Cover the pile. Cover the silage pile with plastic.
The time and money spent on chopping silage for feed does not go unnoticed. But if the pile isn’t covered, the loss of feed will be noticeable. Even after the silage is packed correctly, air and water can penetrate the outer layers and severely damage the quality and quantity of silage. Additionally, molds, mycotoxins, and fungi have a prime place to grow in uncovered silage.
Stormy conditions have impacted crop fields across the state recently. With the potential for severe weather with us until the end of summer, what impact do strong storms and hail have on your alfalfa crop?
Strong storms, especially those that bring hail events, have the potential to completely strip and lodge alfalfa fields depending on their severity. The actual impact will vary depending on damage done, but alfalfa due to its growth form is particularly vulnerable to hail damage. Because alfalfa plants grow from the terminal or highest potion of the plant, any damage or defoliation can result in terminated growth and the plant having to start growth again from new shoots.
Dry conditions mean lower pasture production and difficult decisions ahead for producers. One option to consider is providing supplemental feed to stretch a pasture’s use. Can this management strategy save your pasture during a drought?
Cattle on drought impacted pasture face the double hit of low amounts of available forage as plants stop growth, and low quality as plants pull back nutrients in an effort to make it through tough times. In these conditions where plants have essentially gone dormant, a little excess grazing than what is normal can be tolerated
“I don’t like this!” This statement is one that children or youth might use during a heated game, when being asked to correct unwanted behavior or when plans change. For those children and youth who were looking forward to milestones like field days, end of school year celebrations, prom, or graduation, they have reason to believe that life can be sad, frustrating, and difficult.
