Alfalfa

All The Details: Inside John Deere’s New F8 and F9 Forage Harvesters

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 18:20:36 GMT

John Deere is rolling out two new forage harvesters for North American dairy producers and custom harvesting operations.

The brand new F8 and F9 Series feature three factory-installed operator cab options, a technology stack that will one day enable autonomous operation, and enhanced feed quality via an integrated inoculant dosing system.

How are F8 and F9 different?
The F8 Series (425PS to 645PS) is a narrow base model that takes the place of Deere’s 8000 Series forage harvester, while the F9 Series (700PS to 1020PS) replaces the 9000 Series. Within the F9 Series is the F9 1000, which is Deere’s largest forage harvest machine to date.

(Editor’s Note: “PS” stands for Pferdestärke, which is the German term for horsepower. PS to horsepower is not an apples-to-apples equal ratio. The F9 1000, for example, features 1020PS which equates to 1,006HP, according to the manufacturer.)

The F9 is available in two engine options:

John Deere 18X (no DEF required)
Liebherr V12 24L

It has five horsepower options, while the F8 comes with the JD14X engine and can be configured across six horsepower options.

The manufacturer last rolled out completely new forage harvesters in 2019.

How much will each new model cost?

The feed rolls on John Deere’s F8 and F9 forage harvesters have integrated metal detection to keep unwanted material out of your feed.

(Matthew J. Grassi)

John Deere is not sharing its pricing just yet, but the two new models are built at its Zweibrucken, Germany, factory. John Deere dealers will begin taking orders for the aggressively styled, technology-packed harvesters this fall, with final delivery in time for the 2026 forage harvesting season.

Deere representatives declined comment on what effect, if any, the still-developing U.S.and E.U. tariff situation could have on its launch plans.

Ahead of the launch, Farm Journal went to Madison, Wisc., to kick the tires and learn all about the new machines. The F8 and F9 harvesters we viewed and climbed into were the first finished production units off the factory line. Deere says several units will be field tested with U.S. customers ahead of the full fall launch.

“We’re really excited about the new cab and the technology we’ve added to these machines like central tire inflation, ground speed automation and the new kernel processing units,” says Bergen Nelson, go-to-market manager, combines and forage harvesters.

Here’s some of what we learned about the new forage harvesters:

(Matthew J. Grassi)

Cab Comforts: The same three operator cab options offered with Deere’s X and S Series combines — Select, Premium and Ultimate — are available on the F8 and F9 Series. A smoothly swiveling captain’s chair, as well as an all-new corner post display that shows real-time machine data, are among the additions. Operators who spend long hours in the cab will also appreciate integrated entertainment like SXM Radio and an optional mini fridge.

(Matthew J. Grassi )

Foundational Deere Tech Stack: Each new forage harvester in the series includes Deere’s baseline precision tech enablement stack — which consists of its G5 display, Starfire 7500 receiver and JDLink modem.

Central Tire Inflation System: A completely new feature (top left inset photo) within the G5 display allows the operator to adjust front tire PSI up or down from the cab.

John Deere Inoculant Dosing System 2.0

(Matthew J. Grassi)

Inoculant Dosing System 2.0: New on both the F8 and F9, a high-volume 85 gallon inoculant tank and integrated pump allow the user to accurately adjust silage inoculant dosage rates from the G5 display in the cab. The system is easy to pump and prime as well with the touch of a button located at the rear of the machine.

Ground Speed Automation: This cruise control-like option reads RPMs and throttles the harvester up or down based on crop conditions. For example, harvesting corn at higher moisture levels will increase power output, so the machine will automatically slow down to ensure it doesn’t plug up or do a sub-optimal job harvesting. This feature comes standard on all base models for both series and does not require a yearly subscription unlock or per-acre fee.

Pro Touch Harvest: Another new feature within the G5 display allows the operator to shift the machine from road transport mode to harvest mode in a single click. It can also be used to quickly engage AutoTrac and ground speed automation once the operator arrives at the edge of field.

