson, who puts up small
square bales of alfalfa-grass hay primarily for local horse owners.
First cutting in the area was delayed about two weeks due to frequent
rains. Ordinarily, Clarkson takes first crop off just before Memorial
Day. This year, he wasn’t able to get going on harvest until the
second week of June. Looking ahead, he figures he’ll start on second
crop next week or the week after. “This year, we’re seeing some
leafhopper pressure that we usually don’t have to deal with,” he
says.
Clarkson adds prices have dropped off from last year. He’s charging
$3/bale (in the field) for first cutting and will likely bump that up by
$1/bale for second cutting. Last year, at the top of the market, buyers
were paying $5-6/bale. “There’s cheaper forage out there, so we had
to drop our prices to be more competitive,” he says.
Hay growing is a supplemental business for Clarkson, who works full
time in the parts department of a spray application equipment company.
He currently puts up hay on 20 acres of his 80-acre farm and also does
custom baling. His goal long-term is to move away from corn and soybeans
and increase hay acres. He sees a niche market developing for alfalfa
hay among local customers. “I’ve heard from a few people that
they’re not seeing the kind of quality they’d like. Many of them are
finding it difficult to find good alfalfa that hasn’t been made using
a preservative. Horse owners can be fussy about that. There could be an
opportunity in that.”
New for Clarkson this year is his own farm Web site – www.clarksonfarms.com. The site
was designed by one of his hay customers. “We did some horse
trading,” says Clarkson. “It’s pretty basic. And I’m still
learning how to edit on the site. Eventually, as the business grows, it
will help me stay in touch with my existing customers and also attract
new customers. So far the response has been pretty good.”
To contact Clarkson, phone 217-972-9640 or email andrew@clarksonfarms.com.
New Hampshire
Wet weather has slowed hay harvest considerably at Branch Hill Farm near
Milton Mills. “We had nearly non-stop rain in June,” reports hay
grower Cynthia Wyatt. “That kept us out of the field and we still have
a lot of wet areas we need to stay out of until they dry off.”
The farm puts up 100 acres of grass-legume hay in small square bales
each year. The primary market is made up of local “backyard” horse
owners. “Typically, first cutting gets under way in mid-June,” says
Wyatt. “But this year, we made our first bale on July 6. If this kind
of weather keeps up all summer, it will be a disaster. Hopefully, it
will be better in July and August.”
Wyatt expects the problems created by all the wet weather will likely
put pressure on the hay supply throughout the state. She’s raised her
price accordingly – from $3.50/bale last year to $3.75 (in the field)
now. “We think it’s a very fair price,” Wyatt says, adding she’s
seen prices as high as $5.50/bale quoted in the local market bulletin.
To contact Wyatt, phone 603-473-2535 or email cinny_wyatt@siemon.com.
|
While aphids are considered secondary pests in alfalfa, they can
occasionally surpass treatment guidelines, notes Erin Hodgson, Iowa
State University extension entomologist. Hodgson recommends scouting for
aphids using either a sweep net or direct stem counts. Count aphids on
at least 30 stems or take at least 20 sweeps per field, and average the
number of aphids per stem or sweep. For large fields, consider sampling
multiple areas to ensure adequate coverage. To learn more about aphids
in alfalfa and treatment thresholds, click
here.
|
The University of Tennessee Research and Education Center at
Greeneville will hold its annual Tobacco and Forage Field Day on
Thursday, July 16.
Speakers on the forage tour, held concurrently with a tobacco tour, will
discuss alternative materials for fertilizing hay and pastures and how
these products can fit into a nutrient management program. Visitors will
have the opportunity to see which of the available warm-season annuals
could integrate well into their forage systems, and to walk through the
forage variety trials planted at the center. A trade show featuring
private vendors and educational and informational displays will also be
part of the event.
Directions to the center and a complete program are available online at
greeneville.tennessee.edu/.
