Several reports have come in indicating varying levels of winterkill in alfalfa. For dairy producers, this is an unwelcome start to the late spring. University of Minnesota Extension provides recommendations on alternative forages to replace damaged alfalfa and feed livestock affordably.
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Ag News Wire
Ag News Wire is published on the first and third Monday of each month, except on holidays. It will also be published at other unscheduled times in order to provide relevant, time-sensitive information. Ag News Wire highlights columns and other news about the University’s production agriculture research and outreach efforts.
Forage replacements for lost alfalfa
May 13, 2013
An unusual amount of winter injury and winterkill of alfalfa stands occurred in south central and southern Minnesota. While reports do not represent a detailed analysis of where injury to alfalfa occurred across Minnesota, they suggest a need for producers to check on stands and evaluate them for potential winter injury.
Choosing ACRE or DCP on the farm in 2013
May 6, 2013
The extension of the 2008 Farm Bill opens up the decision to participate in either of the safety net programs: the Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) program or the Direct and Countercyclical Program (DCP). Farmers have until June 3, 2013 to sign up for the ACRE program and August 2, 2013 for the DCP program.
Understanding late and prevented planting issues
April 29, 2013
The potential of reduced production due to delayed planting in 2013 because of the cold, wet start to the growing season could result in additional challenges in managing marketing. While there is still time to plant this year's crop and achieve normal yields, it is important to understand the marketing implications if we experience continued delays in corn planting.
New U of M Commodity Challenge ready for action
April 23, 2013
Commodity Challenge, an online grain trading game, has been redesigned and relaunched by a University of Minnesota Extension economist at the University's Center for Farm Financial Management.
Weather conditions are delaying the onset of corn planting, but wide fluctuations in corn planting progress are not uncommon in Minnesota. By the end of April, about 50 percent or more of Minnesota's corn acres were planted in 2009, 2010 and 2012, compared to less than 5 percent in 2008 and 2011.
The increasing cost of forages, continuing fear of drought conditions, and extending winter season have many producers wondering about the productivity of their hay fields in 2013. While temperatures have been colder this winter, the good news is that an insulating layer of snow has persisted across most of the state for an extended period of time.
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