This all-new XStream 305 Kernel Processing (KP) unit is built by Scherer in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

(Matthew J. Grassi)

New Kernal Processing (KP) Units: The new harvesters feature two completely redesigned KP units, the Ultimate 250 (also made in Germany) and the Scherer XStream 305, which is made in Sioux Falls, S.D. An integrated winch and internal rail mounting system makes switching the machine from corn forage to hay forage in the field quick and simple. The number signifies each KP unit’s roll diameter width in millimeters.

“Both KPs will go in both machines and have four different roll options depending on how aggressive the dairyman wants their end feed quality to be,” says Shane Campbell, product marketing manager, forage harvesters.

(Matthew J. Grassi)

Integrated Harvest Lab 3000: This on-demand constituent sensing module pulls over 4,000 samples per second with +/- 2% accuracy, and John Deere says it can save dairy operations time and money versus collecting and sending samples to a lab. The sensor tech (available as an add-on option) enables accurate measurement and documentation of dry matter, starch, protein, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber for both harvested forage and manure. The data can be stored, organized and shared via Deere’s Operations Center. Within Operations Center, users can take geo-referenced data and build out spatial starch content — as well as moisture and protein — maps for hybrid selection and fertility management. Because if you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it.

Active Fill Control 3.0: Using sensors and cameras on the grain spout, this tech feature automatically detects the trailer or grain cart next to the forage harvester and begins filling it with a preselected fill strategy. This reduces the number of times an operator has to adjust the spout manually and also lessens fatigue and neck strain, according to Deere.

(Matthew J. Grassi)

New Operating Modes: Several of the models within the F9 Series offer what Deere is calling its “Engine Power Plus” feature — which gives a sizeable horsepower boost when the machines senses it needs a little extra chopping power to the harvesting head. There is also an ECO mode that can be toggled on when the machines don’t need the extra torque.

Ease-Of-Access: Both models have side and rear panels that easily open to grant full access to the inner workings of the machines, making the new forage harvesters much easier to service and maintain without a lift or other heavy specialized equipment. The machine is setup so techs and mechanically-minded farmers will not have to climb underneath it to perform daily maintenance.

“At the end of the day, we know it’s all about the cow, and these machines will put out quality feed,” Nelson says. “We’ll have these out at the farm shows this summer, including Farm Progress Show, World Ag Expo, World Dairy Expo and the U.S. Custom Harvesters Convention.”

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Ag Meterologists Worry More Drought Lies Ahead For Spring

Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:49:44 GMT

As Eric Snodgrass looks six weeks out to the end of March, he doesn’t like the weather pattern he sees shaping up for spring planting season – more dry conditions.

Varying levels of mild to moderate drought have dogged much of the upper Midwest, West and Southwest since last fall, and the outlook is for more of the same, according to Snodgrass, a leading U.S. meteorologist.

Check out the soil moisture deficit currently in the upper Midwest and West. At the opposite extreme, a broad band of soil moisture shows up in blue across much of the Ohio Valley region.

(Eric Snodgrass)

“I’m concerned about the way the central United States and the western Corn Belt, in particular, are going to be dealing with the risk of drought building into spring,” Snodgrass told farmers attending the Top Producer Summit in Kansas City earlier this week.

History shows that drought tends to beget drought. In six of the past 10 years with a really dry fall, Snodgrass says the spring to follow was also dry.

The weekly U.S. Drought Monitor echoes his observations. The Monitor released Thursday (Feb. 20) shows drought is impacting 45% of corn production acres, 36% of soybean production acres, 40% of spring wheat and 20% of winter wheat acres, respectively.In addition – of particular concern to beef and dairy producers – 49% of the U.S. alfalfa hay production acres are also experiencing drought.

Arctic Air Is Contributing To Drought Conditions
Snodgrass spells out what usually happens in late winter to create the moisture farmers need at planting time in the Corn Belt.

As the jet stream moves across the Pacific Ocean, it typically splits and sweeps into the West Coast from two positions – one from the northern North Pacific Ocean and the other from the southern North Pacific Ocean, close to Hawaii. The two portions of the jet stream usually then scream across U.S. western mountain ranges, picking up moisture they then deposit in portions of the Corn Belt before moving on to the East Coast and exiting the U.S. in Maine.

