Princeton, Kentucky
January 21, 2009
In a state known for producing
world-class livestock, high-quality forages, such as alfalfa,
have always been in demand. However, in the past couple of
years, this demand has increased as hay costs and the need for
premium pasture have risen, especially during the summer.
To help meet this demand, interested individuals can join
Kentucky producers, industry professionals and university
specialists in exploring various aspects of alfalfa during the
29th Kentucky Alfalfa Conference. The conference begins at 8
a.m. CST Feb. 19 at the Cave City Convention Center.
“The program has something for everyone truly interested in
alfalfa,” said Garry Lacefield, extension forage specialist in
the University of Kentucky
College of Agriculture. “High-quality forages like alfalfa can
do a lot for a feeding program and serve as a cash hay crop.”
Dairy cattle and equine producers have used high-quality forages
for many years, and now some beef cattle operations are using
them as well, Lacefield said. Producers are finding that raising
alfalfa has many benefits despite whether it’s sold for hay or
used for grazing or silage. It is a nitrogen-fixing legume, good
rotational crop, helps preserve the soil and is a good grazing
crop during drought years.
“Every time we have a drought, we come out of it with more
respect for alfalfa,” Lacefield said. “With droughts during the
past two summers, we want to look at the past to help position
livestock producers better in the future. This conference will
explore that as well as costs and returns as far as hay
production.”
Topics include yield versus quality; seeding prices, rates and
their impact on production costs; myths and realities of alfalfa
hay for horses; grazing alfalfa; keys to success with balage;
Roundup Ready alfalfa and future GMOs in alfalfa; cost and
returns of alfalfa production; marketing and producing alfalfa
hay; and the showing of a DVD titled, “The Art and Science of
Haymaking.” The conference will also include a silent auction
and awards program. After the presentations, all the speakers
will return to the stage to answer participants’ questions.
Preregistration is not necessary. The cost of $15 for adults and
$5 for students includes lunch and all program materials. For
more information on the conference, contact Lacefield at
270-365-7541, ext. 202 or Christi Forsythe at 270-365-7541, ext.
221.
UK College of Agriculture, through its land-grant mission,
reaches across the commonwealth with teaching, research and
extension to enhance the lives of Kentuckians. |
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