|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
USDA expects production of alfalfa and alfalfa mixtures in the U.S.
to reach 72.5 million tons this year, a 2% increase from last year’s
total.
Based on Aug. 1 conditions, yields are projected to average 3.49
tons/acre, up 0.14 ton from the 2010 figure and the second-highest yield
on record. In 1999, yields averaged 3.51 tons/acre.
The harvested area is forecast at 20.7 million acres. That’s unchanged
from USDA’s June forecast, but down 2% from 2009 acreage.
Higher-than-normal precipitation in many alfalfa hay growing regions
goes a long way in explaining the expectations of higher yields. The
largest yield increase, to a record 4.2 tons/acre, is forecast in
Indiana. Arizona and Nebraska are also forecasting record-high alfalfa
yields. Other states with notable increases include Minnesota, New York
and North Dakota. States forecasting lower yields than in 2009 include
Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, Texas, Virginia, Washington and Wyoming.
For other hay, USDA is forecasting production of 81.4 million tons, up
7% from last year’s number. If realized, it will be the second-highest
production on record.
Yields are expected to average 2.09 tons/acre, up 0.11 ton. That would
be a record-high yield, surpassing the 2.06 tons/acre of 2004. Harvested
area is forecast at 38.9 million acres, unchanged from the June forecast
but up 1% from the 2009 figure.
Producers in California, Nebraska, Louisiana, Montana, North Dakota and
South Dakota are expecting record-high yields. The largest expected
increase is in Texas, up 0.9 ton/acre. Texas producers are trying to
replenish hay stocks after low production levels the last two years. The
largest forecast yield reduction compared to last year is in Virginia.
USDA expects other hay yields in that state to be down 0.40 ton due to
hot and dry weather.
See
the entire Aug. 12 Crop Production report from USDA.
|
Due to the severe drought affecting most of the state, the Virginia
Department of Transportation and Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles
have granted temporary waivers of registration and license requirements
for carriers transporting emergency supplies of hay and/or animal feed.
Waivers for normal weight and width restrictions are also being granted.
Unlike previous years, the 2010 exemptions extend statewide, not just to
localities designated as primary and contiguous natural disaster areas
by USDA. The exemptions will remain in effect until Oct. 6 or whenever
the drought crisis has abated.
|
Glenn Obermann of Monett, MO, recently captured Grand Champion
honors at this year’s 2010 Ozark Empire Fair Hay Show in Springfield,
MO.
Obermann’s entry, from third-crop alfalfa cut June 29, tested 22%
crude protein and 70% total digestible nutrients (TDN) with a 204
relative feed value (RFV) score (all values on a dry matter basis). This
was Obermann’s first championship ribbon in the contest.
“The alfalfa class was especially tough as seven of the nine entries
had relative feed values of 158 or higher with an average crude protein
value of 22%,” says Eldon Cole, a University of Missouri Extension
livestock specialist who coordinated the hay show.
An orchardgrass entry submitted by Zach Harter, Republic, MO, was the
reserve champion. The entry was from a second cutting taken July 2. The
lab analysis showed 15.6% crude protein, 60% TDN and 113 RFV.
Get
more details about the show/see individual category winners.
|
 Know where to find the best alfalfa seed?
Isn’t it obvious? Syngenta alfalfa varieties offer top yield, high
forage quality and exceptional persistence. Plus all the varieties you
need, available through your Garst seed advisor, Golden Harvest dealer
or NK retailer. Contact them today to place your order.
The Syngenta logo is a trademark of a Syngenta Group
Company.
|
Interseeding grasses into thinning alfalfa fields is a way to
extend the life of stands, says University of Nebraska Extension forage
specialist Bruce Anderson.
While orchardgrass is the grass most commonly interseeded with alfalfa,
other grasses like endophyte-free tall fescue, meadow brome, festulolium
and wheatgrasses also can be used. “In fact, if the field will be used
as pasture, a mixture of several grasses may be best since it adds
diversity to animals’ diets,” says Anderson.
He notes that interseeding after a mid-August to early September hay
harvest can work well if there’s adequate moisture to start the new
seedlings. “Alfalfa regrows more slowly this time of year, so it
won’t compete with your new grasses as aggressively,” he says.
“Still, if your alfalfa is relatively thick, you probably will need to
take another cutting in about four weeks, or as soon as the alfalfa
starts to form a full canopy. This allows sunlight to continue to reach
new seedlings below the alfalfa.
“Next spring you will need to judge how well-established your new
grasses have become. If they seem a little weak, cut hay real early to
again open the canopy for better light penetration. After that you
should be able to hay or rotationally graze as you choose.”
|
Indiana
A wet growing season so far this year has put Cambridge City alfalfa
grower Eric Miles about two weeks behind on his harvest schedule. With
weather delays, he’s just getting ready to start third cutting.
Typically, he’d be getting ready for a fourth cutting soon.
Even so, Miles has been satisfied overall with the crop. “We did have
some hay that wasn’t worth putting up because of the rain,” he says.
“But we were also able to put up some very-good-quality hay.”
Miles’ alfalfa is packaged in 3 x 3 x 8’ bales sold mostly to
Indiana dairies. Currently, good-quality dairy hay (RFV of 140-160) in
his area is fetching $120-150/ton. That’s up slightly from year-ago
prices, and Miles thinks prices could climb a little higher this fall.
