Perennial Forage Features
“I have used Kora Tall Fescue for a few years now. Great yields, good quality and hardy. In an alfalfa mix most years we cut 4 times. I leave 3-4” when I cut and it keeps coming back. I especially enjoy the literature that allows me to customize plantings to what works best on our…
What to plant this spring and summer to transition a field back into production?
Q: What should I plant this spring to reclaim goldenrod land, and what crop should I follow it with? The soil is acidic and low in nitrogen. I have also spread some wood ash. I hope to harvest the crop as haylage, and I am organic. – Customer, Central VT A: We recommend the Spring…
Fall Harvest Management Considerations
Rod Porter, Northern Region Coordinator, Trumansburg, NY As fall approaches, here are some points to consider as you make your final harvests for the year. Hay: Try to time your final cutting to be 3 weeks before the killing frost or wait until after killing frost has come. To maintain a strong stand be sure to…
A Pasture Pick-Me-Up for Summer
Beef cattle grazing Mojo Crabgrass in North Carolina (Photo by Josh Baker) Improved forage crabgrass varieties are not weeds, but high-quality, high-producing forages that fit well from the Mid-Atlantic region through the Southeast. With good fertility and moisture conditions, crabgrass forage can yield 3-5 tons of dry matter. As a low-growing summer annual crop, crabgrass…
Cover Crop Termination
By Dale Dewing, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Delaware County As the new cropping season is quickly approaching, it is important to begin thinking about how to terminate your winter rye cover crop. As many know the incredible soil health benefits of using cover crops, they can also have many uses after they have served their purpose…
Nailing Down Nitrogen
By Paige Smart, Southeast AgriSeeds Fertilization is one of the many pieces of the forage productivity puzzle. Nutrients that the soil is lacking will manifest in the crop as discoloration, lack of vigor, and yield reduction. The nutrient that is limiting productivity more often than not is nitrogen. The rate, frequency, and method of nitrogen…
The Importance of Soil Health for a Profitable Farm
by Harold Schrock Soil aggregation and earthworm, both good soil health indicators There is a documented direct correlation between soil health, particulate organic matter concentrations and field/farm profitability as explained in a university level study recently completed by Claire LaCanne and Jon Lundgren. This study, “Regenerative agriculture: merging farming and natural resource conservation profitably”, is…
The Harm in Soil Crusting
Soil aggregation and earthworm, both good soil health indicators Soil crusts form a barrier at the soil surface – against oxygen and water from above, and emerging seedlings from beneath. A surface crust is more hard, compact, and brittle than the soil beneath it, which can be loose and friable. Certain soils are more prone…
King’s AgriSeeds and our Partners in Farmer Education: A Field Day Synopsis
Jim Biddle discussing no-till practices and cover crops with field day attendees King’s AgriSeeds collaborates with various groups that share our goals of crop research and farmer education. One example of our collaboration is field days. We have already hosted multiple field days this year and will continue to do so as the seasons change…
Reminder Tips for Winter Forage Production
David Hunsberger, Central Region Coordinator As the 2015 Summer crop matures, planning for the next crop continues. Winter annuals are an excellent choice for either cover cropping or forage production. In diverse mixtures or monocropped several principles are worthy of review. Planting Date: Proper timing of seeding is critical. For best survival and volume of…
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