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Alfalfa
Symposium Takes Balanced Look At Roundup Ready
The 2008 National Alfalfa Symposium, set for Feb. 4-5,
will feature an in-depth discussion looking at all aspects of the
Roundup Ready alfalfa debate. Mark McCaslin, president of Forage
Genetics International, will give an update on the transgenic crop,
including a review of the legal proceedings and ongoing regulatory
process at USDA/APHIS. McCaslin will also discuss the potential for new
biotech traits in alfalfa and the importance of science-based
coexistence strategies to insure farmer choice.
Other Roundup Ready Alfalfa Face-Off participants will include Phillip
Geertson, whose Geertson Seed Farms, Adrian, OR, has been producing
alfalfa seed for 68 years. The lead plaintiff in the case against
Monsanto and Forage Genetics, Geertson will discuss his concerns about
potential risks posed by genetically modified alfalfa. Will Rostov,
senior attorney for the Center for Food Safety and lead attorney in the
Roundup Ready alfalfa lawsuit, will provide perspective on the legal
implications related to the debate. Erik Freese will bring a hay
grower's point of view to the discussion, having been one of the first
growers in the Dixon, CA, area to use Roundup Ready varieties of both
alfalfa and corn. Symposium attendees will be able to ask questions to
clarify their understanding of the issues.
The face-off will take place Feb. 4 during the first day of the
Symposium. The event will be held at the Ramada Inn and Conference
Center in Kearney, NE, in conjunction with the Nebraska Alfalfa
Marketing Association's Mid-America Alfalfa Expo, Feb. 5-6.
For details on the symposium schedule or to register, visit alfalfasymposium.com, or call
800-722-5334, ext. 14695. For information on the expo, visit alfalfaexpo.com/.
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Is
A Midwestern Drought On The Horizon?
It could be a dry year for growing hay in the Midwest,
says Elwynn Taylor, Iowa State University extension climatologist. He
says La Niña weather patterns and more than a 19-year lapse since
the last major drought, in 1988, suggest a drought is likely this year.
History shows the average time span between major droughts in the
Midwest is about 19 years, Taylor notes. The dry conditions in the
Southeast could also be an indicator of what's to come. Of the 17 major
droughts in the Midwestern U.S. the past 100 years, 16 were preceded by
a major drought in the Southeast, says Taylor.
He provides links to a number of interesting weather sites, in addition
to answering questions and offering commentary online at www.extension.iastate.edu/weather.htm.
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I-29
Dairy Conference Set For Jan. 30-Feb. 1
The third-annual I-29 Dairy Conference will investigate
the nutrition connection to good reproductive performance during each of
three identical sessions set for Jan. 30-Feb. 1. South Dakota State
University, Iowa State University, the University of Minnesota, the
University of Nebraska and their extension services are hosting the
annual conference.
The Jan. 30 session will be held at the Days Inn, 2500 E. Sixth St.,
Brookings, SD. The Jan. 31 event will be held at Northwest Iowa
Community College, Sheldon, IA, and on Feb. 1 it will be held at
Minnesota West Community & Technical College, Pipestone.
Each program will begin with registration at 9:30 a.m. and end around
3:45 p.m. Other topics will address economic opportunities to improve
reproduction, and genetics and fertility in high-producing dairy cows.
The cost is $20 per person and includes lunch.
Contact Valerie Denison at 605-688-4116 to register by Jan. 25 or for
more information on the conference.
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Texas
Dry conditions are stressing Texas pastures and winter
pasture crops, creating an increasing need for supplemental cattle
feeding in parts of the state, according to the Texas A&M University
AgriLife Extension Service.
The bumper summer hay crop is being fed at a record pace because of poor
range conditions in the state's Rolling Plains region. With little
winter wheat and pastures that are beginning to play out, producers are
being forced to sell calves earlier than expected or send them to
feedlots. Yet hay inventories remain high in the area and very small
quantities of hay are changing hands.
Southeastern Texas hay growers are searching for fertilizer alternatives
due to high prices. Temperatures are in the 40-degree range, which is
warmer than normal for the season. Almost no rainfall and persistent
winds are stressing winter pastures here, forcing producers to begin
feeding livestock. Hay consumption has increased and producers are
putting out large amounts of supplements. Numerous wildfires have been
reported.
In northern Texas, hay movement is sluggish and stagnant. Some dairymen
are prepared to green chop wheat and oats. Wheat has emerged in this
area and has responded favorably to good growing conditions, but it and
other small grains could use more rain. Rain and pasture conditions are
fair, but several grass fires have been reported during the past two
weeks.
Conditions are dry to very dry in the Coastal Bend area. Cool-season
grasses and clovers are growing well. Some producers were applying
fertilizer to winter pastures last week, but many continue to wait for
rain. Livestock producers are supplementing herds with hay and
protein.
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Wisconsin
A good supply of hay is available in the Two Rivers,
WI, area, says Joey Ney, who has horse hay to sell. But prices are
rising as more requests come in from the South. "It is getting expensive
to ship hay too far right now because fuel costs are adding from $1.85
to $2/mile to the cost of the hay," Ney notes.
