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More in Alfalfa

  • Feb. 27, 2012
    Article

    First cutting alfalfa price projections lowered

    California dairymen are producing too much milk for the market, and once again have moved into a negative cash flow scenario. Dairymen in the Central California milkshed do not want to pay more than $300 per ton for premium, first cutting hay delivered to Central California. A Central California dairy recently purchased a year’s supply of 4,500 tons of 55 TDN alfalfa from a western Nevada hay grower for $230 per ton fob. Another contract was signed for 7,000 tons of hay from the “eastern mountain” area of California for $245 per ton....More
  • Feb. 24, 2012
    Article

    Arizona Agri-Weekly: alfalfa crop in good condition

    Precipitation was recorded in 16 of the 21 weather stations. The Parker area received the least at 0.01 inches of precipitation. The Safford area received the most at 0.82 inches....More
  • Feb. 1, 2012
    News

    Weekly Hay Report gets second chance 1

    The sudden notice that the Weekly Hay Report for California was shutting down on Dec. 30 was a big surprise to CAFA and others. Early last year CAFA became involved with the Market News Service, which asked for recommendations to help the agency streamline its Weekly Hay Report. There was no indication that it could become a lame duck in the not too distant future....More
  • Jan. 11, 2012
    Article

    Arizona Agri-Weekly: alfalfa conditions fair to good

    Sheep have been brought in to graze and lamb on some alfalfa fields....More
  • Jan. 10, 2012
    News

    After RR alfalfa in 2011, CAFA readies for water battles in 2012 1

    The central issue for CAFA in 2011 was the Roundup Ready alfalfa lawsuit brought by the Center for Food Safety. In 2012, It won’t be surprising if water use becomes directed at alfalfa given the lack of rain and snow in October through December....More
  • Jan. 9, 2012
    News

    Alfalfa valuation tool released

    A new alfalfa evaluation tool allows users to calculate a sound value of their alfalfa based on a nutrient comparable basis or a market comparable basis....More
  • Jan. 9, 2012
    News

    Judge rules in favor of GE alfalfa growers in California

    A judge has upheld the government's decision to let the nation's alfalfa growers plant Roundup Ready alfalfa, saying the alleged risk of contaminating other crops does not require regulators to impose buffer zones....More
  • Jan. 9, 2012
    Article

    Alfalfa industry wrestles with GE contamination issues

    Alfalfa is the fifth glyphosate-tolerant crop commercialized in the U.S.; however, it has become perhaps the most scrutinized and debated of all genetically engineered crops grown....More
  • Jan. 3, 2012
    News

    Agriculture rapidly moving toward acceptance of GM crops 4

    The United States can remain in the top tier of countries in carrying out responsible and useful GM crop research, including research into the risks presented by this new technology; or we can abdicate our place, and let other nations and individuals do as they please. The future of agriculture is not a return to the 17th century. New technology will be required to feed the billions coming, and this progress cannot be stopped. The cat is long out of the bag....More
  • Dec. 30, 2011
    Article

    Improved hopper insect management in desert alfalfa

    Insecticides can provide good hopper control in desert-grown alfalfa....More
  • Dec. 28, 2011
    Article

    Egyptian alfalfa weevil in desert-grown alfalfa 1

    The Egyptian alfalfa weevil is most damaging to the second alfalfa cutting but can also damage the third cutting....More
  • Dec. 28, 2011
    News

    RR alfalfa growers liked field crop; didn’t like price 3

    More than 90 percent of alfalfa growers who were fortunate enough to plant Roundup Ready alfalfa before a federal judge pulled it off the market more than four years ago are pleased with the performance of the glyphosate-tolerant crop....More
  • Dec. 27, 2011
    News

    Alfalfa hay growers told to lower 2012 price expectations 1

    Respected marked analyst Seth Hoyt said lower prices could help stabilize alflafa acreage and help struggling dairymen. Despite record 2011 prices, Western state hay acreage is not increaseing as expected. Cropping alternatives make alfalfa less attractive....More
  • Dec. 6, 2011
    News

