Forage Types

Matt Mills had his neighbors scratching their heads, saying, “What in the world is he doing?”

There were soybeans growing in between the rows of corn. It looked like a mistake. What happened? Well, it wasn’t a mistake; that’s exactly what Mills intended to do.

Producers throughout the Southeast feed hay and other stored feedstuffs during the fall, winter and early spring due to limited forage availability and lower forage quality.

This fall and winter has been very wet across most of the eastern U.S. In some areas, fields have been wet since August. In years like this, normal plans for dealing with mud may not be enough.

If the fuel tank gets low, you better fill ’er up

“This looks more like a golf course putting green,” I thought to myself as I pulled up to the pasture in question.

The amount of forage produced in pastures changes each year, mostly due to rainfall and temperature fluctuations. Hot and dry years tend to have less forage production than wet and temperate years.

Crop farmers are embracing technologies prior generations didn’t even dream possible. Alfalfa seed production is no exception, and this very specialized production niche could soon benefit from new tools that help alfalfa seed producers plan for more efficient, more consistent pollination and seed set.