For additional information, phone 423-638-6532.
|
This Friday (July 17) is the registration deadline for the upcoming
Central Pennsylvania Biomass Energy Production Workshop. The workshop is
scheduled for July 21 at Penn State University’s Agricultural Sciences
and Industries Building in University Park.
Along with presentations on warm-season grass establishment, markets for
biomass energy crops, financial resources for local producers and
cellulosic ethanol production, the workshop will feature a tour of
biomass energy projects at Penn State. There will be a demonstration of
a mobile pelleting unit for switchgrass and also tours of switchgrass,
coastal panic grass, forage sorghum and corn stover residue trial plots.
Registration fee for the event, sponsored by the Headwaters Resource
Conservation and Development Council, is $20. For more information,
phone 814-375-1372, ext. 4.
|
July 16 -- Mid-South Ag Technology Field Day, Agricenter
International, Memphis, TN. Contact Hillary Spain at 901-866-1800.
July 23 -- University Of Kentucky All Commodity Field Day, UK
Research and Education Center, Princeton. Visit ces.ca.uky.edu/wkrec.
July 23 -- Alfalfa & Grass Forage Plot Day, 22022 Walden Ave.,
Hutchinson, MN. Contact the McLeod County extension office at
320-587-0770.
July 29 -- Muskingum SWCD 2009 Forage Field Day, Kreager’s
Farm, Chandlersville, OH. Phone 740-454-2027 or email kylene.newman@muskingumswcd.org.
July 29-30 -- U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center Getting More From
Forages Conference, Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center,
Madison, WI. Visit www.dfrc.ars.usda.gov/forages/Program.html.
July 31 -- 2009 Illinois Forage Expo, Meier Farms, Ridott. Go to
web.extension.uiuc.edu/stephenson/index.html
or contact Dale Baird, University of Illinois extension educator, at dlbaird@illinois.edu.
Aug. 1-2 -- Florida Small Farms And Alternative Enterprises
Conference, Osceola County Heritage Park, Kissimmee. Go to smallfarms.ifas.ufl.edu/floridasmallfarmsconference/index.htm.
Aug. 27 -- 2009 Arlington Agronomy And Soils Field Day,
University of Wisconsin Agricultural Research Station, Arlington.
Download the program at ipcm.wisc.edu/LinkClick.
Sept. 2 -- Wisconsin Forage and Tillage Expo, D and D Hawkins
Farm, Chippewa Falls. Phone the Chippewa County UW-Extension office at
715-726-7950.
Sept. 17-19 -- National Hay Association Convention, Cadillac
Jack’s Gaming Resort, Deadwood, SD. Contact Don Kieffer at
800-707-0014 or visit www.nationalhay.org.
Sept. 22-23 -- Georgia Grazing School, University of Georgia
Livestock Instruction Arena, Athens. Details coming soon at www.georgiaforages.com/.
Sept. 29-Oct. 3 -- World Dairy Expo, Alliant Energy Center,
Madison, WI. Visit www.worlddairyexpo.com.
For a complete list of upcoming events, click here.
|
|
|
To unsubscribe from this newsletter go to: Unsubscribe
To subscribe to this newsletter, go to: Subscribe
You are subscribed to this newsletter as #email#
To get this newsletter in a different format (Text or HTML),
or to change your e-mail address, please visit your profile
page to change your delivery preferences.
For questions concerning delivery of this newsletter, please contact our
Customer Service Department at:
Hay and Forage Grower
A Penton Media publication
US Toll Free: 866-505-7173
International: 847-763-9504
Email:hayandforage@pbinews.com
Penton Media | 249 W. 17th Street | New York, NY 10011
Copyright 2009, Penton Media. All rights reserved. This article is
protected by United States copyright and other intellectual property
laws and may not be reproduced, rewritten, distributed, re-disseminated,
transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast, directly or indirectly,
in any medium without the prior written permission of Penton Media.
|
|