Last year was a good one for hay production, he says. "We got rainfall
when we needed it in our immediate area. North of the Rockford/Beloit
area we could make good hay. South of that area producers had more
challenges from either the wet spring or the dry summer."
In addition to raising his own hay, Ney custom bales for local dairy
farmers and horse owners. He sells some of his hay through brokers, but
prefers to work directly with end users whenever possible.
Contact Ney at 920-683-2014.
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Ohio
Forage Council Meets Feb. 8
Drought recovery strategies will be discussed during
the Ohio Forage and Grassland Council annual meeting and conference on
Feb. 8. The event will begin at 8:30 a.m., at Ohio Department of
Agriculture in Reynoldsburg. Mark Sulc, Ohio State University (OSU)
extension forage specialist, will talk about integrating cover crop
grazing followed by corn silage. David Barker, OSU agronomist, will
explore the use of rising plate meters and forage inventory. Additional
presenters include keynote speaker Ray Smith, University of Kentucky
extension forage specialist, and Bob Hendershot, Ohio Natural Resources
Conservation Service grazing specialist. Producer speakers include: Alan
Kozak, dairy grazier; Curt Stivison, beef producer; Mark Scarpitti, goat
producer; and John Anderson, sheep producer.
The conference will cost $30 for Ohio Forage and Grassland Council
members and $40 for non-members. Registration is due by Feb. 5. For more
information, contact Leah Miller at 740-545.6349.
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Calendar
Jan. 25-26 -- New York Feeder's Conference and
Winter Management Meeting, Syracuse. Contact Mike Baker at
607-255-5923 or email mjb28@cornell.edu.
Jan. 27-Feb. 1 -- Joint Society For Range Management And American
Forage And Grassland Council Conference, Louisville, KY. Visit www.rangelands.org/events.shtml.
Jan. 29-30 -- Midwest Forage Association 2008 Joint Symposium And
Annual Meeting, Howard Johnson Hotel and Conference Center,
Wisconsin Dells, WI. Held in conjunction with Wisconsin Custom Operators
and Professional Nutrient Applicators of Wisconsin annual meetings.
Learn more online at www.midwestforage.org, or call
the Midwest Forage Association at 651-484-3888.
Feb. 4 -- Range & Pasture Management Workshop, Red Lion Canyon
Springs Hotel, Twin Falls, ID. Sponsored by University of Idaho
department of rangeland ecology and management, and the USDA/ARS Forage
and Range Research Lab. Contact Mary Fenwick at 208-736-3605 or mfenwick@uidaho.edu. Visit www.idahohay.com to download a
brochure and agenda.
Feb. 4-6 -- 2008 National Alfalfa Symposium And Mid-America Alfalfa
Expo, Kearney, NE, sponsored by Hay & Forage Grower and the
Nebraska Alfalfa Marketing Association. Visit www.alfalfasymposium.com and
alfalfaexpo.com.
Feb. 6-7 -- Saskatchewan Beef & Forage Symposium, Saskatoon Inn
Hotel & Conference Center, 2002 Airport Drive, Saskatoon. Contact Murray
Feist at 306-694-3492 or mfeist@agr.gov.sk.ca, or John
McKinnon at 306-966-4137 or john.mckinnon@usask.ca. Visit
www.saskforage.ca/.
Feb. 6-9 -- Cattle Industry Annual Convention and Trade Show,
Reno, NV. Learn more at www.beefusa.org, or call 303-694-0305.
Feb. 8 -- Ohio Forage & Grassland Council Meeting, Ohio
Department of Agriculture Bromfield Building, Reynoldsburg, OH. Contact
Leah Miller, 740-545-6349 or leah@smallfarminstitute.org.
Feb. 12-14 -- World Ag Expo, Tulare, CA. Learn more online at www.worldagexpo.com/index.html.
Feb. 15-16 -- Indiana Forage Council Meeting/Indiana Cattle & Forage
Symposium, Indianapolis Marriott East Hotel. Contact Keith Johnson
at johnsonk@purdue.edu.
Feb. 21 -- Kentucky Alfalfa Conference, Cave City. Contact Garry
Lacefield at 270-365-7541, ext. 202, or visit www.uky.edu/Ag/Forage/.
Feb. 26 -- Southwest Missouri Spring Forage Conference,
University Plaza Hotel, Springfield. Call 417-862-8085.
Feb. 26-27 -- Idaho Hay And Forage Conference, Burley Inn,
Burley. Call Glenn Shewmaker at 208-736-3608.
March 4-6 -- Pennsylvania Professional Crop Producers Conference,
Penn Stater Conference Center at Penn State University, State College.
Contact Marvin Hall at 814-863-1019.
March 19-20 -- 2008 Central Plains Dairy Expo, Sioux Falls
Convention Center, Sioux Falls, SD. Visit www.centralplainsdairyexpo.com
or call 218-236-8420.
Sept. 17-20 -- National Hay Association Convention, Oak Brook
Hills Marriott, Oak Brook, IL. Contact Don Kieffer at 800-707-0014, or
visit www.nationalhay.org.
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Send Questions & Comments
To...
Lora Berg, Editor,
eHay Weekly,
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.
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