Alfalfa & Forage News

Several new University of California forage oat varieties have been developed by Dr. Cal Qualset, Small Grains program, UC Davis recently. These are generally grown together in hay mixtures (e.g. a mix of oats, barley, and wheat), or as a sole-crop.

Sorghum is grown in California as a high yielding, drought resistant, low input forage and grain crop. However, it's been bugged lately. Last month, a sorghum field in Yolo County and fields throughout the Central Valley were infested with sugarcane aphid.

As comedian Rodney Dangerfield used to say: I don't get no respect! Forgive the double negative, but farmers and supporters of our lowly alfalfa and grass crops seem like they have the same complaint.

The agenda for the annual Kearney Alfalfa and Forage Field Day is set. Where: Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center; 9240 S. Riverbend Ave.

The old saying, Everything's fine until it's not, comes to mind when dealing with some tough to control perennial weeds in alfalfa production during the summertime.