This year, the portion of the jet stream that normally comes from Hawaii has veered from its usual course and possibly even stalled. One indicator of that happening, Snodgrass says, is a drop off in ocean temperatures in the Baja of California and the Gulf of Alaska. The result is dry, arctic air has been moving into portions of the U.S.

In years when the Gulf of Alaska is in a warming trend, U.S. crop yields tend to be higher. The opposite is true when the Gulf cools.

(Eric Snodgrass)

For some parts of the U.S. the cold, arctic air has brought snow along with it. But the snow holds little moisture that would help alleviate the frozen dry soils. “We have some deep snow in areas right now, but it’s only got maybe two-tenths of an inch of liquid in it,” Snodgrass explains.

That’s bad news for farmers who need a full profile of soil moisture going into spring and don’t have one.

“If I’m in Iowa, Minnesota, northern Illinois, the Dakotas, even parts of Nebraska and Missouri, I’m going, holy smokes, that arctic air has prevented any sort of meaningful precipitation coming back at this point of the year,” he says.
Similar concerns were voiced by Drew Lerner, founder and president of World Weather, Inc., during the Top Producer Summit.

“If we continue bringing these cold shots of air through North America, we will have a below-normal precipitation bias [for the western Corn Belt] as we go forward through spring planting season,” Lerner explained during the taping of the U.S. Farm Report.

This map shows what the precipitation could look like in March. But remember, Mother Nature is unpredictable. It’s certainly feasible she could change course and bring moisture to the states west and southwest of the Mississippi River.

(Eric Snodgrass)

That’s not the meteorologists’ expectation for the eastern Corn Belt and portions of the Southeast. Lerner and Snodgrass agree those areas are likely to have plenty of moisture going into spring planting.

More Weather Trouble Brewing For Summer
If the current cold conditions continue through March, which Lerner and Snodgrass anticipate will be the case, what will likely occur is a knee-jerk reaction in the atmosphere: a warming trend will start in late March or early April and build through late spring and into early summer.

“If we warm up quickly in the spring, which is a high possibility, we could end up falling behind the eight ball a little bit more on soil moisture,” Lerner says.

While some meteorologists point to this year’s La Niña as a cause of the continued move to dryer conditions, Snodgrass and Lerner say that’s not the case.

“La Niña will be gone by the time we get into mid-March,” Lerner predicts. “This La Niña hasn’t lasted long enough to really have a big footprint in the atmosphere. As we get into April, it’ll be pretty much a non-event.”

Keep An Eye On The Pacific Decadal Oscillation
Lerner and Snodgrass believe a negative phase of what scientists call the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) could be a primary contributor to ongoing drought and higher temperatures by April. The PDO is a long-term climate pattern that affects the temperature of the Pacific Ocean and can influence weather patterns across the globe.

While the PDO has not had what Lerner calls a “tremendous amount of impact” in past years in the U.S., it’s looking more influential for the 2025 growing season.

“I’m seeing some additional cooling off the West Coast of North America that may end up leading us into a greater ridge building with all the dryness that’s in the soil and that negative PDO,” Lerner says. “I’m not ready to go all the way over with [that prediction], but that’s where I’m headed.”

The Surprising Solution To Drought
If Mother Nature continues on her worrying course, Snodgrass says continued low temperatures in the Gulf of Alaska would be a signal in early summer for farmers.

“If we get into June and it’s cool there, that is telling me that the atmosphere is not moving. And if it doesn’t move, well, all of a sudden we could find ourselves in a situation in late June into July with more drought and excess heat,” Snodgrass says.

The North American Multi-Model Ensemble (NMME) is a seasonal forecasting system, showing this summer could be a dry one in portions of the West and upper Midwest and into Canada. However, summer is still months away, and Mother Nature could change course. However, being forewarned can help farmers plan ahead.