    Genetics driving drought-resistant alfalfa development

    The development of alfalfa varieties that are more drought tolerant would obviously be a boon to both consumers and hay producers. Researchers are now combining high-tech genetic analysis with traditional plant breeding practices in this effort....More
  • Dec. 1, 2011
    News

    What’s in store for the hay market in 2012? 1

    The consensus seems to be another good year for the hay market in 2012. There’s not a huge increase projected for alfalfa acres; possibly a 3 percent to 5 percent increase overall in California. Class III milk is currently trading around $16.50 for May 2012. Historically, that is relatively high, but it’s a break-even point for many dairies. That milk price can’t support a hay price much higher than $270 or $280....More
  • Nov. 18, 2011
    News

    Alfalfa growers prepare for Las Vegas conference

    Hay prices are at record high levels in many states, and dairies have found it difficult going as a result. Costs have gone up considerably for hay producers and dairy producers alike....More
  • Nov. 2, 2011
    News

    Direct involvement of farmer in new crop variety a rarity

    With the help of a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) small business grant, Wisconsin farmer-breeder Peter Pitts teamed up with Pure-Seed Testing, Inc., of Hubbard, Ore., to create a now widely popular variety of conventional grass forage that is also probably the first certified organic festulolium in North America....More
  • Nov. 2, 2011
    News

    Biofuels industry making inroads in California

    In the long run it will be interesting to see how biofuel crops will fare and how they might impact alfalfa and other commodities, pro and con. UC researchers have given high marks to switchgrass in the San Joaquin Valley and Imperial Valley. Camelina, a member of the mustard family, can be seeded and harvested with conventional farm equipment. The oilseed crop is considered to be an ideal jet fuel substitute....More
  • Oct. 26, 2011
    News

    RR alfalfa survey being conducted

    Western alfalfa producers are planting new fields this fall and one of the biggest questions is how much of it will be varieties with the Roundup Ready trait. Fall is traditionally when growers establish new alfalfa fields and this year is the first time in about five years that legal action by radical environmental groups has not hindered planting of the glyphosate-resistant forage crop in the fall, although some acreage went in early in 2007 before an injunction stopped the sale of the seed....More
  • Oct. 14, 2011
    News

    Considering tradeoffs of Roundup Ready alfalfa

    Glyphosate-resistant alfalfa (Roundup Ready alfalfa) can be planted in Arizona following the USDA-APHIS decision in January 2011 to grant it non-regulated status....More
  • Sep. 30, 2011
    News

    World Ag Expo calls for Forage Challenge entries by Dec. 15

    Growers of high quality forage will be rewarded with cash prizes in the 2012 World Ag Expo Forage Challenge, presented by Mycogen Seeds. The competition challenges farmers and ranchers in 11 Western states to enter their best alfalfa hay, standard corn silage or brown midrib (BMR) corn silage to honor those who produce the highest-quality forages in the West. The deadline to enter is Dec. 15....More
  • Sep. 30, 2011
    News

    Forecast for 2011 hay market was on the money

    The hay market could go higher in the following months, but high-test hay probably won't reach the $400 mark this winter, a projection that some have made recently. Overseas demand for U.S. hay is “creating heartburn for some dairymen." Export buyers have stepped up in California....More
  • Sep. 6, 2011
    News

    Select Committee takes aim at USDA’s budget 1

    According to one report, members of Congress believe that agriculture is doing well and therefore the USDA can afford to give up a significant amount of its $100 billion budget. Ag committees and staff members in Congress are saying that programs might be cut by up to $40 billion over 10 years or more. The initial target will be direct payments and other types of safety-net programs....More
  • Aug. 25, 2011
    News

    UCCE Alfalfa & Forage Field Day Sept. 8

    The UCCE Alfalfa & Forage Field Day will be held Thursday, Sept. 8, 2011. The event will begin at 7:30 a.m. and end at noon....More

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