Like other crops, high-quality alfalfa is commanding a good price. Strong market prices can change the economic thresholds, making it easier to justify investing in pest control. Below are some charts to help guide you.
Many insects can damage alfalfa, so it’s important to build a plan that keeps alfalfa healthy. Insects can damage the plant so much that the plant can acquire a disease and die.
Each alfalfa plant is like a factory. Crop scouting, spraying and fertilizing is like providing critical maintenance to keep the factory operating efficiently, as well as to optimize yield and quality.
Controlling alfalfa insects generally involves two things: (1) spraying insecticide; and (2) cutting alfalfa early. Check out these two articles for more insight.
Every grower tends to have a different strategy of when to begin cutting alfalfa. Some cut on a certain date in May no matter what and continue the cycle every 28 days. Some growers wait until the alfalfa has reached about 10% bloom, which historically provides a good balance between the highest yield without compromising quality.
To measure quality for an area of the field, you could use the scissors technique. This is a good method, but it takes a couple of days to get results from the lab. During that time, the plant has changed.
Another method used to estimate the optimal first cutting date for alfalfa is Predictive Equations for Alfalfa Quality (PEAQ) method. Developed by the University of Wisconsin, PEAQ uses the alfalfa stand height and maturity stage (vegetative, bud or open flower) to estimate the relative feed value (RFV). In general, it is recommended to harvest alfalfa at about 150 RFV for milking dairy herds and 125 RFV for heifers, stock cattle and lactating beef cattle.
You can order an actual measuring stick or use a tape measure and follow these steps as outlined in the May 2021 issue of “Integrated Crop Management News” by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach:
Choose a representative two-square-foot area in the field.
Determine the stage of the most mature stem in the area by using the definitions at the top of Table 1.
Measure the tallest stem in the area. The tallest stem may not be the most mature stem. Measure the stem from the soil surface to the tip of the stem, not to the tip of the leaf. Straighten the stem for an accurate height measurement. Based on stem maturity and stem height, use Table 1 to estimate the RFV of standing alfalfa crop.
Repeat steps 1-3 in five representative areas across the field.
To estimate harvest quality, subtract 15-25 RFV units to account for harvest losses during the haylage or hay harvest process, respectively.
Determine optimum harvest time using the PEAQ estimate, livestock forage quality needs, considerations of upcoming weather forecasts favorable for harvest and drying, and the general assumption that RFV drops three to five points per day.
Alfalfa value is based on quality. For quick calculation, the old standard of $1/point of RFV. (NOTE: The current market is worth more than $1 per point, but we’re going to stick with this for easy math.) If your RFV is 200, one dry matter ton of this forage is worth $200 / dry matter ton. In the Midwest, four cuttings of alfalfa can yield 5 to 7 tons.
High commodity prices also have us reflecting on ways to extend our alfalfa stand. It’s best to keep your cutting equipment sharp. It’s generally recommended to cut a pure stand of alfalfa at two or 2.5 inches from the ground. If you have a mixed species with grass in the mix, cutting it at 2.5 to 3 inches helps maintain the grass stand life.
Good fertility programs, insect management programs and fungicide treatments also impact the quality of alfalfa and corn silage. We will provide information about these topics as the growing season progresses.
Precision Agronomy Advisor, Phil Long, brings us an update from the field. He shares what to keep an eye on with this late spring and how emergence may be quicker than normal.
From the time he was able to follow in his father’s shadow, Troy Johnson of Odebolt in West Central Iowa, spent as much time farming as possible. He began farming full-time with his father, Reese, upon graduating from high school. Shortly thereafter, Troy had the opportunity to purchase his first 40 acres.
The Johnson Family
The Johnsons raise corn, soybeans and alfalfa. They started using cover crops in 2015 and have expanded their cover crop acres every year. Benefits include increasing organic matter, controlling erosion, as well as better weed control and water infiltration.
“I’ve been planting Latham® soybeans since the beginning and started planting Latham Hybrids when they came out in 2004,” says Troy, a fourth generation Iowa farmer. “I’ve planted other brands for neighbors, and it’s easy to see the difference in quality when you open a bag. Latham is known for its high-quality standards, and its reputation is well deserved.”
When the Johnson’s neighbor Russ Wilken retired as a Latham® dealer, he asked if Troy would be interested in the dealership.
“I was already planting Latham, so it was a no brainer,” says Troy. “I always enjoy trying new things, so I appreciate getting to learn about new Latham products early. I really appreciate having a team of professionals available whenever I call. Latham Seeds provides us with great customer service.”
Just as Troy’s farming enterprise has grown throughout the years, so has his family. He and his wife, Kathi, are the proud parents of three daughters. Jaci is a sophomore at Odebolt-Arthur-Battle Creek-Ida Grove (OABCIG). She enjoys singing, reading and babysitting. Jaci also is involved in FFA. Sophi is in eighth grade. She plays the saxophone and is a volleyball player. In addition, Sophi enjoys designing cards with calligraphy. Tori, sixth grade, plays the piano and trumpet. She also plays volleyball, basketball and softball.