(Eric Snodgrass and NMME)

Another worrying sign he says to watch for is where the active spring weather pattern falls. If areas of Kansas and the Great Plains see an active tornado season, Snodgrass says that means the weather pattern is more favorable for rains to fall across the Corn Belt. But if tornado warnings blare across the Southeast, Snodgrass says that’s a signal drought could be a problem this summer.

There is a solution to the troubling weather patterns, he adds, one most farmers won’t welcome – a big, wet snow on the Northern Plains.

“The No. 1 thing I’m praying for right now is an April 4 blizzard. I want a foot of snow,” Snodgrass told farmers at Top Producer Summit, many of whom laughed.

Snodgrass laughed, too, and added, “You’ll hate me for about a week, and then love me through the rest of May.”

Your next read: ‘Stay Tuned, We’ll Be Right Back With Your Forecast’

Small But Capable: Is 2025 The Year of The Utility Tractor?

Wed, 19 Feb 2025 12:30:00 GMT

Several farm machinery companies are releasing new low-to-medium horsepower utility tractors for model year 2025.

Which begs the question: If 2024 was The Year of The Combine , is 2025 already shaping up to be The Year of The Utility Tractor? It doesn’t have the same ring to it though, now does it?

Many of these machines feature redesigned operator cabs and revamped engine transmissions. It seems tractor manufacturers are increasingly integrating technologies, such as in-cab monitors, LED lighting packages, and machine guidance and telematics, which are usually reserved for higher horsepower models.

Ease-of-use, versatility and operator comfort seem to be the common threads that tie all of these introductions together beyond engine output.

The following new machinery introductions were announced last week during the National Farm Machinery Show in Louisville, Ky., and World Ag Expo in Tulare, Calif.

AGCO announces the launch of its Massey Ferguson 2025 compact tractor lineup, which includes a new Premium Series model and MF Economy and Sub-Compact Series models.

(Alex Visciotti )

AGCO’s Massey Ferguson brand has announced its 2025 compact utility tractor line, which is comprised of three distinct series.

Premium Series (24.8 hp to 60.3 hp) tractors designed for daily use and ideal for a variety of applications from snow removal and landscaping to fieldwork and property maintenance.
Compact-Economy Series (24 hp to 57.3 hp) tractors balance affordability with capability and offer a variety of configurations.
Sub-Compact Series (22.5 hp to 24.5 hp) tractors that Massey Ferguson says are perfect for hobby farmers and first-time operators.

Each utility series features updated ergonomics and operator comfort features, a wide range of compatible attachments and implements, and user-friendly options for enhanced ease-of-use.

RELATED: AGCO Launches Massey Ferguson 2025 Compact Tractor Series, New Double Square Baler

Case IH’s new Farmall C Series tractor

(Case IH)

Case IH has announced its new medium utility Farmall C tractor Series.

The four-model lineup offers a 12-speed PowerShuttle and a 24-speed Hi-Lo transmission alongside a suite of factory-installed technology updates.

The manufacturer says the Farmall C Series has a larger, reinforced front axle, boosted hydraulic flow, heavier gross vehicle weight and increased rear lift capacity. All models in the series feature fully integrated base telematics to geo-locate the tractor and monitor the machine for service.

Additional new features include an auto PTO function to automatically engage and disengage the PTO, and an advanced loader joystick in the cab to simultaneously lift and shuttle control for fast material handling.

Dealers are taking orders now, and Case IH says Farmall C will ship in the fall.

Kubota Tractor Corporation’s new MX4900 utility tractor.

(Greg Latza/Kubota)

Kubota Tractor Corporation has unveiled its all-new MX4900 utility tractor.

The company says it is designed to be a workhorse at a new price point. From transporting hay bales to grading a driveway, or performing general property maintenance, the sub-100 hp machine provides a capable solution that ranchers and farmers have been waiting for.

There are two types of transmissions available on the MX4900 and both models are equipped with a Kubota engine and Common-Rail System (CRS) with electronically controlled fuel injection.

