Conditions were wetter than ideal, but I was fearful of planting into a “zombie” cover crop. Zombie cover crops are alive enough to block the sun from drying out the ground, but dead enough not to use any water.
Read MoreFighting Hard to Handle Weeds with Alfalfa
Alfalfa may be a great way to control hard-to-handle weeds. Check out this Hay & Forage Grower Magazine article.
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Triticale spread September 18th, 2023. About 2 feet tall today.
Fall-Planted Triticale / Balansa Clover Update - Spring 2024
You may be thinking about planting some fall triticale, balansa clover, or hairy vetch in the fall. What might things look like the following spring in April?
Read MoreAlfalfa Weevil
When scouting for alfalfa weevil, begin by looking at the newest leaves on the plant. Feeding damage from alfalfa weevil begins as very small pin holes in the newest leaves and damage around the leaf margin. Inspect the plant buds where the new leaves are unfurling and look for a very small green caterpillar with a black head and faint white stripe.
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The Basics of Early Spring Grazing
All this new green growth does make me eager to get livestock back on pasture again although I’m not going to get in a rush. That initial growth is important to restore the solar panel/photosynthesis and restore roots. You certainly don’t want the forage to get ahead of you, but initiating grazing too quickly does hurt productivity.
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