Recently in the Forages Category

By Jennifer Obst, Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station, 612-625-4741

A comprehensive comparison of most crop varieties grown in Minnesota is now available in print and electronic forms. Minnesota Varietal Trials 2012, published by the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station, provides the results of the 2011 University of Minnesota evaluation of more than 1000 individual entries of plant varieties.

By Daniel Kaiser
Extension Soil Fertility Specialist

U of M Nutrient Management Website

A new nutrient management website has been launched that houses most of the current fertilizer suggestions and data from the University of Minnesota. This website was made possible by funding from the Minnesota Agricultural Fertilizer Research and Education Council and was put together through a joint effort for several researchers from the University of Minnesota who's research focuses on nutrient management issues for several crops growth throughout the state of Minnesota.  We would like to thank the AFREC program because without them this effort would not have been possible

Authors: Dimitre Mollov and Jennifer Flynn

When crops or plants are not growing well and look diseased or less vigorous than healthy plants, an accurate diagnosis of the problem may be critical to reducing and managing it. The Plant Disease Clinic at the University of Minnesota in St. Paul is open year-round to diagnose crop and plant problems and to assist with other plant testing questions. The Plant Disease Clinic welcomes samples from anyone and offers a wide variety of diagnostic and testing services.

by Doug Holen, Extension Educator - Crops, Fergus Falls
and Phillip Glogoza, Extension Educator - Crops, Moorhead

Just a quick note to report a significant outbreak of alfalfa weevil in WC MN. It escalated over the weekend with a lot of spraying starting on Monday. We have fields in all stages with 1st crop still standing, cut alfalfa in windrow for some time, and 16" of 2nd crop regrowth. All fields have been hit hard. All alfalfa growers in west central MN should be checking for possible infestations.

By Phillip Glogoza, Extension Educator - Crops

The cool temperatures have delayed alfalfa weevil population development in the region. In west central MN, first cut got underway two weeks ago. As we move northwest, first cut may just be beginning for some. In some cases, cutting alfalfa may have removed significant eggs laid in stems, while in other sites young larvae are feeding in the growing terminals, whether it is regrowth or uncut alfalfa.

May 1 & 7 Alfalfa Stand Evaluation Workshops

Spring On-Farm Alfalfa Evaluation Workshops by University of Minnesota Extension Institute for Ag Professionals

Thorough and accurate assessment of alfalfa stand health and density is essential to profitable alfalfa production.  Spring green-up is a key time to take a detailed look at all alfalfa stands and make stand management decisions.  The University of Minnesota Institute for Ag Professionals (IAP) will host two on-farm alfalfa stand assessment workshops this spring in Minnesota.

Charla Hollingsworth, UM Extension Plant Pathologist, and Jeff Stein, South Dakota State University Plant Pathologist

Crown rust (caused by Puccinia coronata var avenae) and stem rust (caused by Puccinia graminis f.sp. avenae) are widespread and common on oat in the North Central (NC) state region. If environmental conditions promote rust development on susceptible hosts prior to grain fill, significant crop losses are likely to occur. While both diseases are responsible for repeated losses in oat, crown rust has a history of being the most damaging in this region because epidemics occur with more regularity.

Paul Peterson, Neil Broadwater, Lisa Behnken, Doug Holen, Dan Martens, Krishona Martinson, and Russ Mathison, University of Minnesota; and Beth Nelson and Jenna Knoblauch, Midwest Forage Association

Harvesting results for a profitable future is the theme for the 2009 Minnesota Forage Days to be held at five locations in Minnesota the week of February 9.  The program is sponsored by University of Minnesota Extension and the Midwest Forage Association (MFA).  Dates and locations are:

• Feb. 9, SWROC at Lamberton
• Feb. 10, Floodwood Savannah Portage Restaurant
• Feb. 11, Detroit Lakes ClubHouse Hotel (formerly Holiday Inn)
• Feb. 12, Royalton American Legion
• Feb. 13, Rochester UCR Heintz Center.