The MX4900 also features both ROPS and Cab options with ergonomically placed controls. Some of the comfort features include a spacious operator station, optional suspension air ride seat with optional armrests on the cab model, and all-new optional dealer-installed LED lighting kits.

The MX4900 will be available at authorized Kubota dealers in spring 2025.

New Holland’s PowerStar Series utility tractor.

(New Holland)

New Holland’s brand new PowerStar Series offers four distinct utility tractor models ranging from 86 to 117 hp.

The company says the next-gen series offers new styling, greater operator comfort inside a refined VisionView cab with independent suspension, and a wide array of productivity-enhancing features. Underneath each hood is a FPT Industrial 3.6-liter four-cylinder engine, and the lineup complies with Stage V emissions standards.

The PowerStar series also offers all-new, factory-installed LU Series front loaders standard on all models. These loaders offer more lifting capacity, greater lifting height, faster cycle times, improved visibility, easier coupling and refined control.

The new PowerStar Series tractors will arrive in dealer inventory in Q4 2025.

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Data From New Trials Boasts Yield Boosts With Biologicals

Fri, 08 Mar 2024 21:17:23 GMT

Farm Journal’s Smart Farming Week is an annual week-long emphasis on innovation in agriculture. The goal is to encourage you to explore and prioritize the technology, tools and practices that will help you farm smarter. Innovation today ensures an efficient, productive and sustainable tomorrow.

Two new studies from Locus Ag and Pivot Bio found the use of biological products consistently increased yields in a variety of crops.

When testing Locus Ag biological products, trials analyzed by contract research organizations and universities found yield increases between 4.2% to 26% in specialty crop varieties and between 5.2% to 37% in row crop varieties.

“In a time when the agricultural sector is navigating challenges such as climate variability, rising input prices and the need for sustainable practices, Locus Ag’s USA–made biological solutions are more vital than ever,” said Kade Haas, SVP of Locus Ag. “Farmers can’t leave anything to chance. This data confirms that no matter what crop they grow or where they grow it, these premium biologicals are going to take their farming to the next level and ensure they have a successful growing season.”

The products were tested across the U.S. in locations with varying growing conditions. But while 11 specialty crops and 12 row crops were tested, it’s important to note only alfalfa, canola, corn, cotton, potato rice, soybeans and wheat had a 95% or higher confidence rate in the reliability of the results.

To view the specific yield gain for each crop tested with Locus Ag biological products in the study, click here .

Data from another study conducted by The University of Kentucky’s Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment found replacing 40 lb. of synthetic nitrogen with Pivot Bio’s Proven 40 led to higher corn yields.

During these trials, corn was planted at a rate of 32,000 seeds per acre under no-till and cover crop conditions. Proven 40 was applied in furrow with additional nitrogen treatments of 140 lb. and 180 lb. per acre. Data showed the different amounts of nitrogen led to similar yield results, while the addition of Proven 40 increased yields.

“The study’s findings underscore the potential of microbial nitrogen fertilizer to maintain and even increase crop yields while reducing dependency on synthetic fertilizers,” said Clayton Nevins, senior agronomic scientist for Pivot Bio. “Not only are you replacing 40 lb. of synthetic nitrogen, but you are also delivering nitrogen straight to the roots, boosting plant health earlier in the season.”

Related Stories:

Farmers Share Biological Experiences Through New Mosaic Initiative

DPH Biologicals Expands Research to Quantify Potential of Biologicals

When is Alfalfa Ready to Cut?

Thu, 11 May 2023 18:14:41 GMT

The stress of forage season is officially underway for farmers across the country. With alfalfa being one of the most important forage crops on the farm and feed prices on the rise, it’s critical to ensure your stand is harvested in a timely manner to maximize quality while preserving quantity. But when is alfalfa ready to cut? The Pennsylvania State University dairy extension team provides the following tips to consider:

Harvesting Established Stands

What’s Your Crop’s Life Expectancy? - The intensity of cutting management (the number of cuttings made per year) should be based on the desired quality and life expectancy of the crop. If the goal is to have a long-lived stand, then a longer cutting interval should be considered. If the crop is being grown under a short rotation (three years or less), then more cuttings may be desirable to maximize forage quality.