“There’s a lot of hay out there,” he says. “But with all of the
rain we’ve had this year, there’s only going to be so much good
hay.”
Income prospects for dairy producers are the big unknown. “Things seem
to be a little better than they were a year ago,” he says. “But milk
prices have been stagnant, and they’re also seeing grain prices go up.
That adds some variability to the whole situation. Like everybody else,
dairy farmers only have so many dollars to spend.”
Miles also baled up 700 acres of wheat straw this year. He buys behind
the combine, then resells to dairies looking for a low-cost ration
ingredient and/or bedding material. Currently, straw is selling for
$80-120/ton, but Miles thinks the price could strengthen later in the
year.
“There wasn’t as much wheat harvested here this year,” he says.
“Wheat growers had problems with low test weights and mycotoxins. And
in neighboring states like Illinois and Ohio, there weren’t as many
acres planted this past year. Right now it looks like the straw market
could be tight. We’ll just have to wait and see what the story is in
January.”
To contact Miles, phone 765-256-0443 or email milesfarm@agristar.net.
Wisconsin
This summer’s weird and whacky weather has also played havoc with hay
cutting schedules in south-central Wisconsin, says Joe Bollman,
agriculture agent for University of Wisconsin Extension in Columbia
County.
“We’ve got some people working on finishing up second crop and other
people just getting going on their fourth crop,” says Bollman.
Frequent rainfall was the major issue. “From Memorial Day forward, we
had fairly steady rains, once or twice a week. In mid-July, we had 10”
of rain in a nine-day period. To say the least, getting hay and haylage
dry has been a little bit of a challenge for a lot of people.”
On the upside, yields of first- and second-crop hay were pretty good.
“People did lose some hay in field low spots during the July rains,”
he says. “But overall we’re sitting pretty well on supplies coming
out of the summer.”
And even with the weather challenges, some growers were able to put up
quality hay. “We had a pretty good window for making hay early. People
who were able to get going with first crop caught another window right
about the time second crop was ready for harvest. It was a matter of
timing.”
To contact Bollman, phone 608-742-9680 or email joe.bollman@ces.uwex.edu.
|
Get in it, and WIN it! Enter the World Forage Superbowl and WIN
Cash Prizes.
The World Forage Analysis Superbowl is seeking entries for the 2010
contest. This year entrants will walk away with over $20,000 in cash
prizes.
Contest entries MUST BE RECEIVED by Thursday, September 2,
2010. Participants may enter as often and in as many categories as
desired. This year World Dairy Expo is September 28 - October 2.
Download
an entry form here.
|
With summer slipping away, it’s time to be on the lookout for
fall armyworms in pastures and hayfields, says Becky Muller, agriculture
agent for University of Tennessee Extension in Shelby County.
Muller notes that damage from armyworms in Tennessee is most likely to
occur from August through October when populations are at their highest.
When scouting for armyworms, she recommends watching for bird flocks
feeding in pastures or hayfields and checking in and around areas with
dead grass. “If no caterpillars are seen on the grass, look in the
thatch at the base of the plants for larvae and green pellets of larval
excrement about the size of bahia grass seeds. In fields wet with dew,
you can find caterpillars stuck on tires of vehicles that have been
driven through an infested field.”
According to Muller, a population of three or more fall armyworms per
square foot is a reasonable treatment threshold. “Timing is
important,” she says. “If infestations are detected too late, the
damage may already have been done. Small fall armyworms are much easier
to kill than larger ones.”
Several insecticides are labeled for treatment. She recommends making
applications early or late in the day, because fall armyworm larvae are
most active at these times. Mowing is a treatment alternative for
producers who don’t want to use insecticides.
|
A Sept. 2 workshop at Purdue University will offer farmers the
opportunity to learn how to get the highest-quality hay or silage from
their forage production systems.
The Purdue Forage Management Day workshop is scheduled to run from 8
a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Agronomy Center for Research and Education in West
Lafayette, IN.
“Our focus is on forage production, primarily in the Midwest, from the
initial steps of selecting your seed to the proper methods of storing
your crop, and many topics in between,” says Corey Gerber, director of
Purdue’s Diagnostic Training and Research Center. “Seed quality,
planter calibration and, depending on the environment you’re in,
forage-crop selection, are just a few examples.”
Registration costs $80. Those interested should register at least two
days in advance. Get a
registration form.
|
University of California Extension will host an Alfalfa & Forage
Field Day at the Kearney Research & Extension Center near Parlier, CA,
on Thursday, Aug. 26.
Featured at the event will be a variety trial tour, along with a spray
nozzle demonstration and weed control discussion. Other presentations on
the agenda include Roundup Ready alfalfa (an update), winter cereal
production, alfalfa disease management and an overview of 50 years of
alfalfa research.
For more information, call Carol Frate at 559-684-3314.
|
Aug. 24 -- Northeast Minnesota Forage And Grassland Council Farm
Tour/Summer Field Day, Rick Johnson farm, Aitkin. Get info.
Aug. 24 -- University of Wisconsin Agronomy/Soils Field Day,
UW-Arlington Ag Research Station, Arlington. Phone 608-262-1390 or
608-262-0485.
Aug. 24 -- Equine Forage Nutrition And Facilities Management Hands-On
Field Day, 5-8:30 p.m., University of Minnesota Equine Center & Plot
Area, St. Paul. Phone 612-625-6776. Register
online.
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 2010, 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.
|
|