“We have been blessed to raise our children on the family farm,” says Kathi. “There are many values and lessons the girls have learned that will benefit them in the future. Although farming has its ups and downs, we are grateful to God for the life He has allowed us to live.”
A Tradition of Hospitality
Evelyn Latham, wife of Latham Seeds’ founder Willard Latham, was known for her gracious hospitality. She was sure to invite family, friends, neighbors and customers to sit down at the table to enjoy a fresh cup of coffee with a plate full of homemade cookies. It’s no wonder she was named Master Farm Homemaker in 1962 by Wallaces Farmer!
Throughout the years, we have shared some of Evelyn’s favorite recipes with our dealers and their families. We were delighted when Kathi shared with us that Jaci’s Monster Cookies advanced from the county 4-H competition to the 2017 Iowa State Fair. We can only imagine how delighted Evelyn would have been, knowing Jaci was creating wonderful memories with her mother in their kitchen.
“It was an honor to have my cookies selected to go to state,” Jaci, who earned a blue ribbon at the Iowa State Fair with her Monster Cookies. “I was not expecting that because 2017 was my first year exhibiting 4-H projects at the fair.”
Today we’re once again sharing Evelyn’s Monster Cookie recipe with our readers. We hope you’re able to share a cup of coffee and a few heartwarming smiles with friends, families and neighbors as you enjoy a few homemade cookies. Perhaps you can enjoy a few cookies this planting season!
Phil Long, precision agronomy advisor, breaks down spring tillage and when to know if the field is ‘fit.’ It’s been a challenging spring, but there is still plenty of time to get the crop in safely and efficiently! Subscribe to Latham’s YouTube Channel today!
The rain is causing some planting delays in Latham Country, so we thought we’d take a look at our alfalfa stand! Phil Long, precision agronomy advisor, dives into how to evaluate an alfalfa stand and how to gauge growth. Subscribe to Latham Seed’s YouTube Channel today!
When will it be time to plant? Our agronomist shares current soil temperatures that include conventional tillage, no till and soil with a cover crop. The good news is that the ideal planting time is still yet to come as we approach May!
A common theme you will hear when listening to national corn/soybean contest winners is they always use a few acres to try something new. Latham’s Forage Products Manager, Corey Catt, has written numerous articles, encouraging growers to use a few acres to experiment on their own farms with products, seeding rates and management practices.
While third-party research plays an important role in helping us choose seed products, it’s also important to conduct your own on-farm research. Here are a few ideas to try this growing season. If you have acres that struggle with Sudden Death Syndrome, try treating a few soybean units with Latham® SoyShieldTM Plus with Saltro and run a side-by-side comparison. Another idea is to apply sulfur to soybeans and measure your results. Experiment on a few corn acres with Xyway® 3D in-furrow fungicide or try a phosphorus-enhancer, such as Encompass from TALC USA.
You could create quite a list of new products, different tillage/planting practices, in furrow fertilizers, or in-season practices that you could try to break your farm’s yield plateau. Here are some tips to make the most of your on-farm research efforts:
Use a decent farm, or part of a decent farm, to do your research. Use a farm that has soil types and drainage/topography characteristics that represent a lot of your acres. Don’t pick the less desirable ground in terms of fertility. If pH, phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), levels are wacky, you won’t learn much when trying a new in-furrow treatment, biological or fungicide. Basic needs must be taken care of before you can add more yield.
Keep it short and simple (K.I.S.S.). Weather and soil types cause enough variation in any research that you don’t need to add complexity. Try one thing at time, so you’re not adding multiple factors into the equation. For example, run a planter pass with Xyway mixed in your starter fertilizer and then shut it off the next pass. Do these two “treatments” at least three more times across your field to reduce the influence of soil types on your results.
Garbage in, garbage out. Make sure your monitors/globes/planting equipment have the latest update, so you can capture the data when it’s go time. Layout your research, so your combine can capture it. This is very important! For example, if you harvest with an 8-row head, change “treatments” on 20-foot increments.
Mapping what you do this spring will allow you to analyze it next fall. You will want to look at how that new product did in your heavy soils, lighter soils and whether it is worth expanding on more acres next year. Every year is different, so keep weather in mind as it is usually the #1 influencing factor. Start small to find out what works best on your farm. I am happy to help you figure out what new thing to try on a few acres. Give me a call and we can chat more about it at: 641-692-0370.
Precision Agronomy Advisor, Phil Long, highlights the closing wheels on the planter for his final #AsktheAgronomist – Planter Series. He advises when they should be replaced and how you can test them to make sure they are in alignment.
Latham Seeds has lots of great agronomy videos on our YouTube Channel. Subscribe today!