First Cutting - The first cutting in the spring can be made when the crop is in the bud to early-bloom stage. During the spring there is generally limited environmental stress and the alfalfa crop can normally tolerate early cutting. Harvesting at the bud stage has allowed producers to get more cuttings per year, increase their production, and improve the quality of their forage. However, in order to cut this early, there should be optimum levels of soil pH, phosphorus, and potassium, and plants should be allowed to reach the first- bloom stage at least once during the year.

Second Through Fourth Cutting - Cuttings made during the summer (second, third, and fourth cuttings) should be made when the crop is in the bud to early-bloom stage of development. Some producers are attempting to cut when the alfalfa is even less mature than recommended. A cutting interval that is consistently shorter than thirty days can be extremely stressful to the stand because energy reserves cannot be stored in the taproots and crowns. Low energy reserves lead not only to poor regrowth (which results in poor yields) but also to an actual loss of stand--sometimes in one year.

Monitor Crop Stress – Alfalfa generally maintains production during short periods of dry weather because of its deep and extensive root system. However, during extended periods of dry weather alfalfa growth is reduced and flowering may occur on short, stunted plants. Cutting during these stressful periods does not weaken alfalfa plants or cause stand reductions. If there is adequate late summer or fall growth, after the alfalfa plants have been drought stressed during the summer, an additional harvest can be made in the fall with less risk of stand loss than if the alfalfa was not drought stressed.

New Stands

First Cutting - During the year of establishment, seedlings need a high level of energy reserves to persist through the winter. For spring seedings that are made without a companion crop, two harvests can generally be made the first year, provided there are adequate rainfall and optimum levels of soil nutrients. The first harvest can be made before flowers begin to appear, but waiting for the alfalfa to flower will ensure greater energy reserves in the roots. Alfalfa will generally reach this stage of development between 60 and 70 days after emergence.

Second Cutting - The second harvest should either be made before September 1, to ensure an adequate buildup of energy reserves for winter or be delayed until after the first killing frost (24 °F) in the fall or after mid-October. Occasionally, when the second harvest is made before September and there are good fall growing conditions, a third harvest may be made, but not until there is a definite killing frost. When mid-October or later harvests are made, a high stubble (6 inches) should be left for ground cover to protect the crowns and to catch snow for added insulation.

Companion Crop Alfalfa - Spring seedings which are made with a companion crop such as oats are usually harvested for the first time based on the maturity of the companion crop. Alfalfa harvests made after the companion crop has been harvested should follow the same guidelines as for alfalfa when seeded without a companion crop.

Fall Seeded Crop - The spring harvest of a fall-seeded alfalfa crop should be based on plant development and vigor. If the alfalfa plants look vigorous and the roots are well developed, spring cutting can be made at bud to early bloom. If plants are small and poorly developed, it is best to wait until mid-bloom before harvesting.

Unspoken Truths About Pests: Armyworms

Wed, 20 Jul 2022 20:00:10 GMT

This pest can cost you 15% to 50% in yield loss

Fields wiped out in a matter of hours. Pests marching from grasses and weeds as host plants and into farm fields and pastures. In the 40 years Gus Lorenz has focused on pests, 2021 marks a first.

“This fall armyworm outbreak is the worst I’ve seen in my career,” says Lorenz, University of Arkansas Extension entomologist. “It’s not just rice, it’s really bad in soybeans. We see a few in cotton, and they’re in grain sorghum and even eating corn.”

A PERFECT STORM

This year has been the “perfect storm” in the worst way for the pest, Lorenz says. Torrential rains in May and June caused flooded fields, forcing farmers to replant late. Weedy fields also are the perfect home for destructive armyworms.

“They don’t call them fall armyworm for nothing,” Lorenz says. “They usually strike late, but this year they started early. Everybody‘s got fall armyworms.”

While the late-season pest showed up early in Arkansas, they quietly migrated in masses to the Midwest. Ohio farmers, for instance, have seen historical widespread damage. Curtis Young, entomologist and agricultural Extension educator for Van Wert County, Ohio, says the issue blanketed the state at the end of August and beginning of September.

“They had a huge emergence of adults when a weather front came through that sucked them up into the jet stream and deposited them in the northern states,” Young says, “so, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, etc., all got a good dose of them from a weather front.”

While the alfalfa seems to be the biggest victim to armyworms in Ohio, they are also decimating cover crops, turf grass, sorghum and all forages.

“The moth actually has upward of 300 different types of plants it will feed and thrive on,” Young says. “We weren‘t aware we were supposed to be scouting for them this year, and what really set it off was suddenly the caterpillars got large enough they were stripping the foliage off of all kinds of plants in 24 to 48 hours.”

Before farmers and agronomists even knew to scout, the armyworms had already latched on to fields across the state, with some farmers reporting widespread field damage in just a matter of hours, with alfalfa fields and turf turning brown overnight.

“There’s about a 10"-to-15" swath in the back of a field that was starting to get eaten up pretty bad, and then within eight to 10 hours, the armyworms had completely gone over this whole field,” says Nick Elchinger, a farmer in Deshler, Ohio. “They move very fast when they’re thick.”

Scouting for the insect can be difficult, Young says. While you might not notice feeding in the beginning, armyworms can lurk in fields, hanging on to foliage at an angle that is hard to spot when scouting from above.

WILL PROBLEMS LINGER?

What’s the best way to stop armyworms? Mother Nature and a hard freeze. Young says that will kill development of a pest that doesn’t overwinter in northern states.

“We need to watch late-season crops, such as cover crops, winter wheat and forage crops, until we finally get a hard freeze that will stop the population that is here now,” he says. “They just came out of the blue, and now we’ll be prepared to look for them in the future.”

What Happens If Cut Hay Gets Rained On?

Wed, 13 Jul 2022 16:28:25 GMT

Hay that has been cut and then rained on can lose quality in four ways. These include: 1) leaching of soluble carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, 2) increased and prolonged plant respiration, 3) leaf shattering, and 4) microbial breakdown of plant tissue.

1. Leaching of Soluble Nutrients: Carbohydrate, Vitamin, and Mineral Loss

Leaching of carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals is usually at its highest when the hay has dried somewhat and we then have a prolonged rain. Rainfall right after cutting usually results in less leaching of nutrients and a quick splash-and-dash shower normally doesn’t result in large losses of these nutrients on freshly cut hay.

2. Increased and Prolonged Plant Respiration: Loss of Forage Nutrients

Increased or prolonged respiration occurs when hay is not allowed to dry sufficiently to stop the plant’s metabolic processes. Hay must reach moisture content of less than 30 percent for respiration to be reduced to acceptable levels. Hay that is rained on when relatively green will continue to respire for longer periods of time, resulting in the loss of forage nutrients and dry matter yield.

Likewise, partially dried hay that is rained on can continue to respire for longer periods resulting in lower quality and yield of hay.

3. Leaf Shattering: Nutrient Loss from Increased Mechanical Handling

Increased leaf shatter is another problem associated with hay that has been rained on. Wet hay usually means more mechanical handling of the hay in order to dry it. Since leaves tend to dry quicker than stems, any increased raking or tedding tends to shatter leaves from stems. Since more of the soluble nutrients are in the leaf tissue, the loss of leaf blades while raking and baling can reduce hay quality substantially. Loss of leaf blades can also result in reduction of dry matter yields.

4. Microbial Breakdown: Fungi and Mold Consumption of Plant Tissue

Microbial breakdown of plant tissue occurs when fungi, molds and other microorganisms begin to feed on the downed hay. These organisms develop rapidly in warm-moist conditions and feed on the dead plant material. Hay that is lying on the ground and remains wet for long time periods becomes a perfect environment for these organisms to live and breed. They can quickly consume plant nutrients and destroy plant cell structure resulting in loss of dry matter yield, nutrient content and given time, will completely rot the hay.

What are the consequences of hay being rained on?

Research conducted at the University of Kentucky by Michael Collins indicated that we can lose up to 5 percent of the dry matter per inch of rain on cut hay. Digestibility can be reduced by 10 percent or more due to leaching of nutrients and leaf shatter. A similar study done at Iowa State University reported protein loses of 3 percent and total digestible nutrient reduction of 4.6 percent.

One fact seems to hold true, you still cannot tell what the actual quality of the hay is until you have it tested. Testing it is your best strategy for determining the nutrient quality you will get from the hay. Sampling rained-on hay will give you the information you need to design a supplementation program that will keep your animals in good shape during the winter feeding period. Your local county Extension Educator can help you with sampling techniques, hay probes, and testing. For a small investment of time and money, testing will pay off big in the health and nutrition of your herd.

Quality Alfalfa Hinges on Details

Wed, 27 Jan 2021 20:09:14 GMT

Variety selection, precise management and optimal environment are grower’s premium

In the dead calm of a summer night, even agriculture sleeps—but not David Hinman. Minutes past midnight, the Wheatland, Wyo., producer wakes up and checks humidity levels via weather apps, slips out of bed and pulls on his boots. Outside, on ground 5,250' in elevation staring up at the Laramie Mountains, some of the country’s finest alfalfa awaits baling.

At Hardrock Farms, quality alfalfa sits on a three-legged stool of variety, precise management and optimal environment. The reputation for premium hay brings customer calls from more than 1,000 miles away.

Hinman maintains six to seven alfalfa varieties on a mix of sandy loam, clay and rocky soil. The planting window falls between May 15 and June 1, and he typically plants straight with no cover crops.

Dandelions are a major issue, so Hinman plants roughly 22 lb. of alfalfa seed per acre to choke out weeds and minimize spray applications of Raptor and Velpar. He fertilizes in cool fall or early spring weather with 200 lb. of 11-52-0 and 150 lb. of potash, as well as sulfur when needed. Fields are soil sampled annually, with periodic grid sampling. Hinman’s alfalfa is mostly grass-free, and he doesn’t face many nitrate issues.

Despite arid, dry surroundings, Hinman is blessed with abundant water resources. Hardrock is part of the biggest privately owned irrigation project in the U.S. The reservoir is fed by the Laramie River and members own the water rights. The reservoir’s board of directors bring water down starting May 10. In the hottest periods of July, he leaves center pivots pumping. Depending on Mother Nature, he irrigates until Sept. 25.

Irrigation is shut off four days prior to each of the four cuttings, which are spaced on 28-day cycles. Provided Hinman gets the first cut finished during the second week of June, he pushes for a fourth cutting before the cold sets in during October. Following the fourth cutting, he pastures the ground or leaves it alone until regrowth in the spring. A good variety will bring four to five years of growth, he says, and even more if the stand is kept clean.

Hinman’s field movements are dictated by moisture. He cuts in the afternoon when sugars are higher in the plants. The first cutting lays at least a week because of volume. The second and third cuttings lay for five days due to warming. The fourth and final cutting lays 10 days to ensure leaves are properly dried.

With humidity in his area running at 10% to 15% during the day, alfalfa hay is extremely dry and crunchy during daylight hours, nearly crumbling to the touch. However, with minimal rainfall in summer and fall, the alfalfa can stay out for days and remain green.

Each night, Hinman pulls up AccuWeather and WeatherBug apps to check humidity and wind forecasts. His farthest field is 13 miles from his house and humidity can vary even over short distances.

Once humidity reaches 50% in the early morning air, Hinman’s wife, Teri, starts raking and he follows with the baler. They work until morning, stopping when the ground becomes too wet and humidity reaches 80%.

The nighttime baling window is crucial to hay quality. When humidity levels rise as the sun goes down, the hay toughens. Normally, Hinman lets hay dry to less than 8% moisture.

High humidity and moisture equate to lower quality alfalfa hay: brown or bleached forage. “The less moisture you have on the hay, other than when you bale it, the better off you are,” he says.

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